1
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Hokmabady L, Fani N. In silico elucidation of the interactions of thymoquinone analogues with phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN). J Mol Model 2022; 28:321. [DOI: 10.1007/s00894-022-05318-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2022] [Accepted: 08/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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2
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Prajapati C, Agrawal YO, Agnihotri VV, Mahajan UB, Patil KR, Patil DD, Patil CR. Development and biological evaluation of protective effect of kidney targeted N-acetylated chitosan nanoparticles containing thymoquinone for the treatment of DNA damage in cyclophosphamide-induced haemorrhagic cystitis. Int J Biol Macromol 2022; 214:391-401. [PMID: 35714868 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2022.06.070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2022] [Revised: 06/01/2022] [Accepted: 06/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Thymoquinone (TQ), the most prominent constituent of Nigella sativa seeds, essential oil, is reported to possess an organ protective effect via Nrf2 expression and activation of Phase-II antioxidant enzymes. Haemorrhagic cystitis is the sudden onset of haematuria combined with bladder pain and irritable bladder symptoms are the known toxic effects of cyclophosphamide (CYP) chemotherapy. The objective of the present study was to investigate and compare the protective effect of thymoquinone (TQ) and thymoquinone nanoparticles (TQ-NP) in the kidney against CYP-induced haemorrhagic cystitis. Primarily, TQ-NP was fabricated by synthesis of N-acetylated chitosan and nanoparticle preparation by the ionic gelation technique. They were characterized by particle size, polydispersive index (PDI), zeta potential, entrapment efficiency (EE), SEM, and dynamic scattering calorimetry (DSC). Moreover, fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) labeled NPs were prepared for biodistribution studies. The protective mechanisms of TQ-NP included its anti-inflammatory activity, inhibitory effects on cytokine levels, and protection against the DNA damage in the bladder epithelium. The cystitis was induced in rats by orally administering 200 mg/kg of CYP. The dose-dependent protective effect of the TQ-NP was determined by intravenously administering 1, 2, and 5 mg/kg of the TQ-NP to CYP-treated rats. The present study revealed that the TQ-NP prepared by ionic gelation method provides kidney targeted delivery of TQ as compared to TQ solution. The mean particle size, PDI, and %EE of TQ-NP were 272.6 nm, 0.216, 70.81 ± 0.12% respectively. The zeta potential of thymoquinone-loaded nanoparticles was found to be -20.7 mV and - 22.6 mV respectively before and after lyophilization. SEM study also confirmed the small size and spherical shape. Pharmacokinetic studies revealed the improvement in half-life and prolonged action of the TQ-NP as compared to the TQ solution. Also, TQ-NP administration showed more protection against the characteristic histological alterations in the bladder in comparison to TQ solution. The present study indicates that TQ-NP exerts potent anti-oxidant, DNA protective and cytokine inhibitory activity at considerably lower concentrations as compared to plain TQ solution. The nano formulation of TQ using N-acetylated chitosan provides effective kidney targeted delivery of TQ, which in turn improves its retention and protective efficacy against CYP-induced haemorrhagic cystitis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chaitali Prajapati
- Department of Pharmacology, R. C. Patel Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Dist. Dhule, Shirpur 425405, Maharashtra, India
| | - Yogeeta O Agrawal
- Shri Vile Parle Kelavani Mandal's Institute of Pharmacy, Dhule 424001, Maharashtra, India.
| | - Vinit V Agnihotri
- Shri Vile Parle Kelavani Mandal's Institute of Pharmacy, Dhule 424001, Maharashtra, India
| | - Umesh B Mahajan
- Department of Pharmacology, R. C. Patel Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Dist. Dhule, Shirpur 425405, Maharashtra, India
| | - Kalpesh R Patil
- Department of Pharmacology, R. C. Patel Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Dist. Dhule, Shirpur 425405, Maharashtra, India
| | - Dipak D Patil
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, H. R. Patel Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Dist. Dhule, Shirpur 425405, Maharashtra, India
| | - Chandragouda R Patil
- Department of Pharmacology, R. C. Patel Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Dist. Dhule, Shirpur 425405, Maharashtra, India.
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3
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Wei C, Zou H, Xiao T, Liu X, Wang Q, Cheng J, Fu S, Peng J, Xie X, Fu J. TQFL12, a novel synthetic derivative of TQ, inhibits triple-negative breast cancer metastasis and invasion through activating AMPK/ACC pathway. J Cell Mol Med 2021; 25:10101-10110. [PMID: 34609056 PMCID: PMC8572774 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.16945] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2021] [Revised: 08/26/2021] [Accepted: 09/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Thymoquinone (TQ) has been reported as an anti‐tumour drug widely studied in various tumours, and its mechanism and effect of which has become a focus of current research. However, previous studies from our laboratory and other groups found that TQ showed weak anti‐tumour effects in many cancer cell lines and animal models. Therefore, it is necessary to modify and optimize the structure of TQ to obtain new chemical entities with high efficiency and low toxicity as candidates for development of new drugs in treating cancer. Therefore, we designed and synthesized several TQ derivatives. Systematic analysis, including in vitro and in vivo, was conducted on a panel of triple‐negative breast cancer (TNBC) cells and mouse model to demonstrate whether TQFL12, a new TQ derivative, is more efficient than TQ. We found that the anti‐proliferative effect of TQFL12 against TNBC cells is significantly stronger than TQ. We also demonstrated TQFL12 affects different aspects in breast cancer development including cell proliferation, migration, invasion and apoptosis. Moreover, TQFL12 inhibited tumour growth and metastasis in cancer cell–derived xenograft mouse model, with less toxicity compared with TQ. Finally, mechanism research indicated that TQFL12 increased AMPK/ACC activity by stabilizing AMPKα, while molecular docking supported the direct interaction between TQFL12 and AMPKα. Taken together, our findings suggest that TQFL12, as a novel chemical entity, possesses a better inhibitory effect on TNBC cells and less toxicity in both in vitro and in vivo studies. As such, TQFL12 could serve as a potential therapeutic agent for breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunli Wei
- Key Laboratory of Epigenetics and Oncology, the Research Center for Preclinical Medicine, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Hui Zou
- Key Laboratory of Epigenetics and Oncology, the Research Center for Preclinical Medicine, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Study and Discovery of Small Targeted Molecules of Hunan Province, School of Medicine, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, China
| | - Ting Xiao
- Key Laboratory of Epigenetics and Oncology, the Research Center for Preclinical Medicine, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Xiaoyan Liu
- Key Laboratory of Epigenetics and Oncology, the Research Center for Preclinical Medicine, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Qianqian Wang
- Chronic Disease Research Center, Medical College, Dalian University, Dalian, China
| | - Jingliang Cheng
- Key Laboratory of Epigenetics and Oncology, the Research Center for Preclinical Medicine, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Shangyi Fu
- Human Genome Sequencing Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.,School of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Jiangzhou Peng
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xin Xie
- Department of Orthopedics, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.,Zhejiang University-University of Edinburgh Institute, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.,Dr. Li Dak Sum & Yip Yio Chin Center for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Junjiang Fu
- Key Laboratory of Epigenetics and Oncology, the Research Center for Preclinical Medicine, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
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4
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Konovalova SA, Avdeenko AP, Santalova AA. Synthesis of N,N′-Bis(arylsulfanyl)cyclohexa-2,5-diene-1,4-diimines and N,N′-(Cyclohexa-2,5-diene-1,4-diylidene)bis(arenesulfinamides). RUSSIAN JOURNAL OF ORGANIC CHEMISTRY 2021. [DOI: 10.1134/s1070428021040084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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5
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Talib WH, Alsalahat I, Daoud S, Abutayeh RF, Mahmod AI. Plant-Derived Natural Products in Cancer Research: Extraction, Mechanism of Action, and Drug Formulation. Molecules 2020; 25:E5319. [PMID: 33202681 PMCID: PMC7696819 DOI: 10.3390/molecules25225319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2020] [Revised: 11/10/2020] [Accepted: 11/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer is one of the main causes of death globally and considered as a major challenge for the public health system. The high toxicity and the lack of selectivity of conventional anticancer therapies make the search for alternative treatments a priority. In this review, we describe the main plant-derived natural products used as anticancer agents. Natural sources, extraction methods, anticancer mechanisms, clinical studies, and pharmaceutical formulation are discussed in this review. Studies covered by this review should provide a solid foundation for researchers and physicians to enhance basic and clinical research on developing alternative anticancer therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wamidh H. Talib
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics, Applied Science Private University, Amman 11931, Jordan;
| | - Izzeddin Alsalahat
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Pharmacognosy, Applied Science Private University, Amman 11931, Jordan; (I.A.); (S.D.); (R.F.A.)
| | - Safa Daoud
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Pharmacognosy, Applied Science Private University, Amman 11931, Jordan; (I.A.); (S.D.); (R.F.A.)
| | - Reem Fawaz Abutayeh
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Pharmacognosy, Applied Science Private University, Amman 11931, Jordan; (I.A.); (S.D.); (R.F.A.)
| | - Asma Ismail Mahmod
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics, Applied Science Private University, Amman 11931, Jordan;
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6
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n-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid Amides: New Avenues in the Prevention and Treatment of Breast Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21072279. [PMID: 32224850 PMCID: PMC7178041 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21072279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2020] [Revised: 03/23/2020] [Accepted: 03/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Over the last decades a renewed interest in n−3 very long polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), derived mainly from fish oils in the human diet, has been observed because of their potential effects against cancer diseases, including breast carcinoma. These n−3 PUFAs mainly consist of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) that, alone or in combination with anticancer agents, induce cell cycle arrest, autophagy, apoptosis, and tumor growth inhibition. A large number of molecular targets of n−3 PUFAs have been identified and multiple mechanisms appear to underlie their antineoplastic activities. Evidence exists that EPA and DHA also elicit anticancer effects by the conversion to their corresponding ethanolamide derivatives in cancer cells, by binding and activation of different receptors and distinct signaling pathways. Other conjugates with serotonin or dopamine have been found to exert anti-inflammatory activities in breast tumor microenvironment, indicating the importance of these compounds as modulators of tumor epithelial/stroma interplay. The objective of this review is to provide a general overview and an update of the current n−3 PUFA derivative research and to highlight intriguing aspects of the potential therapeutic benefits of these low-toxicity compounds in breast cancer treatment and care.
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7
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Bismuth-catalyzed methylation and alkylation of quinone derivatives with tert-butyl peroxybenzoate as an oxidant. Tetrahedron 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tet.2019.130729] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
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8
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Galloway JD, Mai DN, Baxter RD. Radical Benzylation of Quinones via C–H Abstraction. J Org Chem 2019; 84:12131-12137. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.joc.9b01004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Jordan D. Galloway
- Department of Chemistry, Chemical Biology, University of California, 5200 North Lake Road, Merced, California 95343, United States
| | - Duy N. Mai
- Department of Chemistry, Chemical Biology, University of California, 5200 North Lake Road, Merced, California 95343, United States
| | - Ryan D. Baxter
- Department of Chemistry, Chemical Biology, University of California, 5200 North Lake Road, Merced, California 95343, United States
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9
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Glamočlija U, Padhye S, Špirtović-Halilović S, Osmanović A, Veljović E, Roca S, Novaković I, Mandić B, Turel I, Kljun J, Trifunović S, Kahrović E, Kraljević Pavelić S, Harej A, Klobučar M, Završnik D. Synthesis, Biological Evaluation and Docking Studies of Benzoxazoles Derived from Thymoquinone. Molecules 2018; 23:molecules23123297. [PMID: 30545123 PMCID: PMC6321291 DOI: 10.3390/molecules23123297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2018] [Revised: 11/30/2018] [Accepted: 12/02/2018] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Thymoquinone (TQ), a natural compound with antimicrobial and antitumor activity, was used as the starting molecule for the preparation of 3-aminothymoquinone (ATQ) from which ten novel benzoxazole derivatives were prepared and characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry and NMR (1H, 13C) spectroscopy in solution. The crystal structure of 4-methyl-2-phenyl-7-isopropyl-1,3-benzoxazole-5-ol (1a) has been determined by X-ray diffraction. All compounds were tested for their antibacterial, antifungal and antitumor activities. TQ and ATQ showed better antibacterial activity against tested Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial strains than benzoxazoles. ATQ had the most potent antifungal effect against Candida albicans, Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Aspergillus brasiliensis. Three benzoxazole derivatives and ATQ showed the highest antitumor activities. The most potent was 2-(4-fluorophenyl)-4-methyl-7-isopropyl-1,3-benzoxazole-5-ol (1f). Western blot analyses have shown that this compound inhibited phosphorylation of protein kinase B (Akt) and Insulin-like Growth Factor-1 Receptor (IGF1R β) in HeLa and HepG2 cells. The least toxic compound against normal fibroblast cells, which maintains similar antitumor activities as TQ, was 2-(4-chlorophenyl)-4-methyl-7-isopropyl-1,3-benzoxazole-5-ol (1e). Docking studies indicated that 1e and 1f have significant effects against selected receptors playing important roles in tumour survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Una Glamočlija
- Scientific Research Department, Bosnalijek JSC, Jukićeva 53, 71000 Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
- School of Medicine, University of Mostar, Bijeli Brijeg bb, 88000 Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
- Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Sarajevo, Zmaja od Bosne 8, 71000 Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
| | - Subhash Padhye
- Interdisciplinary Science and Technology Research Academy, University of Pune, 2390-B, Hidayatullah Road, 411001 Pune, India.
| | - Selma Špirtović-Halilović
- Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Sarajevo, Zmaja od Bosne 8, 71000 Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
| | - Amar Osmanović
- Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Sarajevo, Zmaja od Bosne 8, 71000 Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
| | - Elma Veljović
- Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Sarajevo, Zmaja od Bosne 8, 71000 Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
| | - Sunčica Roca
- NMR Centre, Ruđer Bošković Institute, Bijenička cesta 54, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia.
| | - Irena Novaković
- ICTM, Center for Chemistry, University of Belgrade, Njegoševa 12, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia.
| | - Boris Mandić
- Faculty of Chemistry, University of Belgrade, Studentski trg 12-16, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia.
| | - Iztok Turel
- Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Technology, University of Ljubljana, Večna pot 113, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.
| | - Jakob Kljun
- Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Technology, University of Ljubljana, Večna pot 113, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.
| | - Snežana Trifunović
- Faculty of Chemistry, University of Belgrade, Studentski trg 12-16, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia.
| | - Emira Kahrović
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Sarajevo, Zmaja od Bosne 35, 71000 Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
| | - Sandra Kraljević Pavelić
- Centre for High-throughput Technologies, Department of Biotechnology, University of Rijeka, Radmile Matejčić 2, 51000 Rijeka, Croatia.
| | - Anja Harej
- Centre for High-throughput Technologies, Department of Biotechnology, University of Rijeka, Radmile Matejčić 2, 51000 Rijeka, Croatia.
| | - Marko Klobučar
- Centre for High-throughput Technologies, Department of Biotechnology, University of Rijeka, Radmile Matejčić 2, 51000 Rijeka, Croatia.
| | - Davorka Završnik
- Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Sarajevo, Zmaja od Bosne 8, 71000 Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
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10
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Fröhlich T, Reiter C, Saeed MEM, Hutterer C, Hahn F, Leidenberger M, Friedrich O, Kappes B, Marschall M, Efferth T, Tsogoeva SB. Synthesis of Thymoquinone-Artemisinin Hybrids: New Potent Antileukemia, Antiviral, and Antimalarial Agents. ACS Med Chem Lett 2018; 9:534-539. [PMID: 29937978 DOI: 10.1021/acsmedchemlett.7b00412] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2017] [Accepted: 12/21/2017] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
A series of hybrid compounds based on the natural products artemisinin and thymoquinone was synthesized and investigated for their biological activity against the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum 3D7 strain, human cytomegalovirus (HCMV), and two leukemia cell lines (drug-sensitive CCRF-CEM and multidrug-resistant subline CEM/ADR5000). An unprecedented one-pot method of selective formation of C-10α-acetate 14 starting from a 1:1 mixture of C-10α- to C-10β-dihydroartemisinin was developed. The key step of this facile method is a mild decarboxylative activation of malonic acid mediated by DCC/DMAP. Ether-linked thymoquinone-artemisinin hybrids 6a/b stood out as the most active compounds in all categories, while showing no toxic side effects toward healthy human foreskin fibroblasts and thus being selective. They exhibited EC50 values of 0.2 μM against the doxorubicin-sensitive as well as the multidrug-resistant leukemia cells and therefore can be regarded as superior to doxorubicin. Moreover, they showed to be five times more active than the standard drug ganciclovir and nearly eight times more active than artesunic acid against HCMV. In addition, hybrids 6a/b possessed excellent antimalarial activity (EC50 = 5.9/3.7 nM), which was better than that of artesunic acid (EC50 = 8.2 nM) and chloroquine (EC50 = 9.8 nM). Overall, most of the presented thymoquinone-artemisinin-based hybrids exhibit an excellent and broad variety of biological activities (anticancer, antimalarial, and antiviral) combined with a low toxicity/high selectivity profile.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tony Fröhlich
- Organic Chemistry Chair I and Interdisciplinary Center for Molecular Materials (ICMM), Friedrich-Alexander University of Erlangen-Nürnberg, Nikolaus-Fiebiger-Straße 10, 91058 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Christoph Reiter
- Organic Chemistry Chair I and Interdisciplinary Center for Molecular Materials (ICMM), Friedrich-Alexander University of Erlangen-Nürnberg, Nikolaus-Fiebiger-Straße 10, 91058 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Mohamed E. M. Saeed
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biology, Institute of Pharmacy and Biochemistry, University of Mainz, Staudinger Weg 5, 55128 Mainz, Germany
| | - Corina Hutterer
- Institute for Clinical and Molecular Virology, Friedrich-Alexander University of Erlangen-Nürnberg, Schlossgarten 4, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Friedrich Hahn
- Institute for Clinical and Molecular Virology, Friedrich-Alexander University of Erlangen-Nürnberg, Schlossgarten 4, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Maria Leidenberger
- Institute of Medical Biotechnology, Friedrich-Alexander University of Erlangen-Nürnberg, Paul-Gordon-Straße 3, 91052 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Oliver Friedrich
- Institute of Medical Biotechnology, Friedrich-Alexander University of Erlangen-Nürnberg, Paul-Gordon-Straße 3, 91052 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Barbara Kappes
- Institute of Medical Biotechnology, Friedrich-Alexander University of Erlangen-Nürnberg, Paul-Gordon-Straße 3, 91052 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Manfred Marschall
- Institute for Clinical and Molecular Virology, Friedrich-Alexander University of Erlangen-Nürnberg, Schlossgarten 4, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Thomas Efferth
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biology, Institute of Pharmacy and Biochemistry, University of Mainz, Staudinger Weg 5, 55128 Mainz, Germany
| | - Svetlana B. Tsogoeva
- Organic Chemistry Chair I and Interdisciplinary Center for Molecular Materials (ICMM), Friedrich-Alexander University of Erlangen-Nürnberg, Nikolaus-Fiebiger-Straße 10, 91058 Erlangen, Germany
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11
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Hatiboglu MA, Kocyigit A, Guler EM, Akdur K, Nalli A, Karatas E, Tuzgen S. Thymoquinone Induces Apoptosis in B16-F10 Melanoma Cell Through Inhibition of p-STAT3 and Inhibits Tumor Growth in a Murine Intracerebral Melanoma Model. World Neurosurg 2018; 114:e182-e190. [DOI: 10.1016/j.wneu.2018.02.136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2017] [Accepted: 02/23/2018] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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12
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Johnson-Ajinwo OR, Ullah I, Mbye H, Richardson A, Horrocks P, Li WW. The synthesis and evaluation of thymoquinone analogues as anti-ovarian cancer and antimalarial agents. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2018.02.051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
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13
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Majdalawieh AF, Fayyad MW, Nasrallah GK. Anti-cancer properties and mechanisms of action of thymoquinone, the major active ingredient of Nigella sativa. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr 2018; 57:3911-3928. [PMID: 28140613 DOI: 10.1080/10408398.2016.1277971] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Over the past two decades, studies have documented the wide-range anti-cancer effects of Nigella sativa, known as black seed or black cumin. Thymoquinone (TQ), its major active ingredient, has also been extensively studied and reported to possess potent anti-cancer properties. Herein, we provide a comprehensive review of the findings related to the anti-cancer activity of TQ. The review focuses on analyzing experimental studies performed using different in vitro and in vivo models to identify the anti-proliferative, pro-apoptotic, anti-oxidant, cytotoxic, anti-metastatic, and NK-dependent cytotoxic effects exerted by TQ. In addition, we pinpoint the molecular mechanisms underlying these effects and the signal transduction pathways implicated by TQ. Our analysis show that p53, NF-κB, PPARγ, STAT3, MAPK, and PI3K/AKT signaling pathways are among the most significant pathways through which TQ mediates its anti-cancer activity. Experimental findings and recent advances in the field highlight TQ as an effective therapeutic agent for the suppression of tumor development, growth and metastasis for a wide range of tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amin F Majdalawieh
- a Department of Biology, Chemistry and Environmental Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences , American University of Sharjah , Sharjah , United Arab Emirates
| | - Muneera W Fayyad
- a Department of Biology, Chemistry and Environmental Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences , American University of Sharjah , Sharjah , United Arab Emirates
| | - Gheyath K Nasrallah
- b Department of Biomedical Science, College of Health Sciences , Qatar University , Doha , Qatar.,c Biomedical Research Center , Qatar University , Doha , Qatar
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14
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Galloway JD, Mai DN, Baxter RD. Silver-Catalyzed Minisci Reactions Using Selectfluor as a Mild Oxidant. Org Lett 2017; 19:5772-5775. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.orglett.7b02706] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Jordan D. Galloway
- Department of Chemistry,
Chemical Biology, University of California, 5200 North Lake Road, Merced, California 95343, United States
| | - Duy N. Mai
- Department of Chemistry,
Chemical Biology, University of California, 5200 North Lake Road, Merced, California 95343, United States
| | - Ryan D. Baxter
- Department of Chemistry,
Chemical Biology, University of California, 5200 North Lake Road, Merced, California 95343, United States
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15
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Fröhlich T, Ndreshkjana B, Muenzner JK, Reiter C, Hofmeister E, Mederer S, Fatfat M, El-Baba C, Gali-Muhtasib H, Schneider-Stock R, Tsogoeva SB. Synthesis of Novel Hybrids of Thymoquinone and Artemisinin with High Activity and Selectivity Against Colon Cancer. ChemMedChem 2017; 12:226-234. [PMID: 27973725 DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.201600594] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2016] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Colorectal cancer causes 0.5 million deaths each year. To combat this type of cancer the development of new specific drug candidates is urgently needed. In the present work seven novel thymoquinone-artemisinin hybrids with different linkers were synthesized and tested for their in vitro anticancer activity against a panel of various tumor cell lines. The thymoquinone-artesunic acid hybrid 7 a, in which both subunits are connected via an ester bond, was found to be the most active compound and selectively decreased the viability of colorectal cancer cells with an IC50 value of 2.4 μm (HCT116) and 2.8 μm (HT29). Remarkably, hybrid 7 a was up to 20-fold more active than its parent compounds (thymoquinone and artesunic acid), while not affecting nonmalignant colon epithelial HCEC cells (IC50 >100 μm). Moreover, the activity of hybrid 7 a was superior to that of various 1:1 mixtures of thymoquinone and artesunic acid. Furthermore, hybrid 7 a was even more potent against both colon cancer cell lines than the clinically used drug 5-fluorouracil. These results are another excellent proof of the hybridization concept and confirm that the type and length of the linker play a crucial role for the biological activity of a hybrid drug. Besides an increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS), elevated levels of the DNA-damage marker γ-H2AX were observed. Both effects seem to be involved in the molecular mechanism of action for hybrid 7 a in colorectal cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tony Fröhlich
- Organic Chemistry Chair I and Interdisciplinary Center for Molecular Materials (ICMM), Friedrich Alexander University of Erlangen-Nürnberg, Henkestr. 42, 91054, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Benardina Ndreshkjana
- Experimental Tumor Pathology, Institute of Pathology, Friedrich Alexander University of Erlangen-Nürnberg, Universitätsstr. 22, 91054, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Julienne K Muenzner
- Experimental Tumor Pathology, Institute of Pathology, Friedrich Alexander University of Erlangen-Nürnberg, Universitätsstr. 22, 91054, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Christoph Reiter
- Organic Chemistry Chair I and Interdisciplinary Center for Molecular Materials (ICMM), Friedrich Alexander University of Erlangen-Nürnberg, Henkestr. 42, 91054, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Elisabeth Hofmeister
- Organic Chemistry Chair I and Interdisciplinary Center for Molecular Materials (ICMM), Friedrich Alexander University of Erlangen-Nürnberg, Henkestr. 42, 91054, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Sandra Mederer
- Experimental Tumor Pathology, Institute of Pathology, Friedrich Alexander University of Erlangen-Nürnberg, Universitätsstr. 22, 91054, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Maamoun Fatfat
- Department of Biology, Department of Anatomy, Cell Biology and Physiological Science, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Chirine El-Baba
- Experimental Tumor Pathology, Institute of Pathology, Friedrich Alexander University of Erlangen-Nürnberg, Universitätsstr. 22, 91054, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Hala Gali-Muhtasib
- Department of Biology, Department of Anatomy, Cell Biology and Physiological Science, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Regine Schneider-Stock
- Experimental Tumor Pathology, Institute of Pathology, Friedrich Alexander University of Erlangen-Nürnberg, Universitätsstr. 22, 91054, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Svetlana B Tsogoeva
- Organic Chemistry Chair I and Interdisciplinary Center for Molecular Materials (ICMM), Friedrich Alexander University of Erlangen-Nürnberg, Henkestr. 42, 91054, Erlangen, Germany
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Abdelazeem AH, Mohamed YMA, Gouda AM, Omar HA, Al Robaian MM. Novel Thymohydroquinone Derivatives as Potential Anticancer Agents: Design, Synthesis, and Biological Screening. Aust J Chem 2016. [DOI: 10.1071/ch16102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
The safety and efficacy of naturally occurring anticancer agents and their derivatives such as thymoquinone (TQ) and thymohydroquinone (THQ) have gained a rapidly growing interest. In an attempt to develop novel anticancer agents with superior activity, TQ was allowed to react with hydrazine hydrate, producing hydrazino thymohydroquinone 3. This new intermediate was subsequently reacted with various isocyanates, isothiocyanates, and acyl halides, affording three series of semicarbazone, semithiocarbazone, and acyl hydrazone derivatives, respectively. Subsequently, the anticancer activity of all the newly synthesised compounds against a panel of cancer cell lines was evaluated. Initial screening of the ability of the test compounds to inhibit cancer cell viability using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazolyl-2)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay revealed that compounds 5d and 6 exerted better activity against breast cancer than TQ, with half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) values of 9.6 and 10.0 μM, respectively. MTT results were confirmed by the ability of these compounds to elicit apoptotic cell death through the activation of caspase 3/7 enzymes. Together, the present work provided a novel class of THQ-based derivatives with potent anticancer and apoptosis properties, thereby warranting further optimisation of these derivatives as novel members in cancer treatment protocols.
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Zobel M, Schäfer HJ. Synthesis of fatty acid conjugates with phenols, carbohydrates, amines, and CH‐acidic compounds by Pd(0)‐catalyzed allylic substitution. EUR J LIPID SCI TECH 2016. [DOI: 10.1002/ejlt.201500195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Michael Zobel
- Organisch‐Chemisches Institut der Westfälischen Wilhelms‐UniversitätMünsterGermany
| | - Hans J. Schäfer
- Organisch‐Chemisches Institut der Westfälischen Wilhelms‐UniversitätMünsterGermany
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Ahmad A, Husain A, Mujeeb M, Khan SA, Najmi AK, Siddique NA, Damanhouri ZA, Anwar F. A review on therapeutic potential of Nigella sativa: A miracle herb. Asian Pac J Trop Biomed 2015; 3:337-52. [PMID: 23646296 DOI: 10.1016/s2221-1691(13)60075-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 580] [Impact Index Per Article: 64.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2013] [Accepted: 04/18/2013] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Nigella sativa (N. sativa) (Family Ranunculaceae) is a widely used medicinal plant throughout the world. It is very popular in various traditional systems of medicine like Unani and Tibb, Ayurveda and Siddha. Seeds and oil have a long history of folklore usage in various systems of medicines and food. The seeds of N. sativa have been widely used in the treatment of different diseases and ailments. In Islamic literature, it is considered as one of the greatest forms of healing medicine. It has been recommended for using on regular basis in Tibb-e-Nabwi (Prophetic Medicine). It has been widely used as antihypertensive, liver tonics, diuretics, digestive, anti-diarrheal, appetite stimulant, analgesics, anti-bacterial and in skin disorders. Extensive studies on N. sativa have been carried out by various researchers and a wide spectrum of its pharmacological actions have been explored which may include antidiabetic, anticancer, immunomodulator, analgesic, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, spasmolytic, bronchodilator, hepato-protective, renal protective, gastro-protective, antioxidant properties, etc. Due to its miraculous power of healing, N. sativa has got the place among the top ranked evidence based herbal medicines. This is also revealed that most of the therapeutic properties of this plant are due to the presence of thymoquinone which is major bioactive component of the essential oil. The present review is an effort to provide a detailed survey of the literature on scientific researches of pharmacognostical characteristics, chemical composition and pharmacological activities of the seeds of this plant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aftab Ahmad
- Health Information Technology Department, Jeddah Community College, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah-21589, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
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Abukhader MM. Thymoquinone in the clinical treatment of cancer: Fact or fiction? Pharmacogn Rev 2014; 7:117-20. [PMID: 24347919 PMCID: PMC3841989 DOI: 10.4103/0973-7847.120509] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2013] [Revised: 04/05/2013] [Accepted: 10/25/2013] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Thymoquinone (TQ) is the bioactive phytochemical constituent of the seeds oil of Nigella sativa. In vitro and in vivo research has thoroughly investigated the anticancer effects of TQ against several cancer cell lines and animal models. As a result, a considerable amount of information has been generated from research thus providing a better understanding of the anti-proliferating activity of this compound. Therefore, it is appropriate that TQ should move from testing on the bench to clinical experiments. The purpose of this review is to highlight the potential of TQ as an anticancer agent and the chances of this compound in the clinical treatment of cancer, with special attention on breast cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Majed M Abukhader
- Department of Pharmacy, Oman Medical College, Muscat, Sultanate of Oman
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Kundu J, Chun KS, Aruoma OI, Kundu JK. Mechanistic perspectives on cancer chemoprevention/chemotherapeutic effects of thymoquinone. Mutat Res 2014; 768:22-34. [PMID: 25847385 DOI: 10.1016/j.mrfmmm.2014.05.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2014] [Accepted: 05/20/2014] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
The bioactive natural products (plant secondary metabolites) are widely known to possess therapeutic value for the prevention and treatment of various chronic diseases including cancer. Thymoquinone (2-methyl-5-isopropyl-1,4-benzoquinone; TQ), a monoterpene present in black cumin seeds, exhibits pleiotropic pharmacological activities including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic and antitumor effects. TQ inhibits experimental carcinogenesis in a wide range of animal models and has been shown to arrest the growth of various cancer cells in culture as well as xenograft tumors in vivo. The mechanistic basis of anticancer effects of TQ includes the inhibition of carcinogen metabolizing enzyme activity and oxidative damage of cellular macromolecules, attenuation of inflammation, induction of cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in tumor cells, blockade of tumor angiogenesis, and suppression of migration, invasion and metastasis of cancer cells. TQ shows synergistic and/or potentiating anticancer effects when combined with clinically used chemotherapeutic agents. At the molecular level, TQ targets various components of intracellular signaling pathways, particularly a variety of upstream kinases and transcription factors, which are aberrantly activated during the course of tumorigenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juthika Kundu
- College of Pharmacy, Keimyung University, Daegu 704 701, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyung-Soo Chun
- College of Pharmacy, Keimyung University, Daegu 704 701, Republic of Korea
| | - Okezie I Aruoma
- School of Pharmacy, American University of Health Sciences, Signal Hill, CA 90755, USA.
| | - Joydeb Kumar Kundu
- College of Pharmacy, Keimyung University, Daegu 704 701, Republic of Korea.
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Therapeutic Implications of Black Seed and Its Constituent Thymoquinone in the Prevention of Cancer through Inactivation and Activation of Molecular Pathways. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE 2014; 2014:724658. [PMID: 24959190 PMCID: PMC4052177 DOI: 10.1155/2014/724658] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2014] [Revised: 02/26/2014] [Accepted: 04/16/2014] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
The cancer is probably the most dreaded disease in both men and women and also major health problem worldwide. Despite its high prevalence, the exact molecular mechanisms of the development and progression are not fully understood. The current chemotherapy/radiotherapy regime used to treat cancer shows adverse side effect and may alter gene functions. Natural products are generally safe, effective, and less expensive substitutes of anticancer chemotherapeutics. Based on previous studies of their potential therapeutic uses, Nigella sativa and its constituents may be proved as good therapeutic options in the prevention of cancer. Black seeds are used as staple food in the Middle Eastern Countries for thousands of years and also in the treatment of diseases. Earlier studies have shown that N. sativa and its constituent thymoquinone (TQ) have important roles in the prevention and treatment of cancer by modulating cell signaling pathways. In this review, we summarize the role of N. sativa and its constituents TQ in the prevention of cancer through the activation or inactivation of molecular cell signaling pathways.
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Serini S, Fasano E, Celleno L, Cittadini A, Calviello G. Potential of long-chain n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in melanoma prevention. Nutr Rev 2014; 72:255-66. [PMID: 24665956 DOI: 10.1111/nure.12093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The possible antineoplastic activity of dietary long-chain n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC n-3 PUFAs) has been supported by ample preclinical studies that have identified a number of molecular factors and pathways affected by these fatty acids and involved in cell growth, apoptosis, invasion, and angiogenesis. The aim of this critical review is to assess the current state of knowledge on the potential anticancer effects of LC n-3 PUFAs against malignant melanoma, one of the most common cancers among Western populations. The results of preclinical as well as human observational and interventional studies investigating the effects of LC n-3 PUFAs in melanoma were examined. Overall, the analysis of the literature reveals that, even though a large body of information is available, further effort is needed to identify the main molecular targets of LC n-3 PUFAs in melanoma. Moreover, additional well-designed human observational studies are essential to shed further light on the issue. The results of these studies could provide support and specific information for the development of clinical studies, especially those performed in combination with conventional or innovative antineoplastic therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simona Serini
- Institute of General Pathology, Catholic University, Rome, Italy
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Yusufi M, Banerjee S, Mohammad M, Khatal S, Venkateswara Swamy K, Khan EM, Aboukameel A, Sarkar FH, Padhye S. Synthesis, characterization and anti-tumor activity of novel thymoquinone analogs against pancreatic cancer. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2013; 23:3101-4. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2013.03.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2013] [Revised: 02/25/2013] [Accepted: 03/01/2013] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
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Zhu S, Wonganan P, Lansakara-P DSP, O'Mary HL, Li Y, Cui Z. The effect of the acid-sensitivity of 4-(N)-stearoyl gemcitabine-loaded micelles on drug resistance caused by RRM1 overexpression. Biomaterials 2012; 34:2327-39. [PMID: 23261218 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2012.11.053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2012] [Accepted: 11/27/2012] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Chemoresistance is a major issue for most gemcitabine-related chemotherapies. The overexpression of ribonucleotide reductase subunit M1 (RRM1) plays a key role in gemcitabine resistance. In this study, we synthesized a new highly acid-sensitive amphiphilic micelle material by conjugating hydrophilic polyethylene glycol with a hydrophobic stearic acid derivative (C18) using a hydrazone bond, which was named as PHC-2. A lipophilic prodrug of gemcitabine, 4-(N)-stearoyl gemcitabine (GemC18), was loaded into micelles prepared with PHC-2, a previously synthesized less acid-sensitive PHC-1, and their acid-insensitive counterpart, PAC. GemC18 loaded in acid-sensitive micelles can overcome gemcitabine resistance, and GemC18 in the highly acid-sensitive PHC-2 micelles was more cytotoxic than in the less acid-sensitive PHC-1 micelles. Mechanistic studies revealed that upon cellular uptake and lysosomal delivery, GemC18 in the acid-sensitive micelles was released and hydrolyzed more efficiently. Furthermore, GemC18 loaded in the highly acid-sensitive PHC-2 micelles inhibited the expression of RRM1 and increased the level of gemcitabine triphosphate (dFdCTP) in gemcitabine resistant tumor cells. The strategy of delivering lipophilized nucleoside analogs using highly acid-sensitive micelles may represent a new platform technology to increase the antitumor activity of nucleoside analogs and to overcome tumor cell resistance to them.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saijie Zhu
- The University of Texas at Austin, College of Pharmacy, Pharmaceutics Division, Austin, TX 78712, United States
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Randhawa MA, Alghamdi MS. Anticancer activity of Nigella sativa (black seed) - a review. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF CHINESE MEDICINE 2012; 39:1075-91. [PMID: 22083982 DOI: 10.1142/s0192415x1100941x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 120] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Nigella sativa (N. sativa) seed has been an important nutritional flavoring agent and natural remedy for many ailments for centuries in ancient systems of medicine, e.g. Unani, Ayurveda, Chinese and Arabic Medicines. Many active components have been isolated from N. sativa, including thymoquinone, thymohydroquinone, dithymoquinone, thymol, carvacrol, nigellimine-N-oxide, nigellicine, nigellidine and alpha-hederin. In addition, quite a few pharmacological effects of N. sativa seed, its oil, various extracts and active components have been identified to include immune stimulation, anti-inflammation, hypoglycemic, antihypertensive, antiasthmatic, antimicrobial, antiparasitic, antioxidant and anticancer effects. Only a few authors have reviewed the medicinal properties of N. sativa and given some description of the anticancer effects. A literature search has revealed that a lot more studies have been recently carried out related to the anticancer activities of N. sativa and some of its active compounds, such as thymoquinone and alpha-hederin. Acute and chronic toxicity studies have recently confirmed the safety of N. sativa oil and its most abundant active component, thymoquinone, particularly when given orally. The present work is aimed at summarizing the extremely valuable work done by various investigators on the effects of N. sativa seed, its extracts and active principles against cancer. Those related to the underlying mechanism of action, derivatives of thymoquinone, nano thymoquinone and combinations of thymoquinone with the currently used cytotoxic drugs are of particular interest. We hope this review will encourage interested researchers to conduct further preclinical and clinical studies to evaluate the anticancer activities of N. sativa, its active constituents and their derivatives.
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Woo CC, Kumar AP, Sethi G, Tan KHB. Thymoquinone: potential cure for inflammatory disorders and cancer. Biochem Pharmacol 2011; 83:443-51. [PMID: 22005518 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2011.09.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 312] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2011] [Revised: 09/29/2011] [Accepted: 09/30/2011] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Thymoquinone is an active ingredient isolated from Nigella sativa and has been investigated for its anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory and anticancer activities in both in vitro and in vivo models since its first extraction in 1960s. Its anti-oxidant/anti-inflammatory effect has been reported in various disease models, including encephalomyelitis, diabetes, asthma and carcinogenesis. Moreover, thymoquinone could act as a free radical and superoxide radical scavenger, as well as preserving the activity of various anti-oxidant enzymes such as catalase, glutathione peroxidase and glutathione-S-transferase. The anticancer effect(s) of thymoquinone are mediated through different modes of action, including anti-proliferation, apoptosis induction, cell cycle arrest, ROS generation and anti-metastasis/anti-angiogenesis. In addition, this quinone was found to exhibit anticancer activity through the modulation of multiple molecular targets, including p53, p73, PTEN, STAT3, PPAR-γ, activation of caspases and generation of ROS. The anti-tumor effects of thymoquinone have also been investigated in tumor xenograft mice models for colon, prostate, pancreatic and lung cancer. The combination of thymoquinone and conventional chemotherapeutic drugs could produce greater therapeutic effect as well as reduce the toxicity of the latter. In this review, we summarize the anti-oxidant/anti-inflammatory and anticancer effects of thymoquinone with a focus on its molecular targets, and its possible role in the treatment of inflammatory diseases and cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chern Chiuh Woo
- Department of Pharmacology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117597, Singapore
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Effenberger-Neidnicht K, Breyer S, Mahal K, Diestel R, Sasse F, Schobert R. Cellular Localisation of Antitumoral 6-Alkyl Thymoquinones Revealed by an Alkyne-Azide Click Reaction and the Streptavidin-Biotin System. Chembiochem 2011; 12:1237-41. [DOI: 10.1002/cbic.201000762] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2010] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
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Synthesis, anticancer activity, and iron affinity of the Actinoplanes metabolite 7,8-dihydroxy-1-methylnaphtho[2,3-c]furan-4,9-dione. Bioorg Med Chem 2011; 19:1264-7. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2010.12.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2010] [Revised: 12/01/2010] [Accepted: 12/04/2010] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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Effenberger-Neidnicht K, Schobert R. Combinatorial effects of thymoquinone on the anti-cancer activity of doxorubicin. Cancer Chemother Pharmacol 2010; 67:867-74. [PMID: 20582416 DOI: 10.1007/s00280-010-1386-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 94] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2010] [Accepted: 06/07/2010] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Doxorubicin is a mainstay of cancer chemotherapy despite its clinical limitations that arise from its cardiotoxicity and the high incidence of multi-drug resistance. Recent studies revealed a protective effect of thymoquinone, a non-toxic constituent of the essential oil of Nigella sativa, against doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity. We now investigated the influence of thymoquinone on various other effects exerted by doxorubicin in human cancer cells. METHODS Doxorubicin, thymoquinone and equimolar mixtures of both were tested for cytotoxicity on human cells of HL-60 leukaemia, 518A2 melanoma, HT-29 colon, KB-V1 cervix, and MCF-7 breast carcinomas as well as multi-drug-resistant variants thereof and on non-malignant human fibroblasts (HF). Apoptosis induction was analysed via DNA fragmentation, activity studies of the caspases-3, -8 and -9, determination of changes in the mitochondrial membrane potential and in the ratio of the mRNA expressions of pro- and anti-apoptotic proteins bax and bcl-2. The generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) was assessed by the NBT assay. RESULTS Thymoquinone improved the anti-cancer properties of doxorubicin in a cell line-specific manner. We found a significant rise of the growth inhibition by doxorubicin in HL-60 and multi-drug-resistant MCF-7/TOPO cells when thymoquinone had been added. The mode of action of both drugs and of their mixture was mainly apoptotic. In HL-60 cells, the drug mixture caused an additional concentration maximum of effector caspase-3 not observed for either of the pure drugs. The impact of the drug mixture on the mitochondria of HL-60 cells was also greater than those of the individual quinones alone. In addition, the drug mixture led to a higher concentration of reactive oxygen species in HL-60 cells. CONCLUSIONS In summary, thymoquinone is a booster for the anti-cancer effect of doxorubicin in certain cancer cell lines. Distinct improvements on efficacy, selectivity, and even breaches of multi-drug resistance were observed for equimolar mixtures of doxorubicin and thymoquinone.
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Modulation of doxorubicin activity in cancer cells by conjugation with fatty acyl and terpenyl hydrazones. Eur J Med Chem 2010; 45:1947-54. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2010.01.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2009] [Accepted: 01/16/2010] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
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Wirries A, Breyer S, Quint K, Schobert R, Ocker M. Thymoquinone hydrazone derivatives cause cell cycle arrest in p53-competent colorectal cancer cells. Exp Ther Med 2010; 1:369-375. [PMID: 22993551 DOI: 10.3892/etm_00000058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2009] [Accepted: 12/08/2009] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Thymoquinone (TQ), the major compound of black seed oil, has been shown to induce pro-apoptotic signaling pathways in various human cancer models. Although TQ is commonly used in traditional medicine, its use in humans is limited due to its chemical properties and poor membrane penetration capacity. We therefore attached saturated and unsaturated fatty acid residues to TQ and evaluated the effect on cell proliferation, apoptosis and underlying signaling pathways in HCT116 and HCT116(p53-/-) colon cancer and HepG2 hepatoma cells in vitro. Treatment with thymoquinone-4-α-linolenoylhydrazone (TQ-H-10) or thymoquinone-4-palmitoylhydrazone (TQ-H-11) induced a cytostatic effect, particularly in p53-competent HCT116 cells, mediated by an up-regulation of p21(cip1/waf1) and a down-regulation of cyclin E, and associated with an S/G(2) arrest of the cell cycle. Cells lacking p53 (HCT116(p53-/-)) or HepG2 liver cancer cells showed only a minor response to TQ-H-10. These findings demonstrate that derivatives of TQ inhibit cell proliferation dependent on p53 status by activating the cell cycle inhibitor p21(cip1/waf1) at lower concentrations than unmodified TQ. Structural modifications can therefore contribute to the further clinical development of TQ.
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Affiliation(s)
- André Wirries
- Department of Medicine 1, University Hospital Erlangen, 91054 Erlangen
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Effenberger K, Breyer S, Schobert R. Terpene Conjugates of theNigella sativaSeed-Oil Constituent Thymoquinone with Enhanced Efficacy in Cancer Cells. Chem Biodivers 2010; 7:129-39. [DOI: 10.1002/cbdv.200900328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
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