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Marchesi E, Perrone D, Navacchia ML. Molecular Hybridization as a Strategy for Developing Artemisinin-Derived Anticancer Candidates. Pharmaceutics 2023; 15:2185. [PMID: 37765156 PMCID: PMC10536797 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15092185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2023] [Revised: 07/21/2023] [Accepted: 08/22/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Artemisinin is a natural compound extracted from Artemisia species belonging to the Asteraceae family. Currently, artemisinin and its derivatives are considered among the most significant small-molecule antimalarial drugs. Artemisinin and its derivatives have also been shown to possess selective anticancer properties, however, there are several limitations and gaps in knowledge that retard their repurposing as effective anticancer agents. Hybridization resulting from a covalent combination of artemisinin with one or more active pharmacophores has emerged as a promising approach to overcome several issues. The variety of hybridization partners allows improvement in artemisinin activity by tuning the ability of conjugated artemisinin to interact with various molecule targets involved in multiple biological pathways. This review highlights the current scenario of artemisinin-derived hybrids with potential anticancer activity. The synthetic approaches to achieve the corresponding hybrids and the structure-activity relationships are discussed to facilitate further rational design of more effective candidates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Marchesi
- Department of Environmental and Prevention Sciences, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy;
| | - Daniela Perrone
- Department of Environmental and Prevention Sciences, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy;
| | - Maria Luisa Navacchia
- Institute for Organic Synthesis and Photoreactivity (ISOF), National Research Council of Italy (CNR), 40129 Bologna, Italy
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2
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Zippilli C, Filippi S, Cesarini S, Bizzarri BM, Conigliaro P, De Marchi E, Botta L, Saladino R. Synthesis of Artesunic Acid-Coumarin Hybrids as Potential Antimelanoma Agents. ACS Med Chem Lett 2023; 14:599-605. [PMID: 37197457 PMCID: PMC10184312 DOI: 10.1021/acsmedchemlett.3c00019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2023] [Accepted: 04/20/2023] [Indexed: 05/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Current therapy against melanoma relies on surgical treatment or, in alternative, on conventional drug therapy. Often these therapeutic agents are ineffective due to the development of resistance phenomena. For this purpose, chemical hybridization emerged as an effective strategy to overcome the development of drug resistance. In this study, a series of molecular hybrids were synthesized combining the sesquiterpene artesunic acid with a panel of phytochemical coumarins. Cytotoxicity, antimelanoma effect, and cancer selectivity of the novel compounds were evaluated by MTT assay on primary and metastatic cells and on healthy fibroblasts as a reference. The two most active compounds showed lower cytotoxicity and higher activity against metastatic melanoma than paclitaxel and artesunic acid. Further tests, including cellular proliferation, apoptosis, confocal microscopy, and MTT analyses in the presence of an iron chelating agent, were conducted with the aim of tentatively addressing the mode of action and the pharmacokinetic profile of selected compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Silvia Cesarini
- Department of Ecological
and Biological Sciences, University of Tuscia, via S. C. De Lellis snc, 01100 Viterbo, Italy
| | - Bruno Mattia Bizzarri
- Department of Ecological
and Biological Sciences, University of Tuscia, via S. C. De Lellis snc, 01100 Viterbo, Italy
| | - Pauline Conigliaro
- Department of Ecological
and Biological Sciences, University of Tuscia, via S. C. De Lellis snc, 01100 Viterbo, Italy
| | - Elisa De Marchi
- Department of Ecological
and Biological Sciences, University of Tuscia, via S. C. De Lellis snc, 01100 Viterbo, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Botta
- Department of Ecological
and Biological Sciences, University of Tuscia, via S. C. De Lellis snc, 01100 Viterbo, Italy
| | - Raffaele Saladino
- Department of Ecological
and Biological Sciences, University of Tuscia, via S. C. De Lellis snc, 01100 Viterbo, Italy
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Zeng ZW, Chen D, Chen L, He B, Li Y. A comprehensive overview of Artemisinin and its derivatives as anticancer agents. Eur J Med Chem 2023; 247:115000. [PMID: 36538859 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2022.115000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2022] [Revised: 11/20/2022] [Accepted: 11/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Artemisinin is the crucial ingredient of artemisia annua, a traditional Chinese medicine used for the therapy of malaria in China for hundreds of years. In recent years, the anticancer properties of artemisinin and its derivatives have also been reported. This review has summarized the research and development of artemisinin and its derivatives as anticancer agents, which included both natural and synthetic monomers as well as their dimers. In addition, it highlights the antitumor effects of artemisinin and its derivatives after site-modification or after transformation to a nano-delivery system. Moreover, we have further explored their potential mechanisms of action and also discussed the clinical trials of ARTs used to treat cancer, which will facilitate in further development of novel anticancer drugs based on the scaffold of artemisinin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zi-Wei Zeng
- State Key Laboratory of Functions and Applications of Medicinal Plants, Engineering Research Center for the Development and Application of Ethnic Medicine and TCM (Ministry of Education), Guizhou Provincial Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, School of Basic Medical Science, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, 550004, China
| | - Di Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Functions and Applications of Medicinal Plants, Engineering Research Center for the Development and Application of Ethnic Medicine and TCM (Ministry of Education), Guizhou Provincial Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, School of Basic Medical Science, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, 550004, China
| | - Lei Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Functions and Applications of Medicinal Plants, Engineering Research Center for the Development and Application of Ethnic Medicine and TCM (Ministry of Education), Guizhou Provincial Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, School of Basic Medical Science, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, 550004, China
| | - Bin He
- State Key Laboratory of Functions and Applications of Medicinal Plants, Engineering Research Center for the Development and Application of Ethnic Medicine and TCM (Ministry of Education), Guizhou Provincial Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, School of Basic Medical Science, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, 550004, China.
| | - Yan Li
- State Key Laboratory of Functions and Applications of Medicinal Plants, Engineering Research Center for the Development and Application of Ethnic Medicine and TCM (Ministry of Education), Guizhou Provincial Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, School of Basic Medical Science, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, 550004, China.
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Gambogenic acid antagonizes the expression and effects of long non-coding RNA NEAT1 and triggers autophagy and ferroptosis in melanoma. Biomed Pharmacother 2022; 154:113636. [PMID: 36081284 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2022.113636] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2022] [Revised: 08/26/2022] [Accepted: 08/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
In this study, we investigated the molecular mechanism underlying melanoma proliferation, with the aim to discover effective interventions which may markedly improve clinical prognosis. The results showed that gambogenic acid (GNA) could inhibit the proliferation of melanoma cells in vivo (C57BL/6 mice) and in vitro. Long non-coding RNA sequencing was used to identify the most significant long non-coding RNA, i.e., nuclear enriched abundant transcript 1 (NEAT1). NEAT1 was is up-regulated in melanoma, which was found to closely relate to cell proliferation. Melanoma cell lines either over-expressing NEAT1 or with NEAT1 knockdown was established through cloning experiments. A model of transplanted tumors was established to verify the inhibitory effect of GNA on the proliferation of melanoma cells in vitro and in vivo by downregulating NEAT1. Downregulation of NEAT1-induced ferroptosis and autophagy was demonstrated by detecting the effects of NEAT1 overexpressed and downregulated melanoma cell lines and melanoma transplantation model mice. Mechanistically, downregulation of NEAT1 can weaken the direct binding of Slc7a11, indirectly leading to inhibiting GPX-4 activity and subsequent ferroptosis, while, mediating the AMPK/mTOR signal axis-induced autophagy. The levels of Furthermore, NEAT1 decrease under the treatment of Gambogenic acid (GNA), a promising natural anticancer compound, while NEAT1 overexpression suppresses GNA inhibition on cell vitality and eliminates GNA-induced melanoma cell ferroptosis and autophagy.
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Anwar S, DasGupta D, Azum N, Alfaifi SY, Asiri AM, Alhumaydhi FA, Alsagaby SA, Sharaf SE, Shahwan M, Hassan MI. Inhibition of PDK3 by artemisinin, a repurposed antimalarial drug in cancer therapy. J Mol Liq 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.molliq.2022.118928] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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Zhang S, Yi C, Li WW, Luo Y, Wu YZ, Ling HB. The current scenario on anticancer activity of artemisinin metal complexes, hybrids, and dimers. Arch Pharm (Weinheim) 2022; 355:e2200086. [PMID: 35484335 DOI: 10.1002/ardp.202200086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2022] [Revised: 03/28/2022] [Accepted: 03/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Cancer, the most significant cause of morbidity and mortality, has already posed a heavy burden on health care systems globally. In recent years, cancer treatment has made a significant breakthrough, but cancer cells inevitably acquire resistance, and the efficacy of the treatment is greatly reduced as the tumor progresses. To overcome the above issues, novel chemotherapeutics are needed urgently. Artemisinin and its derivatives-sesquiterpene lactone compounds possessing a unique peroxy bridge moiety-exhibit excellent safety and tolerability profiles. Mechanistically, artemisinin derivatives can promote cancer cell apoptosis, induce cell cycle arrest and autophagy, and inhibit cancer cell invasion and migration. Accordingly, artemisinin derivatives demonstrate promising anticancer efficacy both in vitro and in vivo, and even in clinical Phase I/II trials. The purpose of the present review article is to provide an emphasis on the current scenario (January 2017-January 2022) of artemisinin derivatives with potential anticancer activity, inclusive of artemisinin metal complexes, hybrids, and dimers. The structure-activity relationships and mechanisms of action are also discussed to facilitate the further rational design of more effective candidates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shu Zhang
- Hubei Provincial Academy of Eco-Environmental Sciences, Wuhan, Hubei, People's Republic of China
| | - Chuan Yi
- Hubei Provincial Academy of Eco-Environmental Sciences, Wuhan, Hubei, People's Republic of China
| | - Wei-Wei Li
- Hubei Provincial Academy of Eco-Environmental Sciences, Wuhan, Hubei, People's Republic of China
| | - Yang Luo
- Hubei Provincial Academy of Eco-Environmental Sciences, Wuhan, Hubei, People's Republic of China
| | - Yi-Zhe Wu
- Hubei Provincial Academy of Eco-Environmental Sciences, Wuhan, Hubei, People's Republic of China
| | - Hai-Bo Ling
- Hubei Provincial Academy of Eco-Environmental Sciences, Wuhan, Hubei, People's Republic of China
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Botta L, Cesarini S, Zippilli C, Filippi S, Bizzarri BM, Baratto MC, Pogni R, Saladino R. Stereoselective Access to Antimelanoma Agents by Hybridization and Dimerization of Dihydroartemisinin and Artesunic acid. ChemMedChem 2021; 16:2270-2277. [PMID: 33792170 PMCID: PMC8360007 DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.202100196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2021] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
A library of five hybrids and six dimers of dihydroartemisinin and artesunic acid has been synthetized in a stereo-controlled manner and evaluated for the anticancer activity against metastatic melanoma cell line (RPMI7951). Among novel derivatives, three artesunic acid dimers showed antimelanoma activity and cancer selectivity, being not toxic on normal human fibroblast (C3PV) cell line. Among the three dimers, the one bearing 4-hydroxybenzyl alcohol as a spacer showed no cytotoxic effect (CC50 >300 μM) and high antimelanoma activity (IC50 =0.05 μM), which was two orders of magnitude higher than that of parent artesunic acid, and of the same order of commercial drug paclitaxel. In addition, this dimer showed cancer-type selectivity towards melanoma compared to prostate (PC3) and breast (MDA-MB-231) tumors. The occurrence of a radical mechanism was hypothesized by DFO and EPR analyses. Qualitative structure activity relationships highlighted the role of artesunic acid scaffold in the control of toxicity and antimelanoma activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorenzo Botta
- Department of Biological and Ecological Sciences, Univeristy of Viterbo, Via S.C. De Lellis s.n.c., 01100, Viterbo, Italy
| | - Silvia Cesarini
- Department of Biological and Ecological Sciences, Univeristy of Viterbo, Via S.C. De Lellis s.n.c., 01100, Viterbo, Italy
| | - Claudio Zippilli
- Department of Biological and Ecological Sciences, Univeristy of Viterbo, Via S.C. De Lellis s.n.c., 01100, Viterbo, Italy
| | - Silvia Filippi
- Department of Biological and Ecological Sciences, Univeristy of Viterbo, Via S.C. De Lellis s.n.c., 01100, Viterbo, Italy
| | - Bruno Mattia Bizzarri
- Department of Biological and Ecological Sciences, Univeristy of Viterbo, Via S.C. De Lellis s.n.c., 01100, Viterbo, Italy
| | - Maria Camilla Baratto
- Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Siena, via Aldo Moro 2, 53100, Siena, Italy
| | - Rebecca Pogni
- Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Siena, via Aldo Moro 2, 53100, Siena, Italy
| | - Raffaele Saladino
- Department of Biological and Ecological Sciences, Univeristy of Viterbo, Via S.C. De Lellis s.n.c., 01100, Viterbo, Italy
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