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Yoon YE, Jung YJ, Lee SJ. The Anticancer Activities of Natural Terpenoids That Inhibit Both Melanoma and Non-Melanoma Skin Cancers. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:4423. [PMID: 38674007 PMCID: PMC11050645 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25084423] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2024] [Revised: 04/12/2024] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
The prevalence of two major types of skin cancer, melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer, has been increasing worldwide. Skin cancer incidence is estimated to rise continuously over the next 20 years due to ozone depletion and an increased life expectancy. Chemotherapeutic agents could affect healthy cells, and thus may be toxic to them and cause numerous side effects or drug resistance. Phytochemicals that are naturally occurring in fruits, plants, and herbs are known to possess various bioactive properties, including anticancer properties. Although the effects of phytochemicals are relatively milder than chemotherapeutic agents, the long-term intake of phytochemicals may be effective and safe in preventing tumor development in humans. Diverse phytochemicals have shown anti-tumorigenic activities for either melanoma or non-melanoma skin cancer. In this review, we focused on summarizing recent research findings of the natural and dietary terpenoids (eucalyptol, eugenol, geraniol, linalool, and ursolic acid) that have anticancer activities for both melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers. These terpenoids may be helpful to protect skin collectively to prevent tumorigenesis of both melanoma and nonmelanoma skin cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ye Eun Yoon
- Department of Biotechnology, Graduate School of Life Sciences & Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Korea University, Seoul 02855, Republic of Korea;
| | - Young Jae Jung
- Department of Biotechnology, Graduate School of Life Sciences & Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Korea University, Seoul 02855, Republic of Korea;
| | - Sung-Joon Lee
- Department of Food Bioscience and Technology, College of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Korea University, Seoul 02855, Republic of Korea
- Interdisciplinary Program in Precision Public Health, BK21 Four Institute of Precision Public Health, Korea University, Seoul 02846, Republic of Korea
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Limami Y, Pinon A, Wahnou H, Oudghiri M, Liagre B, Simon A, Duval RE. Ursolic Acid's Alluring Journey: One Triterpenoid vs. Cancer Hallmarks. Molecules 2023; 28:7897. [PMID: 38067626 PMCID: PMC10707789 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28237897] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2023] [Revised: 11/24/2023] [Accepted: 11/29/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer is a multifactorial disease characterized by various hallmarks, including uncontrolled cell growth, evasion of apoptosis, sustained angiogenesis, tissue invasion, and metastasis, among others. Traditional cancer therapies often target specific hallmarks, leading to limited efficacy and the development of resistance. Thus, there is a growing need for alternative strategies that can address multiple hallmarks concomitantly. Ursolic acid (UA), a naturally occurring pentacyclic triterpenoid, has recently emerged as a promising candidate for multitargeted cancer therapy. This review aims to summarize the current knowledge on the anticancer properties of UA, focusing on its ability to modulate various cancer hallmarks. The literature reveals that UA exhibits potent anticancer effects through diverse mechanisms, including the inhibition of cell proliferation, induction of apoptosis, suppression of angiogenesis, inhibition of metastasis, and modulation of the tumor microenvironment. Additionally, UA has demonstrated promising activity against different cancer types (e.g., breast, lung, prostate, colon, and liver) by targeting various cancer hallmarks. This review discusses the molecular targets and signaling pathways involved in the anticancer effects of UA. Notably, UA has been found to modulate key signaling pathways, such as PI3K/Akt, MAPK/ERK, NF-κB, and Wnt/β-catenin, which play crucial roles in cancer development and progression. Moreover, the ability of UA to destroy cancer cells through various mechanisms (e.g., apoptosis, autophagy, inhibiting cell growth, dysregulating cancer cell metabolism, etc.) contributes to its multitargeted effects on cancer hallmarks. Despite promising anticancer effects, this review acknowledges hurdles related to UA's low bioavailability, emphasizing the need for enhanced therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Youness Limami
- Laboratory of Health Sciences and Technologies, Higher Institute of Health Sciences, Hassan First University of Settat, Settat 26000, Morocco
- Laboratory of Immunology and Biodiversity, Faculty of Sciences Ain Chock, Hassan II University, B.P. 2693, Maarif, Casablanca 20100, Morocco; (H.W.); (M.O.)
| | - Aline Pinon
- Univ. Limoges, LABCiS, UR 22722, F-87000 Limoges, France; (A.P.); (B.L.)
| | - Hicham Wahnou
- Laboratory of Immunology and Biodiversity, Faculty of Sciences Ain Chock, Hassan II University, B.P. 2693, Maarif, Casablanca 20100, Morocco; (H.W.); (M.O.)
| | - Mounia Oudghiri
- Laboratory of Immunology and Biodiversity, Faculty of Sciences Ain Chock, Hassan II University, B.P. 2693, Maarif, Casablanca 20100, Morocco; (H.W.); (M.O.)
| | - Bertrand Liagre
- Univ. Limoges, LABCiS, UR 22722, F-87000 Limoges, France; (A.P.); (B.L.)
| | - Alain Simon
- Univ. Limoges, LABCiS, UR 22722, F-87000 Limoges, France; (A.P.); (B.L.)
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Khaliq NU, Lee J, Kim J, Kim Y, Yu S, Kim J, Kim S, Sung D, Kim H. Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles as a Gene Delivery Platform for Cancer Therapy. Pharmaceutics 2023; 15:pharmaceutics15051432. [PMID: 37242674 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15051432] [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: 04/03/2023] [Revised: 05/02/2023] [Accepted: 05/05/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer remains a major global health challenge. Traditional chemotherapy often results in side effects and drug resistance, necessitating the development of alternative treatment strategies such as gene therapy. Mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) offer many advantages as a gene delivery carrier, including high loading capacity, controlled drug release, and easy surface functionalization. MSNs are biodegradable and biocompatible, making them promising candidates for drug delivery applications. Recent studies demonstrating the use of MSNs for the delivery of therapeutic nucleic acids to cancer cells have been reviewed, along with their potential as a tool for cancer therapy. The major challenges and future interventions of MSNs as gene delivery carriers for cancer therapy are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nisar Ul Khaliq
- Department of Chemistry and Bioscience, Kumoh National Institute of Technology, 61 Daehak-ro, Gumi 39177, Republic of Korea
| | - Juyeon Lee
- Department of Chemistry and Bioscience, Kumoh National Institute of Technology, 61 Daehak-ro, Gumi 39177, Republic of Korea
| | - Joohyeon Kim
- Department of Chemistry and Bioscience, Kumoh National Institute of Technology, 61 Daehak-ro, Gumi 39177, Republic of Korea
| | - Yejin Kim
- Department of Chemistry and Bioscience, Kumoh National Institute of Technology, 61 Daehak-ro, Gumi 39177, Republic of Korea
| | - Sohyeon Yu
- Center for Bio-Healthcare Materials, Bio-Convergence Materials R&D Division, Korea Institute of Ceramic Engineering and Technology, 202 Osongsaengmyeong 1-ro, Osong-eup, Heungdeok-gu, Cheongju 28160, Republic of Korea
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Yonsei University, 50 Yonsei-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - Jisu Kim
- Center for Bio-Healthcare Materials, Bio-Convergence Materials R&D Division, Korea Institute of Ceramic Engineering and Technology, 202 Osongsaengmyeong 1-ro, Osong-eup, Heungdeok-gu, Cheongju 28160, Republic of Korea
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Yonsei University, 50 Yonsei-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - Sangwoo Kim
- Center for Bio-Healthcare Materials, Bio-Convergence Materials R&D Division, Korea Institute of Ceramic Engineering and Technology, 202 Osongsaengmyeong 1-ro, Osong-eup, Heungdeok-gu, Cheongju 28160, Republic of Korea
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Yonsei University, 50 Yonsei-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - Daekyung Sung
- Center for Bio-Healthcare Materials, Bio-Convergence Materials R&D Division, Korea Institute of Ceramic Engineering and Technology, 202 Osongsaengmyeong 1-ro, Osong-eup, Heungdeok-gu, Cheongju 28160, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyungjun Kim
- Department of Chemistry and Bioscience, Kumoh National Institute of Technology, 61 Daehak-ro, Gumi 39177, Republic of Korea
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Sandhu SS, Rouz SK, Kumar S, Swamy N, Deshmukh L, Hussain A, Haque S, Tuli HS. Ursolic acid: a pentacyclic triterpenoid that exhibits anticancer therapeutic potential by modulating multiple oncogenic targets. Biotechnol Genet Eng Rev 2023:1-31. [PMID: 36600517 DOI: 10.1080/02648725.2022.2162257] [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: 08/29/2022] [Accepted: 12/20/2022] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
The world is currently facing a global challenge against neoplastic diseases. Chemotherapy, hormonal therapy, surgery, and radiation therapy are some approaches used to treat cancer. However, these treatments are frequently causing side effects in patients, such as multidrug resistance, fever, weakness, and allergy, among others side effects. As a result, current research has focused on phytochemical compounds isolated from plants to treat deadly cancers. Plants are excellent resources of bioactive molecules, and many natural molecules have exceptional anticancer properties. They produce diverse anticancer derivatives such as alkaloids, terpenoids, flavonoids, pigments, and tannins, which have powerful anticancer activities against various cancer cell lines and animal models. Because of their safety, eco-friendly, and cost-effective nature, research communities have recently focused on various phytochemical bioactive molecules. Ursolic acid (UA) and its derivative compounds have anti-inflammatory, anticancer, apoptosis induction, anti-carcinogenic, and anti-breast cancer proliferation properties. Ursolic acid (UA) can improve the clinical management of human cancer because it inhibits cancer cell viability and proliferation, preventing tumour angiogenesis and metastatic activity. Therefore, the present article focuses on numerous bioactivities of Ursolic acid (UA), which can inhibit cancer cell production, mechanism of action, and modulation of anticancer properties via regulating various cellular processes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sharareh Khorami Rouz
- School of Life Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
| | - Suneel Kumar
- Bio-Design Innovation Centre, Rani Durgavati University, Jabalpur, India
| | - Nitin Swamy
- Fungal Biotechnology and Invertebrate Pathology Laboratory Department of Biological Sciences, Rani Durgavati University, Jabalpur, India
| | - Loknath Deshmukh
- School of Life and Allied Science, ITM University, Raipur, India
| | - Arif Hussain
- School of Life Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
| | - Shafiul Haque
- Research and Scientific Studies Unit, College of Nursing and Allied Health Sciences, Jazan University, Jazan, Saudi Arabia
- Arabia and Centre of Medical and Bio-Allied Health Sciences Research, Ajman University, Ajman, United Arab Emirates
| | - Hardeep Singh Tuli
- Department of Biotechnology, Maharishi Markandeshwar (Deemed to be University), Mullana, Ambala, Haryana, India
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Antiproliferative Activity of Buddleja saligna (Willd.) against Melanoma and In Vivo Modulation of Angiogenesis. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2022; 15:ph15121497. [PMID: 36558948 PMCID: PMC9782150 DOI: 10.3390/ph15121497] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2022] [Revised: 11/21/2022] [Accepted: 11/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Melanoma cells secrete pro-angiogenic factors, which stimulates growth, proliferation and metastasis, and therefore are key therapeutic targets. Buddleja saligna (BS), and an isolated triterpenoid mixture (DT-BS-01) showed a fifty percent inhibitory concentration (IC50) of 33.80 ± 1.02 and 5.45 ± 0.19 µg/mL, respectively, against melanoma cells (UCT-MEL-1) with selectivity index (SI) values of 1.64 and 5.06 compared to keratinocytes (HaCat). Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibition was observed with IC50 values of 35.06 ± 2.96 (BS) and 26.40 ± 4.19 µg/mL (DT-BS-01). BS (30 µg/mL) significantly inhibited interleukin (IL)-6 (83.26 ± 17.60%) and IL-8 (100 ± 0.2%) production, whereas DT-BS-01 (5 µg/mL) showed 51.07 ± 2.83 (IL-6) and 0 ± 6.7% (IL-8) inhibition. Significant vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) inhibition, by 15.84 ± 4.54 and 12.21 ± 3.48%, respectively, was observed. In the ex ovo chick embryo yolk sac membrane assay (YSM), BS (15 µg/egg) significantly reduced new blood vessel formation, with 53.34 ± 11.64% newly formed vessels. Silver and palladium BS nanoparticles displayed noteworthy SI values. This is the first report on the significant anti-angiogenic activity of BS and DT-BS-01 and should be considered for preclinical trials as there are currently no US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved drugs to inhibit angiogenesis in melanoma.
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Anti-tumour effect of combinations of three acids isolated from Taraxacum officinale. ACTA VET BRNO 2022. [DOI: 10.2754/avb202291010077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Taraxacum officinale (TO) is a well-known medicinal plant used in folk medicine for its variety of biological activities. In this study a methanolic extract from roots was used to examine its anti-tumour effect by using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) viability assay on two mouse tumour cell lines, fibrosarcoma and hepatoma cell lines. Normal hepatocyte and fibroblast cell lines were used as a control. Furthermore, three active compounds were isolated from the extract, caffeic acid, chlorogenic acid, and ursolic acid, in order to investigate their cytotoxicity and possible interactions between them in their combinations on the same tumour and non-tumour cell lines. The anti-tumour effect of the TO extract was confirmed on the fibrosarcoma cell line in a dose dependent manner. The anti-proliferative acting of each acid was described on both cancer cell lines and for the first time the combinations of these acids were investigated and their common effect in the mixtures reported. Further experiments to determine the mechanism of action and examine their action with conventional chemotherapeutics as a potential adjuvant therapy to enhance the chemotherapeutic effect and improve patient health with its hepatoprotective activity could be encouraged.
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Rathor R, Suryakumar G, Singh SN. Diet and redox state in maintaining skeletal muscle health and performance at high altitude. Free Radic Biol Med 2021; 174:305-320. [PMID: 34352371 DOI: 10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2021.07.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2021] [Revised: 07/14/2021] [Accepted: 07/19/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
High altitude exposure leads to compromised physical performance with considerable weight loss. The major stressor at high altitude is hypobaric hypoxia which leads to disturbance in redox homeostasis. Oxidative stress is a well-known trigger for many high altitude illnesses and regulates several key signaling pathways under stressful conditions. Altered redox homeostasis is considered the prime culprit of high altitude linked skeletal muscle atrophy. Hypobaric hypoxia disturbs redox homeostasis through increased RONS production and compromised antioxidant system. Increased RONS disturbs the cellular homeostasis via multiple ways such as inflammation generation, altered protein anabolic pathways, redox remodeling of RyR1 that contributed to dysregulated calcium homeostasis, enhanced protein degradation pathways via activation calcium-regulated protein, calpain, and apoptosis. Ultimately, all the cellular signaling pathways aggregately result in skeletal muscle atrophy. Dietary supplementation of phytochemicals could become a safe and effective intervention to ameliorate skeletal muscle atrophy and enhance the physical performance of the personnel who are staying at high altitude regions. The present evidence-based review explores few dietary supplementations which regulate several signaling mechanisms and ameliorate hypobaric hypoxia induced muscle atrophy and enhances physical performance. However, a clinical research trial is required to establish proof-of-concept.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richa Rathor
- Defence Institute of Physiology and Allied Sciences, Lucknow Road, Timarpur, New Delhi, 110054, India.
| | - Geetha Suryakumar
- Defence Institute of Physiology and Allied Sciences, Lucknow Road, Timarpur, New Delhi, 110054, India
| | - Som Nath Singh
- Defence Institute of Physiology and Allied Sciences, Lucknow Road, Timarpur, New Delhi, 110054, India
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Sharma K, Kesharwani P, Prajapati SK, Jain A, Jain D, Mody N, Sharma S. An Insight into Anticancer Bioactives from Punica granatum (Pomegranate). Anticancer Agents Med Chem 2021; 22:694-702. [PMID: 34315399 DOI: 10.2174/1871520621666210726143553] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2021] [Revised: 03/31/2021] [Accepted: 06/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Cancer is one of the major reasons for mortality across the globe. Side effects that are observed with the pharmacological medications present in the market majorly affect the quality of life of patients. This has caused the researchers to find an alternative source of medications such as herbal medicine which has shown a promising effect in anticancer treatment, one such source is Pomegranate, which belongs to the family Punicaceae. Several polyphenols are present in Punica granatum which exhibits properties ranging from antioxidant effect, antidiabetic effect, beneficial impact in treatment, and management of metabolic and cardiovascular disorders to advantageous impact in anticancer treatment. Polyphenols like punicalin, punicalagin, and ellagic acid are a few of the many compounds responsible for the anticancer activity of pomegranate. Many preparations of pomegranate such as Pomegranate Juice (PJ), Pomegranate seed oil (PSO), Pomegranate peel extract (PoPx) etc. are used in various clinical studies. These polyphenols show anticancer activity by either arresting the cell cycle in the G2/M phase, inducing apoptosis, or by damaging the DNA of tumor cells. This review explicitly discusses the role and mechanism of bioactives obtained from the pomegranate in the treatment and management of cancer. The chemical structure, properties and role of pomegranate in the treatment of breast, lung, thyroid, colon, and prostate cancer has been focused in detail. This review also discusses various drug delivery approaches for targeted delivery on tumors as well as patented preparation of pomegranate compounds along with the ongoing clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kanika Sharma
- Department of Pharmacy, Ram-Eesh Institute of Vocational and Technical Education, Greater Noida-201301, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Payal Kesharwani
- Department of Pharmacy, Ram-Eesh Institute of Vocational and Technical Education, Greater Noida-201301, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Shiv Kumar Prajapati
- Department of Pharmacy, Ram-Eesh Institute of Vocational and Technical Education, Greater Noida-201301, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Ankit Jain
- Department of Materials Engineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore-560012, Karnataka, India
| | - Dolly Jain
- Oriental College of Pharmacy and Research, Oriental University, Indore, India
| | - Nishi Mody
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Dr. H. S. Gour University, Sagar (MP) - 470003, India
| | - Swapnil Sharma
- Department of Pharmacy, Banasthali Vidyapith, Banasthali, Rajasthan-304022, India
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Ursolic Acid and Related Analogues: Triterpenoids with Broad Health Benefits. Antioxidants (Basel) 2021; 10:antiox10081161. [PMID: 34439409 PMCID: PMC8388988 DOI: 10.3390/antiox10081161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2021] [Revised: 06/04/2021] [Accepted: 06/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Ursolic acid (UA) is a well-studied natural pentacyclic triterpenoid found in herbs, fruit and a number of traditional Chinese medicinal plants. UA has a broad range of biological activities and numerous potential health benefits. In this review, we summarize the current data on the bioavailability and pharmacokinetics of UA and review the literature on the biological activities of UA and its closest analogues in the context of inflammation, metabolic diseases, including liver and kidney diseases, obesity and diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, cancer, and neurological disorders. We end with a brief overview of UA’s main analogues with a special focus on a newly discovered naturally occurring analogue with intriguing biological properties and potential health benefits, 23-hydroxy ursolic acid.
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Naß J, Abdelfatah S, Efferth T. The triterpenoid ursolic acid ameliorates stress in Caenorhabditis elegans by affecting the depression-associated genes skn-1 and prdx2. PHYTOMEDICINE : INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHYTOTHERAPY AND PHYTOPHARMACOLOGY 2021; 88:153598. [PMID: 34111615 DOI: 10.1016/j.phymed.2021.153598] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2020] [Revised: 05/03/2021] [Accepted: 05/14/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Depression is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. Lower antioxidant concentrations and increased oxidative stress levels contribute to the development of depression. Effective and tolerable medications are urgently needed. Nrf2 and PRDX2 are promising targets in the treatment of oxidative stress and, therefore, promising for the development of novel antidepressants. Ursolic acid (UA), a natural triterpenoid found in various plants is known to exert neuroprotective and antioxidant effects. Skn-1 (which corresponds to human Nrf2) and prdx2 deficient mutants of the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans are suitable models to study the effect of UA on these targets. Additionally, stress assays are used to mimic stress or depressed state. METHODS We examined the antioxidant activity of UA in Caenorhabditis elegans wildtype and skn-1- and prdx2-deficient strains by H2DCF-DA and juglone assays as well as osmotic and heat stress assays. Additionally, we analyzed the binding of UA to human PRDX2 and Skn-1 proteins by molecular docking and microscale thermophoresis. RESULTS UA exerted strong antioxidant activities. Additionally, induction of stress resistance towards osmotic and heat stress was observed. qRT-PCR revealed that UA upregulated the gene expression of skn-1 and prdx2. Molecular docking studies supported these findings. CONCLUSION Our findings implicate that the strong antioxidant activity of UA may exert anti-depressive effects by its interaction with the Skn-1 transcription factor, which is part of a detoxification network, and the antioxidant PRDX2 protein, which protects the organism from the detrimental effects of radical oxygen species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janine Naß
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biology, Institute of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, Johannes Gutenberg University, Staudinger Weg 5, 55128 Mainz, Germany
| | - Sara Abdelfatah
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biology, Institute of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, Johannes Gutenberg University, Staudinger Weg 5, 55128 Mainz, Germany
| | - Thomas Efferth
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biology, Institute of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, Johannes Gutenberg University, Staudinger Weg 5, 55128 Mainz, Germany.
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El-Harakeh M, Al-Ghadban S, Safi R. Medicinal Plants Towards Modeling Skin Cancer. Curr Drug Targets 2021; 22:148-161. [PMID: 33019926 DOI: 10.2174/1389450121666201005103521] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2020] [Revised: 06/29/2020] [Accepted: 08/11/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Skin cancer remains a major cause of mortality worldwide. It can be divided into melanoma and non-melanoma cancer, which comprise mainly squamous cell carcinoma and basal cell carcinoma. Although conventional therapies have ameliorated the management of skin cancer, the search for chemopreventive compounds is still the most effective and safer strategy to treat cancer. Nowadays, chemoprevention is recognized as a novel approach to prevent or inhibit carcinogenesis steps with the use of natural products. Crude extracts of plants and isolated phytocompounds are considered chemopreventive agents since they harbor anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and anti-oncogenic properties against many types of diseases and cancers. In this review, we will discuss the therapeutic effect and preventive potential of selected medicinal plants used as crude extracts or as phytocompounds against melanoma and non-melanoma cutaneous cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad El-Harakeh
- Department of Anatomy, Cell Biology, and Physiological Sciences, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Sara Al-Ghadban
- Center for Stem Cell Research and Regenerative Medicine, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA 70112, United States
| | - Rémi Safi
- Department of Anatomy, Cell Biology, and Physiological Sciences, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
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Islam SU, Ahmed MB, Ahsan H, Islam M, Shehzad A, Sonn JK, Lee YS. An Update on the Role of Dietary Phytochemicals in Human Skin Cancer: New Insights into Molecular Mechanisms. Antioxidants (Basel) 2020; 9:E916. [PMID: 32993035 PMCID: PMC7600476 DOI: 10.3390/antiox9100916] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2020] [Revised: 09/21/2020] [Accepted: 09/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Human skin is continuously subjected to environmental stresses, as well as extrinsic and intrinsic noxious agents. Although skin adopts various molecular mechanisms to maintain homeostasis, excessive and repeated stresses can overwhelm these systems, leading to serious cutaneous damage, including both melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers. Phytochemicals present in the diet possess the desirable effects of protecting the skin from damaging free radicals as well as other benefits. Dietary phytochemicals appear to be effective in preventing skin cancer and are inexpensive, widely available, and well tolerated. Multiple in vitro and in vivo studies have demonstrated the significant anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-angiogenic characteristics of dietary phytochemicals against skin malignancy. Moreover, dietary phytochemicals affect multiple important cellular processes including cell cycle, angiogenesis, and metastasis to control skin cancer progression. Herein, we discuss the advantages of key dietary phytochemicals in whole fruits and vegetables, their bioavailability, and underlying molecular mechanisms for preventing skin cancer. Current challenges and future prospects for research are also reviewed. To date, most of the chemoprevention investigations have been conducted preclinically, and additional clinical trials are required to conform and validate the preclinical results in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Salman Ul Islam
- School of Life Sciences, College of Natural Sciences, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41566, Korea; (S.U.I.); (M.B.A.); (H.A.); (J.K.S.)
| | - Muhammad Bilal Ahmed
- School of Life Sciences, College of Natural Sciences, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41566, Korea; (S.U.I.); (M.B.A.); (H.A.); (J.K.S.)
| | - Haseeb Ahsan
- School of Life Sciences, College of Natural Sciences, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41566, Korea; (S.U.I.); (M.B.A.); (H.A.); (J.K.S.)
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Peshawar, Peshawar 25120, Pakistan
| | - Mazharul Islam
- Department of Chemical Engineering, College of Engineering, Dhofar University, Salalah 2509, Oman;
| | - Adeeb Shehzad
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Institute for Research and Medical Consultations (IRMC), Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam 31441, Saudi Arabia;
| | - Jong Kyung Sonn
- School of Life Sciences, College of Natural Sciences, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41566, Korea; (S.U.I.); (M.B.A.); (H.A.); (J.K.S.)
| | - Young Sup Lee
- School of Life Sciences, College of Natural Sciences, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41566, Korea; (S.U.I.); (M.B.A.); (H.A.); (J.K.S.)
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Nguyen NH, Vo VG, Phan HVT, Ngo TT, Sichaem J, Nguyen TP, Nguyen HH, Pham DD, Nguyen TC, Nguyen VK, Duong TH. Design, modification of phyllanthone derivatives as anti-diabetic and cytotoxic agents. Nat Prod Res 2020; 36:371-378. [PMID: 32608266 DOI: 10.1080/14786419.2020.1788023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Twelve benzylidene derivatives, one Baeyer-Villiger oxidative, six imine derivatives were successfully designed and synthesised from phyllanthone. In the search for potential new anti-diabetic agents, phyllanthone along with its benzylidene and oxidation analogues were evaluated for enzyme inhibition against α-glucosidase. In the benzylidene series, most analogues displayed stronger activity than the mother compound. Compound 1c revealed the strongest activity, outperforming the acarbose positive control with an IC50 value of 19.59 µM. Phyllanthone and its derivatives were then tested for cytotoxic activity against the K562 cell line. The imine analogues displayed the most powerful cytotoxic activity with 3cand 3d having IC50 values of 57.55 and 68.02 µM, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ngoc-Hong Nguyen
- CirTech Institute, Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology (HUTECH), Ho ChiMinh City, Vietnam
| | - Van-Giau Vo
- Department of BionanoTechnology, Gachon Medical Research Institute, Gachon University, Seongnam, Korea
| | | | - Thanh-The Ngo
- Department of Chemistry, University of Education, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
| | - Jirapast Sichaem
- Research Unit in Natural Products Chemistry and Bioactivities, Faculty of Science and Technology, Thammasat University Lampang Campus, Lampang, Thailand
| | - Thi-Phuong Nguyen
- NTT Hi-Tech Institute, Nguyen Tat Thanh University, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
| | - Huu-Hung Nguyen
- Faculty of Technology, Van Lang University, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
| | - Duc-Dung Pham
- Department of Chemistry, University of Education, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
| | - Tien-Cong Nguyen
- Department of Chemistry, University of Education, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
| | - Van-Kieu Nguyen
- Institute of Fundamental and Applied Sciences, Duy Tan University, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.,Faculty of Natural Sciences, Duy Tan University, Da Nang, Vietnam
| | - Thuc-Huy Duong
- Department of Chemistry, University of Education, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
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14
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Nguyen NH, Ta QTH, Pham QT, Luong TNH, Phung VT, Duong TH, Vo VG. Anticancer Activity of Novel Plant Extracts and Compounds from Adenosma bracteosum (Bonati) in Human Lung and Liver Cancer Cells. Molecules 2020; 25:E2912. [PMID: 32599892 PMCID: PMC7356985 DOI: 10.3390/molecules25122912] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2020] [Revised: 06/15/2020] [Accepted: 06/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer is the second leading cause of death globally, and despite the advances in drug development, it is still necessary to develop new plant-derived medicines. Compared with using conventional chemical drugs to decrease the side effects induced by chemotherapy, natural herbal medicines have many advantages. The present study aimed to discover the potential cytotoxicity of ethanol extract and its derived fractions (chloroform, ethyl acetate, butanol, and aqueous) of Adenosma bracteosum Bonati. (A. bracteosum) on human large cell lung carcinoma (NCI-H460) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG2). Among these fractions, the chloroform showed significant activity in the inhibition of proliferation of both cancerous cells because of the presence of bioactive compounds including xanthomicrol, 5,4'-dihydroxy-6,7,8,3'-tetramethoxyflavone, and ursolic acid which were clearly revealed by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, Heteronuclear Multiple Bond Coherence, and Heteronuclear Single Quantum Coherence Spectroscopy) analyses. According to the radical scavenging capacity, the 5,4'-dihydroxy-6,7,8,3'-tetramethoxyflavone compound (AB2) exhibited the highest anticancer activity on both NCI-H460 and HepG2 with IC50 values of 4.57 ± 0.32 and 5.67 ± 0.09 µg/mL respectively, followed by the ursolic acid with the lower percent inhibition at 13.05 ± 0.55 and 10.00 ± 0.16 µg/mL, respectively (p < 0.05). Remarkably, the AB2 compound induced to significant increase in the production of reactive oxygen species accompanied by attenuation of mitochondrial membrane potential, thus inducing the activation of caspase-3 activity in both human lung and liver cancer cells. These results suggest that A. bracteosum is a promising source of useful natural products and AB2 offers opportunities to develop the novel anticancer drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ngoc Hong Nguyen
- CirTech Institute, Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology (HUTECH), Ho Chi Minh City 700000, Vietnam;
| | - Qui Thanh Hoai Ta
- Institute of Research and Development, Duy Tan University, Danang 550000, Vietnam;
| | - Quang Thang Pham
- Institute of Applied Science, Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology (HUTECH), Ho Chi Minh City 700000, Vietnam; (Q.T.P.); (T.N.H.L.)
| | - Thi Ngoc Han Luong
- Institute of Applied Science, Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology (HUTECH), Ho Chi Minh City 700000, Vietnam; (Q.T.P.); (T.N.H.L.)
| | - Van Trung Phung
- Center for Research and Technology Transfer, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, Hanoi 100000, Vietnam;
| | - Thuc-Huy Duong
- Department of Organic Chemistry, University of Education, Ho Chi Minh City 700000, Vietnam;
| | - Van Giau Vo
- Bionanotechnology Research Group, Ton Duc Thang University, Ho Chi Minh City 700000, Vietnam
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Ton Duc Thang University, Ho Chi Minh City 700000, Vietnam
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15
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AlQathama A, Shao L, Bader A, Khondkar P, Gibbons S, M Prieto J. Differential Anti-Proliferative and Anti-Migratory Activities of Ursolic Acid, 3- O-Acetylursolic Acid and Their Combination Treatments with Quercetin on Melanoma Cells. Biomolecules 2020; 10:E894. [PMID: 32545262 PMCID: PMC7356947 DOI: 10.3390/biom10060894] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2020] [Revised: 06/10/2020] [Accepted: 06/10/2020] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
We evaluate how 3-acetylation modulates the in vitro activity of ursolic acid in melanoma cells alone or in combination treatments with quercetin. Anti-proliferative studies on A375 cells and adult human dermal fibroblasts included analyses on cell cycle distribution, caspase activity, phosphatidylserine translocation, cell morphology and Bax/Bcl-2 protein expression. Then, 2D and 3D migration of B16F10 cells were studied using scratch and Transwell assays, respectively. Ursolic acid and 3-O-acetylursolic acid have shown similar GI50 on A375 cells (26 µM vs. 32 µM, respectively) significantly increased both early and late apoptotic populations, activated caspases 3/7 (48-72 h), and enhanced Bax whilst attenuating Bcl-2 expression. Ursolic acid caused elevation of the sub-G1 population whilst its 3-acetyl derivative arrested cell cycle at S phase and induced strong morphological changes. Combination treatments showed that ursolic acid and quercetin act synergistically in migration assays but not against cell proliferation. In summary, 3-O-acetylursolic acid maintains the potency and overall apoptotic mechanism of the parent molecule with a more aggressive influence on the morphology of A375 melanoma cells but the 3-acetylation suppresses its anti-migratory properties. We also found that ursolic acid can act in synergy with quercetin to reduce cell migration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aljawharah AlQathama
- School of Pharmacy, University College London, London WC1N 1AX, UK; (L.S.); (P.K.); (S.G.)
- Department of Pharmacognosy, Pharmacy College, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah 21955, Saudi Arabia;
| | - Luying Shao
- School of Pharmacy, University College London, London WC1N 1AX, UK; (L.S.); (P.K.); (S.G.)
| | - Ammar Bader
- Department of Pharmacognosy, Pharmacy College, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah 21955, Saudi Arabia;
| | - Proma Khondkar
- School of Pharmacy, University College London, London WC1N 1AX, UK; (L.S.); (P.K.); (S.G.)
| | - Simon Gibbons
- School of Pharmacy, University College London, London WC1N 1AX, UK; (L.S.); (P.K.); (S.G.)
- School of Pharmacy, University East Anglia, Norwich NR4 7TJ, UK
| | - Jose M Prieto
- School of Pharmacy, University College London, London WC1N 1AX, UK; (L.S.); (P.K.); (S.G.)
- Centre for Natural Products Discovery, School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool L3 3AF, UK
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16
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Li C, Chen J, Yuan W, Zhang W, Chen H, Tan H. Preventive effect of ursolic acid derivative on particulate matter 2.5-induced chronic obstructive pulmonary disease involves suppression of lung inflammation. IUBMB Life 2020; 72:632-640. [PMID: 31840927 DOI: 10.1002/iub.2201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2019] [Accepted: 10/31/2019] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Respiratory diseases like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are associated with the presence of particulate matter 2.5 (PM2.5) in the air. In the present study, the effect of synthesized ursolic acid derivatives on mice model of PM2.5-induced COPD was investigated in vivo. The mice model of COPD was established by the administration of 25 μL of PM2.5 suspension through intranasal route daily for 1 week. The levels of oxidative stress markers and inflammatory cytokines like tumor necrosis factors-α and interleukin-6 in the mice bronchoalveolar fluids increased markedly on administration with PM2.5. However, treatment with ursolic acid derivative caused a significant suppression in PM2.5-induced increase in oxidative stress markers and inflammatory cytokines in dose-dependent manner. Hematoxylin and eosin staining showed excessive inflammatory cell infiltration in pulmonary tissues in mice with COPD. The inflammatory cell infiltration was inhibited on treatment of the mice with ursolic acid derivative. The ursolic acid derivative treatment increased level of superoxide dismutase in mice with COPD. The lung injury induced by PM2.5 in mice was also prevented on treatment with ursolic acid derivative. Thus, ursolic acid derivative inhibits pulmonary tissues damage in mice through suppression of inflammatory cytokine and oxidative enzymes. Therefore, ursolic acid derivative can be of therapeutic importance for treatment of PM2.5-induced COPD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cuini Li
- Department of Pharmacy, Guangzhou Haizhu District Changgang Street Community Service Center, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Junxian Chen
- The First College of Clinical Medicine, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Weiwei Yuan
- Department of Internal Medicine, Huizhou Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Huizhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Wei Zhang
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Hong Chen
- Department of Internal Medicine, Huizhou Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Huizhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Hongtao Tan
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Huizhou Huiyang Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Huizhou, Guangdong, China
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17
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Shao J, Fang Y, Zhao R, Chen F, Yang M, Jiang J, Chen Z, Yuan X, Jia L. Evolution from small molecule to nano-drug delivery systems: An emerging approach for cancer therapy of ursolic acid. Asian J Pharm Sci 2020; 15:685-700. [PMID: 33363625 PMCID: PMC7750806 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajps.2020.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2019] [Revised: 12/31/2019] [Accepted: 03/01/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Ursolic acid (UA), a natural pentacyclic triterpenoid, possesses widespread biological and pharmacological activities. However, drawbacks such as low bioavailability, poor targeting and rapid metabolism greatly hinder its further clinical application. Recently, with the development of nanotechnology, various UA nanosystems have emerged as promising strategies for effective cancer therapy. This article reviews various types of UA-based nano-delivery systems, primarily with emphasis placed on novel UA-based carrier-free nano-drugs, which are considered to be innovative methods for cancer therapy. Moreover, this review presents carrier-free nano-drugs that co-assembled of UA and photosensitizers that displayed synergistic antitumor performance. Finally, the article also describes the development and challenges of UA nanosystems for future research in this field. Overall, the information presented in this review will provide new insight into the rational utilization of nano-drugs in cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingwei Shao
- Cancer Metastasis Alert and Prevention Center, and Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Cancer Metastasis Chemoprevention and Chemotherapy, College of Chemistry, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou 350116, China.,Marine Drug R&D Center, Institute of Oceanography, Minjiang University, Fuzhou 350108, China
| | - Yifan Fang
- Cancer Metastasis Alert and Prevention Center, and Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Cancer Metastasis Chemoprevention and Chemotherapy, College of Chemistry, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou 350116, China
| | - Ruirui Zhao
- Cancer Metastasis Alert and Prevention Center, and Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Cancer Metastasis Chemoprevention and Chemotherapy, College of Chemistry, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou 350116, China
| | - Fangmin Chen
- Cancer Metastasis Alert and Prevention Center, and Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Cancer Metastasis Chemoprevention and Chemotherapy, College of Chemistry, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou 350116, China
| | - Mingyue Yang
- Cancer Metastasis Alert and Prevention Center, and Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Cancer Metastasis Chemoprevention and Chemotherapy, College of Chemistry, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou 350116, China
| | - Jiali Jiang
- Cancer Metastasis Alert and Prevention Center, and Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Cancer Metastasis Chemoprevention and Chemotherapy, College of Chemistry, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou 350116, China
| | - Zixuan Chen
- Cancer Metastasis Alert and Prevention Center, and Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Cancer Metastasis Chemoprevention and Chemotherapy, College of Chemistry, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou 350116, China
| | - Xiaotian Yuan
- Cancer Metastasis Alert and Prevention Center, and Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Cancer Metastasis Chemoprevention and Chemotherapy, College of Chemistry, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou 350116, China
| | - Lee Jia
- Cancer Metastasis Alert and Prevention Center, and Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Cancer Metastasis Chemoprevention and Chemotherapy, College of Chemistry, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou 350116, China.,Marine Drug R&D Center, Institute of Oceanography, Minjiang University, Fuzhou 350108, China
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18
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Kim SH, Jin H, Meng RY, Kim DY, Liu YC, Chai OH, Park BH, Kim SM. Activating Hippo Pathway via Rassf1 by Ursolic Acid Suppresses the Tumorigenesis of Gastric Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:E4709. [PMID: 31547587 PMCID: PMC6801984 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20194709] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2019] [Revised: 09/16/2019] [Accepted: 09/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The Hippo pathway is often dysregulated in many carcinomas, which results in various stages of tumor progression. Ursolic acid (UA), a natural compound that exists in many herbal plants, is known to obstruct cancer progression and exerts anti-carcinogenic effect on a number of human cancers. In this study, we aimed to examine the biological mechanisms of action of UA through the Hippo pathway in gastric cancer cells. MTT assay showed a decreased viability of gastric cancer cells after treatment with UA. Following treatment with UA, colony numbers and the sizes of gastric cancer cells were significantly diminished and apoptosis was observed in SNU484 and SNU638 cells. The invasion and migration rates of gastric cancer cells were suppressed by UA in a dose-dependent manner. To further determine the gene expression patterns that are related to the effects of UA, a microarray analysis was performed. Gene ontology analysis revealed that several genes, such as the Hippo pathway upstream target gene, ras association domain family (RASSF1), and its downstream target genes (MST1, MST2, and LATS1) were significantly upregulated by UA, while the expression of YAP1 gene, together with oncogenes (FOXM1, KRAS, and BATF), were significantly decreased. Similar to the gene expression profiling results, the protein levels of RASSF1, MST1, MST2, LATS1, and p-YAP were increased, whereas those of CTGF were decreased by UA in gastric cancer cells. The p-YAP expression induced in gastric cancer cells by UA was reversed with RASSF1 silencing. In addition, the protein levels in the Hippo pathway were increased in the UA-treated xenograft tumor tissues as compared with that in the control tumor tissues; thus, UA significantly inhibited the tumorigenesis of gastric cancer in vivo in xenograft animals. Collectively, UA diminishes the proliferation and metastasis of gastric cancer via the regulation of Hippo pathway through Rassf1, which suggests that UA can be used as a potential chemopreventive and therapeutic agent for gastric cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seong-Hun Kim
- Department of Internal Medicine, Chonbuk National University Medical School, Jeonju 54907, Korea.
| | - Hua Jin
- Department of Physiology, Chonbuk National University Medical School, Jeonju 54907, Korea.
| | - Ruo Yu Meng
- Department of Physiology, Chonbuk National University Medical School, Jeonju 54907, Korea.
| | - Da-Yeah Kim
- Department of Physiology, Chonbuk National University Medical School, Jeonju 54907, Korea.
| | - Yu Chuan Liu
- Department of Physiology, Chonbuk National University Medical School, Jeonju 54907, Korea.
| | - Ok Hee Chai
- Department of Anatomy and Institute for Medical Sciences, Chonbuk National University Medical School, Jeonju 54907, Korea.
| | - Byung Hyun Park
- Department of Biochemistry, Chonbuk National University Medical School, Jeonju 54907, Korea.
| | - Soo Mi Kim
- Department of Physiology, Chonbuk National University Medical School, Jeonju 54907, Korea.
- Research Institute of Clinical Medicine of Chonbuk National University, Jeonju 54907, Korea.
- Biomedical Research Institute of Chonbuk National University Hospital, Jeonju 54907, Korea.
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19
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Ursolic Acid Derivatives as Potential Agents Against Acanthamoeba Spp. Pathogens 2019; 8:pathogens8030130. [PMID: 31443577 PMCID: PMC6789456 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens8030130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2019] [Revised: 08/20/2019] [Accepted: 08/21/2019] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The current chemotherapy of Acanthamoeba keratitis relies on few drugs with low potential and limited efficacy, for all this there is an urgent need to identify new classes of anti-Acanthamoeba agents. In this regard, natural products play an important role in overcoming the current need and medicinal chemistry of natural products represents an attractive approach for the discovery and development of new agents. Ursolic acid, a natural pentacyclic triterpenoid compound, possesses a broad spectrum of activities including anti-Acanthamoeba. Herein, we report on the development by chemical transformation of an ursolic acid-based series of seven compounds (2-8), one of them reported for the first time. The structure-activity relationship (SAR) analysis of their anti-Acanthamoeba activity revealed that acylation/ether formation or oxidation enhances their biological profile, suggesting that the hydrophobic moiety contributes to activity, presumably by increasing the affinity and/or cell membrane permeability. These ursolic acid derivatives highlight the potential of this source as a good base for the development of novel therapeutic agents against Acanthamoeba infections.
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20
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Fan H, Geng L, Yang F, Dong X, He D, Zhang Y. Ursolic acid derivative induces apoptosis in glioma cells through down-regulation of cAMP. Eur J Med Chem 2019; 176:61-67. [PMID: 31096119 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2019.04.059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2019] [Revised: 04/19/2019] [Accepted: 04/20/2019] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
The present study was designed to synthesize and evaluate ursolic acid hybrid compounds against glioma cells. Initial screening revealed that most of the synthesized compounds displayed better inhibitory effect on glioma cell proliferation compared to parent ursolic acid. The mechanism of inhibitory effect of the most potent compound 6d on glioma cells was investigated in detail. Treatment with compound 6d significantly (p < 0.001) reduced U251 and C6 cell proliferation at 48 h. The growth of U251 and C6 glioma cells was reduced to minimum level (17 and 21%) on treatment with 10 μM concentration of compound 6d. Treatment of the U251 cells with 10 μM concentration of compound 6d caused a significant (p < 0.05) inhibition of cAMP level. In U251 cell cultures treatment with compound 6d at 10 μM concentration enhanced proportion of apoptotic cells to 69.32% compared to 2.34% in the control cultures. The compound 6d treatment of U251 cells for 48 h caused arrest of cell cycle in the G0/G1 phase with consequent decrease of cell population in G2/M and S phases. The results from TEM showed that compound 6d treatment of U251 cells for 48 h caused blebbing of the cell membranes, chromatin condensation, appearance of foamy cytoplasmic material and autophagic vacuoles. The results from SEM revealed that compound 6d treatment of U251 cells caused a marked inhibition of microvilli and extensions on the cell surfaces. Thus present study demonstrates that compound 6d inhibits glioma cell growth, induces apoptosis and arrest cell cycle through metabolic pathway down-regulation. Therefore, compound 6d can be evaluated further for the treatment of glioma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haitao Fan
- Department of Neurosurgery, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, 250021, China
| | - Li Geng
- Department of Gastroenterology, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, 250021, China
| | - Fan Yang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, 250021, China
| | - Xushuai Dong
- Department of Neurosurgery, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, 250021, China
| | - Dong He
- Department of Neurosurgery, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, 250021, China
| | - Yongchao Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, 250021, China.
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21
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Unraveling the molecular mechanisms and the potential chemopreventive/therapeutic properties of natural compounds in melanoma. Semin Cancer Biol 2019; 59:266-282. [PMID: 31233829 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2019.06.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2019] [Revised: 06/19/2019] [Accepted: 06/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Melanoma is the most fatal form of skin cancer. Current therapeutic approaches include surgical resection, chemotherapy, targeted therapy and immunotherapy. However, these treatment strategies are associated with development of drug resistance and severe side effects. In recent years, natural compounds have also been extensively studied for their anti-melanoma effects, including tumor growth inhibition, apoptosis induction, angiogenesis and metastasis suppression and cancer stem cell elimination. Moreover, a considerable number of studies reported the synergistic activity of phytochemicals and standard anti-melanoma agents, as well as the enhanced effectiveness of their synthetic derivatives and novel formulations. However, clinical data confirming these promising effects in patients are still scanty. This review emphasizes the anti-tumor mechanisms and potential application of the most studied natural products for melanoma prevention and treatment.
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22
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Frolova TS, Lipeeva AV, Baev DS, Baiborodin SI, Orishchenko КE, Kochetov AV, Sinitsyna OI. Fluorescent labeling of ursolic acid with FITC for investigation of its cytotoxic activity using confocal microscopy. Bioorg Chem 2019; 87:876-887. [PMID: 30538052 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2018.11.052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2018] [Revised: 11/26/2018] [Accepted: 11/29/2018] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Fluorescent labeling is a widely-used approach in the study of intracellular processes. This method is becoming increasingly popular for studying small bioactive molecules of natural origin; it allows us to estimate the vital intracellular changes which occur under their influence. We propose a new approach for visualization of the intracellular distribution of triterpene acids, based on fluorescent labeling by fluoresceine isothiocyanate. As a model compound we took the most widely-used and best-studied acid in the ursane series - ursolic acid, as this enabled us to compare the results obtained during our research with the available data, in order to evaluate the validity of the proposed method. Experimental tracing of the dynamics of penetration and distribution of the labeled ursolic acid has shown that when the acid enters the cell, it initially localizes on the inner membranes where the predicted target Akt1/protein kinase B - a protein that inhibits apoptosis - is located.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatiana S Frolova
- Federal Research Center Institute of Cytology and Genetics of Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 10, Lavrentyev Ave., 630090 Novosibirsk, Russia; Novosibirsk Institute of Organic Chemistry of Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 10, Lavrentyev Ave., 630090 Novosibirsk, Russia; Novosibirsk State University, 2, Pirogov Street, 630090 Novosibirsk, Russia; Federal Research Center of Fundamental and Translational Medicine of Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 2, Timakov Street, 630117 Novosibirsk, Russia.
| | - Alla V Lipeeva
- Novosibirsk Institute of Organic Chemistry of Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 10, Lavrentyev Ave., 630090 Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - Dmitry S Baev
- Novosibirsk Institute of Organic Chemistry of Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 10, Lavrentyev Ave., 630090 Novosibirsk, Russia; Novosibirsk State University, 2, Pirogov Street, 630090 Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - Sergey I Baiborodin
- Federal Research Center Institute of Cytology and Genetics of Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 10, Lavrentyev Ave., 630090 Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - Кonstantin E Orishchenko
- Federal Research Center Institute of Cytology and Genetics of Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 10, Lavrentyev Ave., 630090 Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - Alexey V Kochetov
- Federal Research Center Institute of Cytology and Genetics of Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 10, Lavrentyev Ave., 630090 Novosibirsk, Russia; Novosibirsk State University, 2, Pirogov Street, 630090 Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - Olga I Sinitsyna
- Federal Research Center Institute of Cytology and Genetics of Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 10, Lavrentyev Ave., 630090 Novosibirsk, Russia; Novosibirsk State University, 2, Pirogov Street, 630090 Novosibirsk, Russia
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23
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Lu M, Wang Y, Zhan X. The MAPK Pathway-Based Drug Therapeutic Targets in Pituitary Adenomas. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2019; 10:330. [PMID: 31231308 PMCID: PMC6558377 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2019.00330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2019] [Accepted: 05/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) include ERK, p38, and JNK MAPK subfamilies, which are crucial regulators of cellular physiology, cell pathology, and many diseases including cancers. For the MAPK signaling system in pituitary adenomas (PAs), the activation of ERK signaling is generally thought to promote cell proliferation and growth; whereas the activations of p38 and JNK signaling are generally thought to promote cell apoptosis. The role of MAPK in treatment of PAs is demonstrated through the effects of currently used medications such as somatostatin analogs such as SOM230 and OCT, dopamine agonists such as cabergoline and bromocriptine, and retinoic acid which inhibit the MAPK pathway. Further, there are potential novel therapies based on putative molecular targets of the MAPK pathway, including 18beta-glycyrrhetinic acid (GA), dopamine-somatostatin chimeric compound (BIM-23A760), ursolic acid (UA), fulvestrant, Raf kinase inhibitory protein (RKIP), epidermal growth factor pathway substrate number 8 (Eps8), transmembrane protein with EGF-like and two follistatin-like domains (TMEFF2), cold inducible RNA-binding protein (CIRP), miR-16, and mammaliansterile-20-like kinase (MST4). The combined use of ERK inhibitor (e.g., SOM230, OCT, or dopamine) plus p38 activator (e.g., cabergoline, bromocriptine, and fulvestrant) and/or JNK activator (e.g., UA), or the development of single drug (e.g., BIM-23A760) to target both ERK and p38 or JNK pathways, might produce better anti-tumor effects on PAs. This article reviews the advances in understanding the role of MAPK signaling in pituitary tumorigenesis, and the MAPK pathway-based potential therapeutic drugs for PAs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miaolong Lu
- Key Laboratory of Cancer Proteomics of Chinese Ministry of Health, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Hunan Engineering Laboratory for Structural Biology and Drug Design, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- State Local Joint Engineering Laboratory for Anticancer Drugs, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Ya Wang
- Key Laboratory of Cancer Proteomics of Chinese Ministry of Health, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Hunan Engineering Laboratory for Structural Biology and Drug Design, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- State Local Joint Engineering Laboratory for Anticancer Drugs, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Xianquan Zhan
- Key Laboratory of Cancer Proteomics of Chinese Ministry of Health, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Hunan Engineering Laboratory for Structural Biology and Drug Design, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- State Local Joint Engineering Laboratory for Anticancer Drugs, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
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Mu H, Liu H, Zhang J, Huang J, Zhu C, Lu Y, Shi Y, Wang Y. Ursolic acid prevents doxorubicin-induced cardiac toxicity in mice through eNOS activation and inhibition of eNOS uncoupling. J Cell Mol Med 2019; 23:2174-2183. [PMID: 30609217 PMCID: PMC6378202 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.14130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2018] [Revised: 11/21/2018] [Accepted: 12/09/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
In addition to the known antitumour effects of ursolic acid (UA), increasing evidence indicates that this molecule plays a role in cardiac protection. In this study, the effects of ursolic acid on the heart in mice treated with doxorubicin (DOX) were assessed. The results showed that ursolic acid improved left ventrical fractional shortening (LVFS) and left ventrical ejection fraction (LVEF) of the heart, increased nitrogen oxide (NO) levels, inhibited reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and decreased cardiac apoptosis in mice treated with doxorubicin. Mechanistically, ursolic acid increased AKT and endothelial nitric-oxide synthase (eNOS) phosphorylation levels, and enhanced eNOS expression, while inhibiting doxorubicin induced eNOS uncoupling through NADPH oxidase 4 (NOX4) down-regulation. These effects of ursolic acid resulted in heart protection from doxorubicin-induced injury. Therefore, ursolic acid may be considered a potential therapeutic agent for doxorubicin-associated cardiac toxicity in clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haiman Mu
- First Affiliated Hospital of Jinzhou Medical UniversityJinzhouChina
- Graduated School of Jinzhou Medical UniversityJinzhouChina
| | - Haiwen Liu
- First Affiliated Hospital of Jinzhou Medical UniversityJinzhouChina
| | - Jiayi Zhang
- First Affiliated Hospital of Jinzhou Medical UniversityJinzhouChina
| | - Jianhua Huang
- First Affiliated Hospital of Jinzhou Medical UniversityJinzhouChina
- Life Science Institute of Jinzhou Medical UniversityJinzhouChina
| | - Chen Zhu
- First Affiliated Hospital of Jinzhou Medical UniversityJinzhouChina
- Graduated School of Jinzhou Medical UniversityJinzhouChina
| | - Yue Lu
- Graduated School of Jinzhou Medical UniversityJinzhouChina
| | - Yueping Shi
- First Affiliated Hospital of Jinzhou Medical UniversityJinzhouChina
| | - Yi Wang
- First Affiliated Hospital of Jinzhou Medical UniversityJinzhouChina
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Aging, Immunity, and Neuroinflammation: The Modulatory Potential of Nutrition. NUTRITION AND IMMUNITY 2019. [PMCID: PMC7123246 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-16073-9_14] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
Aging influences an organism’s entire physiology, affecting functions at the molecular, cellular, and systemic levels and increasing susceptibility to many major chronic diseases. The changes in the immune system that accompany human aging are very complex and are generally referred to as immunosenescence. The factors and mechanisms of immunosenescence are multiple and include, among others, defects in the bone marrow, thymic involution, and intrinsic defects in the formation, maturation, homeostasis, and migration of peripheral lymphocytes. Aging affects both the innate and adaptive arms of the immune system. The process of aging is commonly accompanied by low-grade inflammation thought to contribute to neuroinflammation and to many age-related diseases. Numerous attempts to define the role of chronic inflammation in aging have implicated chronic oxidative stress, mitochondrial damage, immunosenescence, epigenetic modifications, and other phenomena. Several lifestyle strategies, such as intervening to provide an adequate diet and physical and mental activity, have been shown to result in improved immune and neuroprotective functions, a decrease in oxidative stress and inflammation, and a potential increase in individual longevity. The studies published thus far describe a critical role for nutrition in maintaining the immune response of the aged, but they also indicate the need for a more in-depth, holistic approach to determining the optimal nutritional and behavioral strategies that would maintain immune and other physiological systems in elderly people. In this chapter, we focus first on the age-related changes of the immune system. Further, we discuss possible deleterious influences of immunosenescence and low-grade inflammation (inflammaging) on neurodegenerative processes in the normally aging brain. Finally, we consider our current understanding of the modulatory potential of nutrition that may mediate anti-inflammatory effects and thus positively affect immunity and the aging brain.
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Iqbal J, Abbasi BA, Ahmad R, Batool R, Mahmood T, Ali B, Khalil AT, Kanwal S, Afzal Shah S, Alam MM, Bashir S, Badshah H, Munir A. Potential phytochemicals in the fight against skin cancer: Current landscape and future perspectives. Biomed Pharmacother 2019; 109:1381-1393. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2018.10.107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2018] [Revised: 10/12/2018] [Accepted: 10/20/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
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Kim K, Shin EA, Jung JH, Park JE, Kim DS, Shim BS, Kim SH. Ursolic Acid Induces Apoptosis in Colorectal Cancer Cells Partially via Upregulation of MicroRNA-4500 and Inhibition of JAK2/STAT3 Phosphorylation. Int J Mol Sci 2018; 20:E114. [PMID: 30597956 PMCID: PMC6337206 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20010114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2018] [Revised: 12/17/2018] [Accepted: 12/24/2018] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Though ursolic acid (UA) isolated from Oldenlandia diffusa was known to exhibit anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, and anti-obesity effects, the underlying antitumor mechanism of ursolic acid was not fully understood to date. Thus, in the present study, the apoptotic mechanism of ursolic acid was elucidated in HCT116 and HT29 colorectal cancer cells in association with STAT3 and microRNA-4500 (miR-4500) by MTT assay, Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-dT-mediated dUTP nick end labelling (TUNEL) assay, cell cycle analysis, immunofluorescence, and Western blotting. Ursolic acid significantly exerted cytotoxicity, increased TUNEL positive cells and sub-G1 apoptotic portion, induced cleavage of poly (adenosine diphosphate-ribose) polymerase (PARP) and caspase 3 in HCT116 and HT29 cells. Of note, ursolic acid attenuated the expression of anti-apoptotic proteins such as Janus kinase 2 (JAK2) and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) and also blocked nuclear translocation of STAT3 in colorectal cancer cells. Notably, ursolic acid increased the expression level of miR-4500 in HCT116 cells by qRT-PCR analysis and conversely miR-4500 inhibitor reversed cytotoxic, anti-proliferative, and apoptotic effects by increasing TUNEL positive cells, PARP cleavage and inhibiting p-STAT3 in ursolic acid treated colorectal cancer cells. Overall, our findings provide evidence that usolic acid induces apoptosis in colorectal cancer cells partially via upregulation of miR-4500 and inhibition of STAT3 phosphorylation as a potent anti-cancer agent for colorectal cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karam Kim
- College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 02447, Korea.
| | - Eun Ah Shin
- College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 02447, Korea.
| | - Ji Hoon Jung
- College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 02447, Korea.
| | - Ji Eon Park
- College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 02447, Korea.
| | - Dong Soub Kim
- College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 02447, Korea.
| | - Bum Sang Shim
- College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 02447, Korea.
| | - Sung-Hoon Kim
- College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 02447, Korea.
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Phytochemicals in Skin Cancer Prevention and Treatment: An Updated Review. Int J Mol Sci 2018; 19:ijms19040941. [PMID: 29565284 PMCID: PMC5979545 DOI: 10.3390/ijms19040941] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2018] [Revised: 03/12/2018] [Accepted: 03/20/2018] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Skin is the largest human organ, our protection against various environmental assaults and noxious agents. Accumulation of these stress events may lead to the formation of skin cancers, including both melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers. Although modern targeted therapies have ameliorated the management of cutaneous malignancies, a safer, more affordable, and more effective strategy for chemoprevention and treatment is clearly needed for the improvement of skin cancer care. Phytochemicals are biologically active compounds derived from plants and herbal products. These agents appear to be beneficial in the battle against cancer as they exert anti-carcinogenic effects and are widely available, highly tolerated, and cost-effective. Evidence has indicated that the anti-carcinogenic properties of phytochemicals are due to their anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory, anti-proliferative, and anti-angiogenic effects. In this review, we discuss the preventive potential, therapeutic effects, bioavailability, and structure–activity relationship of these selected phytochemicals for the management of skin cancers. The knowledge compiled here will provide clues for future investigations on novel oncostatic phytochemicals and additional anti-skin cancer mechanisms.
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Oprean C, Ivan A, Bojin F, Cristea M, Soica C, Drăghia L, Caunii A, Paunescu V, Tatu C. Selective in vitro anti-melanoma activity of ursolic and oleanolic acids. Toxicol Mech Methods 2018; 28:148-156. [PMID: 28868958 DOI: 10.1080/15376516.2017.1373881] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Products of natural origin have become important agents in the treatment of cancer, and the active principles of natural sources could be used in combination with chemotherapeutic agents to increase their effects and to minimize their toxicity. Oleanolic (OA) and ursolic (UA) acids are intensely studied for their promising anticancer potential. The aim of this study was focused on the in vitro toxicological effects induced by UA and OA human mesenchymal stem cells and on melanoma, one of the most frequent cancers whose incidence is increasing every year. The two compounds were tested for their cytotoxic, cell cycle arrest and pro-apoptotic effects on melanoma cells (A375 and B164A5) and mesenchymal stem cells. UA exerted a cytotoxic effect in a dose-dependent manner on melanoma cells, while OA's activity has been shown to be low or moderate. Both compounds produced alterations of the cell cycle, arresting cells in the G0/G1 phase. Furthermore, UA induced significant apoptosis through the bcl-2 genes family pathway, with the decrease of the bcl-2 gene expression. The two compounds exerted selective effects on melanoma cells with no effects on human mesenchymal stem cells. The presented results reveal the anticancer potential of UA on melanoma cells, with no detectable toxicity on the mesenchymal stem cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camelia Oprean
- a Department of Environmental and Food Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy , Victor Babeş University of Medicine and Pharmacy , Timişoara , Romania
- b 'Pius Brinzeu' Timişoara County Emergency Clinical Hospital, Oncogen Institute , Timişoara , Romania
| | - Alexandra Ivan
- b 'Pius Brinzeu' Timişoara County Emergency Clinical Hospital, Oncogen Institute , Timişoara , Romania
- c Department of Functional Sciences, Faculty of Medicine , Victor Babeş University of Medicine and Pharmacy , Timişoara , Romania
| | - Florina Bojin
- b 'Pius Brinzeu' Timişoara County Emergency Clinical Hospital, Oncogen Institute , Timişoara , Romania
- c Department of Functional Sciences, Faculty of Medicine , Victor Babeş University of Medicine and Pharmacy , Timişoara , Romania
| | - Mirabela Cristea
- b 'Pius Brinzeu' Timişoara County Emergency Clinical Hospital, Oncogen Institute , Timişoara , Romania
| | - Codruta Soica
- d Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy , Victor Babeş University of Medicine and Pharmacy , Timişoara , Romania
| | - Lavinia Drăghia
- b 'Pius Brinzeu' Timişoara County Emergency Clinical Hospital, Oncogen Institute , Timişoara , Romania
- c Department of Functional Sciences, Faculty of Medicine , Victor Babeş University of Medicine and Pharmacy , Timişoara , Romania
| | - Angela Caunii
- a Department of Environmental and Food Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy , Victor Babeş University of Medicine and Pharmacy , Timişoara , Romania
| | - Virgil Paunescu
- b 'Pius Brinzeu' Timişoara County Emergency Clinical Hospital, Oncogen Institute , Timişoara , Romania
- c Department of Functional Sciences, Faculty of Medicine , Victor Babeş University of Medicine and Pharmacy , Timişoara , Romania
| | - Calin Tatu
- b 'Pius Brinzeu' Timişoara County Emergency Clinical Hospital, Oncogen Institute , Timişoara , Romania
- c Department of Functional Sciences, Faculty of Medicine , Victor Babeş University of Medicine and Pharmacy , Timişoara , Romania
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Djiadeu P, Farmakovski N, Azzouz D, Kotra LP, Sweezey N, Palaniyar N. Surfactant protein D regulates caspase-8-mediated cascade of the intrinsic pathway of apoptosis while promoting bleb formation. Mol Immunol 2017; 92:190-198. [PMID: 29107869 DOI: 10.1016/j.molimm.2017.10.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2017] [Revised: 10/17/2017] [Accepted: 10/17/2017] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Surfactant-associated protein D (SP-D) is a soluble innate immune collectin present on many mucosal surfaces. We recently showed that SP-D suppresses the extrinsic pathway of apoptosis by downregulating caspase-8 activation. However, the effects of SP-D on the intrinsic pathway of apoptosis are not clearly understood. In the intrinsic pathway, cytochrome c is released by mitochondria into the cytoplasm. Oxidation of cytochrome c by cytochrome c oxidase activates the apoptosome and caspase-9 cascade. Both caspase-8- and caspase-9-mediated branches are activated in the intrinsic pathway of apoptosis; however, little is known about the relevance of the caspase-8 pathway in this context. Here we studied the effects of SP-D on different branches of the intrinsic pathway of apoptosis using UV-irradiated Jurkat T-cells. We found that SP-D does not inhibit the caspase-9 branch of apoptosis and the relevance of the caspase-8-related branch became apparent when the caspase-9 pathway was inhibited by blocking cytochrome c oxidase. Under these conditions, SP-D reduces the activation of caspase-8, executioner caspase-3 and exposure of phosphatidylserine (PS) on the membranes of dying cells. By contrast, SP-D increases the formation of nuclear and membrane blebs. Inhibition of caspase-8 confirms the effect of SP-D is unique to the caspase-8 pathway. Overall, SP-D suppresses certain aspects of the intrinsic pathway of apoptosis via reduction of caspase-8 activation and PS flipping while at the same time increasing membrane and nuclear bleb formation. This novel regulatory aspect of SP-D could help to regulate intrinsic pathway of apoptosis to promote effective blebbing and breakdown of dying cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pascal Djiadeu
- Lung Innate Immunity Research Laboratory, Program in Translational Medicine, Peter Gilgan Centre for Research and Learning, The Hospital for Sick Children, 686 Bay St, Toronto, ON, M5G 0A4, Canada; Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, M5S 3M2, Canada
| | - Nicole Farmakovski
- Lung Innate Immunity Research Laboratory, Program in Translational Medicine, Peter Gilgan Centre for Research and Learning, The Hospital for Sick Children, 686 Bay St, Toronto, ON, M5G 0A4, Canada
| | - Dhia Azzouz
- Lung Innate Immunity Research Laboratory, Program in Translational Medicine, Peter Gilgan Centre for Research and Learning, The Hospital for Sick Children, 686 Bay St, Toronto, ON, M5G 0A4, Canada
| | - Lakshmi P Kotra
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, M5S 3M2, Canada; Center for Molecular Design and Preformulations, Toronto General Research Institute, University Health Network, 101 College Street, Toronto, Ontario, M5G 1L7, Canada
| | - Neil Sweezey
- Lung Innate Immunity Research Laboratory, Program in Translational Medicine, Peter Gilgan Centre for Research and Learning, The Hospital for Sick Children, 686 Bay St, Toronto, ON, M5G 0A4, Canada; Departments of Paediatrics, Physiology and Institute of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5G 1X8, Canada
| | - Nades Palaniyar
- Lung Innate Immunity Research Laboratory, Program in Translational Medicine, Peter Gilgan Centre for Research and Learning, The Hospital for Sick Children, 686 Bay St, Toronto, ON, M5G 0A4, Canada; Departments of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology and Institute of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5S 1A8, Canada.
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Zheng G, Shen Y, Zhao R, Chen F, Zhang Y, Xu A, Shao J. Dual-Targeting Multifuntional Mesoporous Silica Nanocarrier for Codelivery of siRNA and Ursolic Acid to Folate Receptor Overexpressing Cancer Cells. JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY 2017; 65:6904-6911. [PMID: 28771340 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.7b03047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
A targeting drug delivery system (TDDS) can selectively deliver antitumor drugs to cancerous parts to improve its anticancer efficacy. Hence, a targeted drug delivery system (UA/siVEGF@MSN-FA) coloading ursolic acid (UA) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) targeted siRNA (siVEGF) based on mesoporous silica (MSN) nanocarrier modified by a folic acid (FA) molecule was designed and synthesized. The MSN-FA nanoparticles were investigated for shape, diameter, and zeta potential and and by infrared (IR) spectroscopy. FR-overexpressing HeLa cells and FR-negative HepG2 cell lines were used to evaluate the in vitro cellular uptake and the cytotoxicity of MSN-FA nanoparticles. The morphology of HeLa cells transfected with siVEGF@MSN-FA was observed using fluorescence microscopy. Our findings demonstrated that UA@MSN-FA nanoparticles were near-spherical, and the particle size was about 209 ± 9.21 nm. The MSN-FA nanocarrier not only could enhance the in vitro transfection efficiency and the stability of siVEGF but also could further improve the targeted anticancer efficacy of UA and siVEGF via the active targeting property of FA. Overall, the MSN-FA drug delivery system could serve as an excellent material in biomedical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guirong Zheng
- Cancer Metastasis Alert and Prevention Center, Pharmaceutical Photocatalysis of State Key Laboratory of Photocatalysis on Energy and Environment, and Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Cancer Metastasis Chemoprevention and Chemotherapy, College of Chemistry, Fuzhou University , Fuzhou 350116, China
| | - Yiling Shen
- Cancer Metastasis Alert and Prevention Center, Pharmaceutical Photocatalysis of State Key Laboratory of Photocatalysis on Energy and Environment, and Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Cancer Metastasis Chemoprevention and Chemotherapy, College of Chemistry, Fuzhou University , Fuzhou 350116, China
| | - Ruirui Zhao
- Cancer Metastasis Alert and Prevention Center, Pharmaceutical Photocatalysis of State Key Laboratory of Photocatalysis on Energy and Environment, and Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Cancer Metastasis Chemoprevention and Chemotherapy, College of Chemistry, Fuzhou University , Fuzhou 350116, China
| | - Fan Chen
- Cancer Metastasis Alert and Prevention Center, Pharmaceutical Photocatalysis of State Key Laboratory of Photocatalysis on Energy and Environment, and Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Cancer Metastasis Chemoprevention and Chemotherapy, College of Chemistry, Fuzhou University , Fuzhou 350116, China
| | - Ying Zhang
- Cancer Metastasis Alert and Prevention Center, Pharmaceutical Photocatalysis of State Key Laboratory of Photocatalysis on Energy and Environment, and Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Cancer Metastasis Chemoprevention and Chemotherapy, College of Chemistry, Fuzhou University , Fuzhou 350116, China
| | - Aixiao Xu
- Cancer Metastasis Alert and Prevention Center, Pharmaceutical Photocatalysis of State Key Laboratory of Photocatalysis on Energy and Environment, and Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Cancer Metastasis Chemoprevention and Chemotherapy, College of Chemistry, Fuzhou University , Fuzhou 350116, China
| | - Jingwei Shao
- Cancer Metastasis Alert and Prevention Center, Pharmaceutical Photocatalysis of State Key Laboratory of Photocatalysis on Energy and Environment, and Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Cancer Metastasis Chemoprevention and Chemotherapy, College of Chemistry, Fuzhou University , Fuzhou 350116, China
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Strzemski M, Wojnicki K, Sowa I, Wojas-Krawczyk K, Krawczyk P, Kocjan R, Such J, Latalski M, Wnorowski A, Wójciak-Kosior M. In Vitro Antiproliferative Activity of Extracts of Carlina acaulis subsp. caulescens and Carlina acanthifolia subsp. utzka. Front Pharmacol 2017; 8:371. [PMID: 28659804 PMCID: PMC5469354 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2017.00371] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2017] [Accepted: 05/29/2017] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Various species of the Carlina genus have been used in traditional medicine in many countries to treat numerous skin disorders, including cancer. The objective of this work was to assess the anticancer properties of root and leaf extracts from Carlina acaulis subsp. caulescens and C. acanthifolia subsp. utzka. Anti-tumor properties of the extracts were explored using a tetrazolium-based cell viability assay and flow cytometric apoptosis analysis, followed by immunodetection of phosphoactive ERK1/2 in UACC-903, C32, and UACC-647 human melanoma cell lines. Normal human fibroblasts were used as a control. Leaf extracts inhibited the viability of all tested melanoma cell lines in a dose-dependent fashion while the fibroblasts were less sensitive to such extract. The root extracts inhibited the proliferation of UACC-903 and UACC-647 cells only at the highest doses (300 μg/mL). However, the C32 and fibroblast cells exhibited an increase in the cellular proliferation rate and no caspase activity was observed in response to the root extracts (100 μg/mL). An increase in caspase activity was observed in melanoma cells treated with the leaf extracts of both Carlina species. Leaf extracts from C. acaulis subsp. caulescens (100 μg/mL) inhibited proliferatory ERK1/2 in UACC-903 and C32 cells, as demonstrated by the decrease in ERK1/2 phosphorylation. No reduction in phospho-ERK1/2 was observed in the tested cell lines treated with the root extracts, apart from UACC-647 after incubation with the C. acanthifolia subsp. utzka root extract (100 μg/mL). There was no change in ERK1/2 phosphorylation in the fibroblasts. The extracts from the leaves and roots were analyzed by HPLC and the analysis showed the presence of triterpenes and phenolic acids as the main extract components. The research demonstrated that the extracts from the leaves of the plants were cytotoxic against the human melanoma line and induced apoptosis of the cells. The triterpene fraction present in the tested extracts may be responsible for this activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maciej Strzemski
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Medical University of LublinLublin, Poland
| | - Kamil Wojnicki
- Laboratory of Molecular Neurobiology, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology Polish Academy of SciencesWarszawa, Poland.,Department of Synthesis and Chemical Technology of Pharmaceutical Substances, Medical University of LublinLublin, Poland
| | - Ireneusz Sowa
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Medical University of LublinLublin, Poland
| | - Kamila Wojas-Krawczyk
- Department of Pneumology, Oncology and Allergology, Medical University of LublinLublin, Poland
| | - Paweł Krawczyk
- Department of Pneumology, Oncology and Allergology, Medical University of LublinLublin, Poland
| | - Ryszard Kocjan
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Medical University of LublinLublin, Poland
| | - Justyna Such
- Department of Biopharmacy, Medical University of LublinLublin, Poland
| | - Michał Latalski
- Children's Orthopedics Department, Medical University of LublinLublin, Poland
| | - Artur Wnorowski
- Department of Biopharmacy, Medical University of LublinLublin, Poland
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Abstract
Mitochondria play a key role in ATP generation, redox homeostasis and regulation of apoptosis. Due to the essential role of mitochondria in metabolism and cell survival, targeting mitochondria in cancer cells is considered as an attractive therapeutic strategy. However, metabolic flexibility in cancer cells may enable the upregulation of compensatory pathways, such as glycolysis to support cancer cell survival when mitochondrial metabolism is inhibited. Thus, compounds capable of both targeting mitochondria and inhibiting glycolysis may be particularly useful to overcome such drug-resistant mechanism. This review provides an update on recent development in the field of targeting mitochondria and novel compounds that impact mitochondria, glycolysis or both. Key challenges in this research area and potential solutions are also discussed.
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Li T, Chen X, Liu Y, Fan L, Lin L, Xu Y, Chen S, Shao J. pH-Sensitive mesoporous silica nanoparticles anticancer prodrugs for sustained release of ursolic acid and the enhanced anti-cancer efficacy for hepatocellular carcinoma cancer. Eur J Pharm Sci 2017; 96:456-463. [PMID: 27771513 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejps.2016.10.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2016] [Revised: 10/18/2016] [Accepted: 10/18/2016] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Ursolic acid (UA) as a nature product exhibits good anti-cancer activity, low toxicity, and good liver protection features. However, the low-solubility and poor bioavailability restrict its further clinical application. To overcome this problem, a pH-sensitive prodrug delivery system (UA@MSN-UA) that incorporated acid-sensitive linkage between drug and silica-based mesoporous nanosphere (MSN) was successfully designed and synthesized. The physicochemical properties of the UA@MSN-UA nanoparticles were investigated for shape, particle size, zeta potential, nitrogen adsorption-desorption and infrared (IR) spectroscopy. The nanoparticles were further evaluated for in vitro cytotoxicity, including proliferation inhibition, cell cycle distribution and apoptotic effects against human hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2 cells. The TEM image showed that the size of synthesized MSN nanoparticle was a near-spherical shape with ~100nm diameter. In vitro cytotoxicity testing demonstrated that UA@MSN-UA nanoparticles prodrug exhibited higher proliferation inhibition, cell cycle arrest at the G2/M phase and significantly caused the early and late apoptosis in HepG2 cells, which would be contributed to high loading capacity, high cellular uptake and sustained release of UA. Overall, the UA-modified MSN prodrug delivery system can be a promising drug carrier for improving the bioavailability of UA, and further enhance its anti-cancer efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tao Li
- Cancer Metastasis Alert and Prevention Center, and Pharmaceutical Photocatalysis of State Key Laboratory of Photocatalysis on Energy and Environment, College of Chemistry, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou 350108, China; Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Cancr Metastasis Chemoprevention, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Xiufen Chen
- Cancer Metastasis Alert and Prevention Center, and Pharmaceutical Photocatalysis of State Key Laboratory of Photocatalysis on Energy and Environment, College of Chemistry, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou 350108, China; Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Cancr Metastasis Chemoprevention, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Yajun Liu
- Cancer Metastasis Alert and Prevention Center, and Pharmaceutical Photocatalysis of State Key Laboratory of Photocatalysis on Energy and Environment, College of Chemistry, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou 350108, China; Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Cancr Metastasis Chemoprevention, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Lulu Fan
- Cancer Metastasis Alert and Prevention Center, and Pharmaceutical Photocatalysis of State Key Laboratory of Photocatalysis on Energy and Environment, College of Chemistry, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou 350108, China; Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Cancr Metastasis Chemoprevention, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Liqing Lin
- Cancer Metastasis Alert and Prevention Center, and Pharmaceutical Photocatalysis of State Key Laboratory of Photocatalysis on Energy and Environment, College of Chemistry, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou 350108, China
| | - Yu Xu
- Cancer Metastasis Alert and Prevention Center, and Pharmaceutical Photocatalysis of State Key Laboratory of Photocatalysis on Energy and Environment, College of Chemistry, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou 350108, China
| | - Sijia Chen
- Cancer Metastasis Alert and Prevention Center, and Pharmaceutical Photocatalysis of State Key Laboratory of Photocatalysis on Energy and Environment, College of Chemistry, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou 350108, China
| | - Jingwei Shao
- Cancer Metastasis Alert and Prevention Center, and Pharmaceutical Photocatalysis of State Key Laboratory of Photocatalysis on Energy and Environment, College of Chemistry, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou 350108, China; Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Cancr Metastasis Chemoprevention, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou, China.
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Wen L, Guo R, You L, Abbasi AM, Li T, Fu X, Liu RH. Major triterpenoids in Chinese hawthorn "Crataegus pinnatifida" and their effects on cell proliferation and apoptosis induction in MDA-MB-231 cancer cells. Food Chem Toxicol 2016; 100:149-160. [PMID: 28025124 DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2016.12.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2016] [Revised: 12/20/2016] [Accepted: 12/22/2016] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The cytotoxicity and antiproliferative effect of phytochemicals presenting in the fruits of Chinese hawthorn (Crataegus pinnatifida) were evaluated. Shanlihong (Crataegus pinnatifida Bge. var. major N.E.Br.) variety possessed significant levels of flavonoids and triterpenoids, and showed potent antiproliferative effect against HepG2, MCF-7 and MDA-MB- 231 human cancer cells lines. Triterpenoids-enriched fraction (S9) prepared by Semi-preparative HPLC, and its predominant ingredient ursolic acid (UA) demonstrated remarkably antiproliferative activities for all the tested cancer cell lines. DNA flow cytometric analysis showed that S9 fraction and UA significantly induced G1 arrest in MDA-MB-231 cells in a dose-dependent manner. Western blotting analysis revealed that S9 fraction and UA significantly induced PCNA, CDK4, and Cyclin D1 downregulation in MDA-MB-231 cells, followed by p21Waf1/Cip1 up-regulation. Additionally, flow cytometer and DNA ladder assays indicated that S9 fraction and UA significantly induced MDA-MB-231 cells apoptosis. Mitochondrial death pathway was involved in this apoptosis as significantly induced caspase-9 and caspase-3 activation. These results suggested that triterpenoids-enriched fraction and UA exhibited antiproliferative activity through the cell cycle arrest and apoptosis induction, and was majorly responsible for the potent anticancer activity of Chinese hawthorn.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lingrong Wen
- School of Food Science and Technology, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510640, China; Center of Guangdong Food Green Processing and Nutrition Regulation Engineering Technology, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, 510640, China
| | - Ruixue Guo
- School of Food Science and Technology, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510640, China; Center of Guangdong Food Green Processing and Nutrition Regulation Engineering Technology, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, 510640, China
| | - Lijun You
- School of Food Science and Technology, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510640, China; Center of Guangdong Food Green Processing and Nutrition Regulation Engineering Technology, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, 510640, China.
| | - Arshad Mehmood Abbasi
- School of Food Science and Technology, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510640, China; Department of Environmental Sciences, COMSATS Institute of Information Technology, Abbottabad, Pakistan
| | - Tong Li
- Department of Food Science, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, United States
| | - Xiong Fu
- School of Food Science and Technology, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510640, China; Center of Guangdong Food Green Processing and Nutrition Regulation Engineering Technology, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, 510640, China
| | - Rui Hai Liu
- Department of Food Science, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, United States
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Rocha TGR, Lopes SCDA, Cassali GD, Ferreira Ê, Veloso ES, Leite EA, Braga FC, Ferreira LAM, Balvay D, Garofalakis A, Oliveira MC, Tavitian B. Evaluation of Antitumor Activity of Long-Circulating and pH-Sensitive Liposomes Containing Ursolic Acid in Animal Models of Breast Tumor and Gliosarcoma. Integr Cancer Ther 2016; 15:512-524. [PMID: 27130721 PMCID: PMC5739155 DOI: 10.1177/1534735416628273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2015] [Revised: 12/01/2015] [Accepted: 12/11/2015] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Ursolic acid (UA) is a triterpene found in different plant species, possessing antitumor activity, which may be a result of its antiangiogenic effect. However, UA has low water solubility, which limits its use because the bioavailability is impaired. To overcome this inconvenience, we developed long-circulating and pH-sensitive liposomes containing ursolic acid (SpHL-UA). We investigated the antiangiogenic effect of free UA and SpHL-UA in murine brain cancer and human breast tumor models by means of determination of the relative tumor volume, dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI), and histopathological analysis. Methods The animals were treated with dimethyl sulfoxide in 0.9% (w/v) NaCl, free UA, long-circulating and pH-sensitive liposomes without drug (SpHL), or SpHL-UA. The animals were submitted to each treatment by intraperitoneal injection for 5 days. The dose of free UA or SpHL-UA was equal to 23 mg/kg. Results Tumor growth inhibition was not observed in human breast tumor-bearing animals. For murine gliosarcoma-bearing animals, a slight tumor growth inhibition was observed in the groups treated with free UA or SpHL-UA (9% and 15%, respectively). No significant change in any of the parameters evaluated by DCE-MRI for both experimental models could be observed. Nevertheless, the evaluation of the mean values of magnetic resonance parameters of human breast tumor-bearing animals showed evidence of a possible antiangiogenic effect induced by SpHL-UA. Histopathological analysis did not present significant change for any treatment. Conclusion SpHL-UA did not show antiangiogenic activity in a gliosarcoma model and seemed to induce an antiangiogenic effect in the human breast tumor model.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Ênio Ferreira
- Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
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Baishya R, Nayak DK, Kumar D, Sinha S, Gupta A, Ganguly S, Debnath MC. Ursolic Acid Loaded PLGA Nanoparticles: in vitro and in vivo Evaluation to Explore Tumor Targeting Ability on B16F10 Melanoma Cell Lines. Pharm Res 2016; 33:2691-703. [PMID: 27431865 DOI: 10.1007/s11095-016-1994-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2016] [Accepted: 07/06/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Ursolic acid (UA), a pentacyclic triterpenoid extracted from plants, shows promising inhibitory effect in different tumor bearing cell lines. In the present study we fabricated UA loaded PLGA nanoparticles (UA-NPs) as the drug carrier and thoroughly evaluated in vitro and in vivo the differential tumor targeting effects of UA and UA-NPs in B16F10 melanoma cells. METHODS Ursolic acid loaded PLGA nanoparticles were prepared by emulsion solvent evaporation technique and evaluated for particle size, polydispersity, zeta potential and drug release potency. MTT assay as well as flow cytometric and confocal microscopic analyses were done in B16F10 mouse melanoma cell lines. Formulations were labeled with technetium-99m to evaluate the biodistribution and perform scintigraphic imaging studies following intravenous administration in tumor bearing mice model. RESULTS Single emulsification technique produced smooth spherical nanoparticles of small size with relatively narrow size distribution (154 ± 4.56 nm). On B16F10 cell line, the formulation showed higher cytotoxicity compared to the free drug due to increased in vitro cellular uptake. The formulation was successfully radiolabeled and remained substantially (>90%) stable when incubated (37°C, 6 h) separately in normal saline or freshly collected rat serum or histidine solution. The radiolabeled UA-NPs exhibited slower blood clearance and comparatively high uptake in tumor region as evidenced by biodistribution and scintigraphic studies. CONCLUSIONS The in vitro and in vivo studies have proved the tumor targeting potential of UA-NPs in B16F10 melanoma cell lines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rinku Baishya
- Infectious Diseases and Immunology Division, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, 4 Raja S. C. Mullick Road, Kolkata, 700032, India
| | - Dipak K Nayak
- Infectious Diseases and Immunology Division, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, 4 Raja S. C. Mullick Road, Kolkata, 700032, India
| | - Deepak Kumar
- Department of Natural Products, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Kolkata, India
| | - Samarendu Sinha
- Regional Radiation Medicine Center, Thakurpukur Cancer Center and Welfare Home Campus, Kolkata, India
| | - Amit Gupta
- Regional Radiation Medicine Center, Thakurpukur Cancer Center and Welfare Home Campus, Kolkata, India
| | - Shantanu Ganguly
- Regional Radiation Medicine Center, Thakurpukur Cancer Center and Welfare Home Campus, Kolkata, India
| | - Mita Chatterjee Debnath
- Infectious Diseases and Immunology Division, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, 4 Raja S. C. Mullick Road, Kolkata, 700032, India.
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Zhang RX, Li Y, Tian DD, Liu Y, Nian W, Zou X, Chen QZ, Zhou LY, Deng ZL, He BC. Ursolic acid inhibits proliferation and induces apoptosis by inactivating Wnt/β-catenin signaling in human osteosarcoma cells. Int J Oncol 2016; 49:1973-1982. [PMID: 27665868 DOI: 10.3892/ijo.2016.3701] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2016] [Accepted: 09/01/2016] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Although multiple chemotherapeutic agents have been used for osteosarcoma (OS) treatment, their mechanisms need further study. Ursolic acid (UA), a pentacyclic triterpenoid, can reduce cell proliferation and induce apoptosis in various cancer cells, such as OS. However, the exact mechanism underlying this function remains unclear. In this study, we investigated the anti‑proliferative effect of UA in human OS 143B cells and dissected the possible molecular mechanism underlying this effect. We demonstrated that UA can reduce cell proliferation, induce apoptosis and arrest cell cycle in 143B cells, as well as inhibit OS tumor growth in a mouse xenograft model. Using a luciferase reporter assay, we found that the Wnt/β‑catenin signaling is inhibited by UA in 143B cells. Correspondingly, the expression level and nuclear translocation of β‑catenin are both decreased by UA. Exogenous expression of β‑catenin attenuates the anticancer effect of UA in 143B cells, while knockdown of β‑catenin enhances this effect. UA increases the expression level of p53 in a concentration‑dependent manner, and inhibition of p53 reduces the anticancer effect of UA in 143B cells. Moreover, inhibition of p53 partly reverses the UA‑induced downregulation of β‑catenin, as do the targets of Wnt/β‑catenin signaling, such as c‑Myc and cyclin D1. Our findings indicated that UA can inhibit the proliferation of 143B OS cells through inactivation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling, which may be mediated partly by upregulating the expression of p53.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ran-Xi Zhang
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, P.R. China
| | - Yang Li
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, P.R. China
| | - Dong-Dong Tian
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, P.R. China
| | - Yang Liu
- Department of Orthopaedics, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, P.R. China
| | - Wu Nian
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, P.R. China
| | - Xiang Zou
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, P.R. China
| | - Qian-Zhao Chen
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, P.R. China
| | - Lin-Yun Zhou
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, P.R. China
| | - Zhong-Liang Deng
- Department of Orthopaedics, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, P.R. China
| | - Bai-Cheng He
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, P.R. China
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Oprean C, Mioc M, Csányi E, Ambrus R, Bojin F, Tatu C, Cristea M, Ivan A, Danciu C, Dehelean C, Paunescu V, Soica C. Improvement of ursolic and oleanolic acids' antitumor activity by complexation with hydrophilic cyclodextrins. Biomed Pharmacother 2016; 83:1095-1104. [PMID: 27551755 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2016.08.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2016] [Revised: 08/01/2016] [Accepted: 08/09/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Ursolic and oleanolic acids have been brought into the spotlight of research due to their chemopreventive, anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties. The most important disadvantage of ursolic and oleanolic acids is their weak water solubility which limits their bioavailability. Pentacyclic triterpenes can form inclusion complexes with different types of cyclodextrins which provide the hydrophilic matrix requested for the molecular dispersion of drugs in order to become more water soluble. The aim of the current study is the complexation of ursolic and oleanolic acids with hydrophilic cyclodextrins in order to achieve an improvement of their pharmacological effect. After the virtual screening of the binding affinities between ursolic and oleanolic acids and various cyclodextrins, 2-hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin and 2-hydroxypropil-γ-cyclodextrin were selected as host-molecules for the inclusion complexation. Using the scanning electron microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry and X-ray diffraction the formation of real inclusion complexes between ursolic and oleanolic acids and the two cyclodextrins was confirmed. The anti-proliferative potential of the complexes was tested in vitro on several melanoma cell lines, using the pure compounds as reference. The complexes exhibited higher in vitro anti-proliferative activity as compared to the pure compounds; this improvement was significant for ursolic acid complexes, the highest activity being reported for the 2-hydroxypropil-γ-cyclodextrin complex. Weaker results were recorded for the oleanolic acid complexes where 2-hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin proved to be the most fitted inclusion partner. The entrapment of the two active compounds inside ramified hydrophilic cyclodextrins proved to be a suitable option to increase their anti-proliferative activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camelia Oprean
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Victor Babeş University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 2nd Eftimie Murgu Sq., Timişoara 300041, Romania.
| | - Marius Mioc
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Victor Babeş University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 2nd Eftimie Murgu Sq., Timişoara 300041, Romania.
| | - Erzsébet Csányi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, University of Szeged, H-6720 Szeged, Eötvös u. 6, Hungary.
| | - Rita Ambrus
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, University of Szeged, H-6720 Szeged, Eötvös u. 6, Hungary.
| | - Florina Bojin
- Department of Functional Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Victor Babeş University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 2nd Eftimie Murgu Sq., Timişoara 300041, Romania.
| | - Calin Tatu
- Department of Functional Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Victor Babeş University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 2nd Eftimie Murgu Sq., Timişoara 300041, Romania.
| | - Mirabela Cristea
- "Pius Brinzeu" Timişoara County Emergency Clinical Hospital, 156 Liviu Rebreanu, Timişoara 300723, Romania.
| | - Alexandra Ivan
- Department of Functional Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Victor Babeş University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 2nd Eftimie Murgu Sq., Timişoara 300041, Romania.
| | - Corina Danciu
- Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Victor Babeş University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 2nd Eftimie Murgu Sq., Timişoara 300041, Romania.
| | - Cristina Dehelean
- Department of Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Victor Babeş University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 2nd Eftimie Murgu Sq., Timişoara 300041, Romania.
| | - Virgil Paunescu
- Department of Functional Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Victor Babeş University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 2nd Eftimie Murgu Sq., Timişoara 300041, Romania.
| | - Codruta Soica
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Victor Babeş University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 2nd Eftimie Murgu Sq., Timişoara 300041, Romania.
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Kim H, Ramirez CN, Su ZY, Kong ANT. Epigenetic modifications of triterpenoid ursolic acid in activating Nrf2 and blocking cellular transformation of mouse epidermal cells. J Nutr Biochem 2016; 33:54-62. [PMID: 27260468 PMCID: PMC4895202 DOI: 10.1016/j.jnutbio.2015.09.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2015] [Revised: 09/15/2015] [Accepted: 09/17/2015] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Ursolic acid (UA), a well-known natural triterpenoid found in abundance in blueberries, cranberries and apple peels, has been reported to possess many beneficial health effects. These effects include anticancer activity in various cancers, such as skin cancer. Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the world. Nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) is a master regulator of antioxidative stress response with anticarcinogenic activity against UV- and chemical-induced tumor formation in the skin. Recent studies show that epigenetic modifications of Nrf2 play an important role in cancer prevention. However, the epigenetic impact of UA on Nrf2 signaling remains poorly understood in skin cancer. In this study, we investigated the epigenetic effects of UA on mouse epidermal JB6 P+ cells. UA inhibited cellular transformation by 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate at a concentration at which the cytotoxicity was no more than 25%. Under this condition, UA induced the expression of the Nrf2-mediated detoxifying/antioxidant enzymes heme oxygenase-1, NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase 1 and UDP-glucuronosyltransferase 1A1. DNA methylation analysis revealed that UA demethylated the first 15 CpG sites of the Nrf2 promoter region, which correlated with the reexpression of Nrf2. Furthermore, UA reduced the expression of epigenetic modifying enzymes, including the DNA methyltransferases DNMT1 and DNMT3a and the histone deacetylases (HDACs) HDAC1, HDAC2, HDAC3 and HDAC8 (Class I) and HDAC6 and HDAC7 (Class II), and HDAC activity. Taken together, these results suggest that the epigenetic effects of the triterpenoid UA could potentially contribute to its beneficial effects, including the prevention of skin cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyuck Kim
- Center for Cancer Prevention Research, Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA; Department of Pharmaceutics, Earnest Mario School of Pharmacy, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA
| | - Christina N Ramirez
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Earnest Mario School of Pharmacy, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA; Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology Program, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA
| | - Zheng-Yuan Su
- Department of Bioscience Technology, Chung Yuan Christian University, Taoyuan City, Taiwan (Republic of China) 32023
| | - Ah-Ng Tony Kong
- Center for Cancer Prevention Research, Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA; Department of Pharmaceutics, Earnest Mario School of Pharmacy, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA.
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Hassan L, Pinon A, Limami Y, Seeman J, Fidanzi-Dugas C, Martin F, Badran B, Simon A, Liagre B. Resistance to ursolic acid-induced apoptosis through involvement of melanogenesis and COX-2/PGE2 pathways in human M4Beu melanoma cancer cells. Exp Cell Res 2016; 345:60-9. [PMID: 27262506 DOI: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2016.05.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2015] [Revised: 05/27/2016] [Accepted: 05/28/2016] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Melanoma is one of the most aggressive forms of cancer with a continuously growing incidence worldwide and is usually resistant to chemotherapy agents, which is due in part to a strong resistance to apoptosis. Previously, we had showed that B16-F0 murine melanoma cells undergoing apoptosis are able to delay their own death induced by ursolic acid (UA), a natural pentacyclic triterpenoid compound. We had demonstrated that tyrosinase and TRP-1 up-regulation in apoptotic cells and the subsequent production of melanin were implicated in an apoptosis resistance mechanism. Several resistance mechanisms to apoptosis have been characterized in melanoma such as hyperactivation of DNA repair mechanisms, drug efflux systems, and reinforcement of survival signals (PI3K/Akt, NF-κB and Raf/MAPK pathways). Otherwise, other mechanisms of apoptosis resistance involving different proteins, such as cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), have been described in many cancer types. By using a strategy of specific inhibition of each ways, we suggested that there was an interaction between melanogenesis and COX-2/PGE2 pathway. This was characterized by analyzing the COX-2 expression and activity, the expression of tyrosinase and melanin production. Furthermore, we showed that anti-proliferative and proapoptotic effects of UA were mediated through modulation of multiple signaling pathways including Akt and ERK-1/2 proteins. Our study not only uncovers underlying molecular mechanisms of UA action in human melanoma cancer cells but also suggest its great potential as an adjuvant in treatment and cancer prevention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lama Hassan
- Laboratory of Chemistry of Natural Substances, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Limoges, FR 3503 GEIST, EA1069, Limoges, France
| | - Aline Pinon
- Laboratory of Chemistry of Natural Substances, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Limoges, FR 3503 GEIST, EA1069, Limoges, France
| | - Youness Limami
- Laboratoire National de Référence (LNR), Université Mohammed VI des Sciences de la Santé, Casablanca, Morocco
| | - Josiane Seeman
- Laboratory of Chemistry of Natural Substances, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Limoges, FR 3503 GEIST, EA1069, Limoges, France
| | - Chloe Fidanzi-Dugas
- Laboratory of Chemistry of Natural Substances, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Limoges, FR 3503 GEIST, EA1069, Limoges, France
| | - Frederique Martin
- Laboratory of Chemistry of Natural Substances, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Limoges, FR 3503 GEIST, EA1069, Limoges, France
| | - Bassam Badran
- Laboratory of Cancer Biology and Molecular Immunology, Faculty of Sciences, Lebanese University, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Alain Simon
- Laboratory of Chemistry of Natural Substances, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Limoges, FR 3503 GEIST, EA1069, Limoges, France
| | - Bertrand Liagre
- Laboratory of Chemistry of Natural Substances, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Limoges, FR 3503 GEIST, EA1069, Limoges, France.
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Dar BA, Lone AM, Shah WA, Qurishi MA. Synthesis and screening of ursolic acid-benzylidine derivatives as potential anti-cancer agents. Eur J Med Chem 2016; 111:26-32. [PMID: 26854375 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2016.01.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2015] [Revised: 01/15/2016] [Accepted: 01/16/2016] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Ursolic acid present abundantly in plant kingdom is a well-known compound with various promising biological activities including, anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective, antiallergic and anti-HIV properties. Herein, a library of ursolic acid-benzylidine derivatives have been designed and synthesized using Claisen Schmidt condensation of ursolic acid with various aromatic aldehydes in an attempt to develop potent antitumor agents. The compounds were evaluated against a panel of four human carcinoma cell lines including, A-549 (lung), MCF-7 (breast), HCT-116 (colon), THP-1 (leukemia) and a normal human epithelial cell line (FR-2). The results from MTT assay revealed that all the compounds displayed high level of antitumor activities compared with the triazole analogs (previously reported) and the parent ursolic acid. However, compound 3b, the most active derivative was subjected to mechanistic studies to understand the underlying mechanism. The results revealed that compound 3b induced apoptosis in HCT-116 cell lines, arrest cell cycle in the G1 phase, caused accumulation of cytochrome c in the cytosol and increased the expression levels of caspase-9 and caspase-3 proteins. Therefore, compound 3b induces apoptosis in HCT-116 cells through mitochondrial pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bilal Ahmad Dar
- Department of Chemistry, University of Kashmir, Srinagar, 190006, India
| | - Ali Mohd Lone
- Department of Chemistry, University of Kashmir, Srinagar, 190006, India.
| | - Wajaht Amin Shah
- Department of Chemistry, University of Kashmir, Srinagar, 190006, India
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Prasad S, Yadav VR, Sung B, Gupta SC, Tyagi AK, Aggarwal BB. Ursolic acid inhibits the growth of human pancreatic cancer and enhances the antitumor potential of gemcitabine in an orthotopic mouse model through suppression of the inflammatory microenvironment. Oncotarget 2016; 7:13182-96. [PMID: 26909608 PMCID: PMC4914350 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.7537] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2015] [Accepted: 01/06/2016] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The development of chemoresistance in human pancreatic cancer is one reason for the poor survival rate for patients with this cancer. Because multiple gene products are linked with chemoresistance, we investigated the ability of ursolic acid (UA) to sensitize pancreatic cancer cells to gemcitabine, a standard drug used for the treatment of pancreatic cancer. These investigations were done in AsPC-1, MIA PaCa-2, and Panc-28 cells and in nude mice orthotopically implanted with Panc-28 cells. In vitro, UA inhibited proliferation, induced apoptosis, suppressed NF-κB activation and its regulated proliferative, metastatic, and angiogenic proteins. UA (20 μM) also enhanced gemcitabine (200 nM)-induced apoptosis and suppressed the expression of NF-κB-regulated proteins. In the nude mouse model, oral administration of UA (250 mg/kg) suppressed tumor growth and enhanced the effect of gemcitabine (25 mg/kg). Furthermore, the combination of UA and gemcitabine suppressed the metastasis of cancer cells to distant organs such as liver and spleen. Immunohistochemical analysis showed that biomarkers of proliferation (Ki-67) and microvessel density (CD31) were suppressed by the combination of UA and gemcitabine. UA inhibited the activation of NF-κB and STAT3 and the expression of tumorigenic proteins regulated by these inflammatory transcription factors in tumor tissue. Furthermore, the combination of two agents decreased the expression of miR-29a, closely linked with tumorigenesis, in the tumor tissue. UA was found to be bioavailable in animal serum and tumor tissue. These results suggest that UA can inhibit the growth of human pancreatic tumors and sensitize them to gemcitabine by suppressing inflammatory biomarkers linked to proliferation, invasion, angiogenesis, and metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sahdeo Prasad
- Department of Experimental Therapeutics, Cytokine Research Laboratory, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Vivek R. Yadav
- Department of Experimental Therapeutics, Cytokine Research Laboratory, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Bokyung Sung
- Department of Experimental Therapeutics, Cytokine Research Laboratory, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Subash C. Gupta
- Department of Experimental Therapeutics, Cytokine Research Laboratory, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Amit K. Tyagi
- Department of Experimental Therapeutics, Cytokine Research Laboratory, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Bharat B. Aggarwal
- Department of Experimental Therapeutics, Cytokine Research Laboratory, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
- Anti-inflammatory Research Institute, San Deigo, CA, USA
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Kashyap D, Tuli HS, Sharma AK. Ursolic acid (UA): A metabolite with promising therapeutic potential. Life Sci 2016; 146:201-13. [PMID: 26775565 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2016.01.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 189] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2015] [Revised: 01/11/2016] [Accepted: 01/12/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Plants are known to produce a variety of bioactive metabolites which are being used to cure various life threatening and chronic diseases. The molecular mechanism of action of such bioactive molecules, may open up new avenues for the scientific community to develop or improve novel therapeutic approaches to tackle dreadful diseases such as cancer and cardiovascular and neurodegenerative disorders. Ursolic acid (UA) is one among the categories of such plant-based therapeutic metabolites having multiple intracellular and extracellular targets that play role in apoptosis, metastasis, angiogenesis and inflammatory processes. Moreover, the synthetic derivatives of UA have also been seen to be involved in a range of pharmacological applications, which are associated with prevention of diseases. Evidences suggest that UA could be used as a potential candidate to develop a comprehensive competent strategy towards the treatment and prevention of health disorders. The review article herein describes the possible therapeutic effects of UA along with putative mechanism of action.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dharambir Kashyap
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, Punjab 160012, India
| | - Hardeep Singh Tuli
- Department of Biotechnology, Maharishi Markandeshwar University, Mullana, Ambala, Haryana 133207, India.
| | - Anil K Sharma
- Department of Biotechnology, Maharishi Markandeshwar University, Mullana, Ambala, Haryana 133207, India
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45
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Reyes-Zurita FJ, Medina-O'Donnell M, Ferrer-Martin RM, Rufino-Palomares EE, Martin-Fonseca S, Rivas F, Martínez A, García-Granados A, Pérez-Jiménez A, García-Salguero L, Peragón J, Mokhtari K, Medina PP, Parra A, Lupiáñez JA. The oleanolic acid derivative, 3-O-succinyl-28-O-benzyl oleanolate, induces apoptosis in B16–F10 melanoma cells via the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway. RSC Adv 2016. [DOI: 10.1039/c6ra18879f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Antiproliferative and proapoptotic effects of 3-O-succinyl-28-O-benzyl oleanolate on B16–F10 skin-melanoma cells.
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46
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Woźniak Ł, Skąpska S, Marszałek K. Ursolic Acid--A Pentacyclic Triterpenoid with a Wide Spectrum of Pharmacological Activities. Molecules 2015; 20:20614-41. [PMID: 26610440 PMCID: PMC6332387 DOI: 10.3390/molecules201119721] [Citation(s) in RCA: 216] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2015] [Revised: 08/21/2015] [Accepted: 09/23/2015] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Ursolic acid (UA) is a natural terpene compound exhibiting many pharmaceutical properties. In this review the current state of knowledge about the health-promoting properties of this widespread, biologically active compound, as well as information about its occurrence and biosynthesis are presented. Particular attention has been paid to the application of ursolic acid as an anti-cancer agent; it is worth noticing that clinical tests suggesting the possibility of practical use of UA have already been conducted. Amongst other pharmacological properties of UA one can mention protective effect on lungs, kidneys, liver and brain, anti-inflammatory properties, anabolic effects on skeletal muscles and the ability to suppress bone density loss leading to osteoporosis. Ursolic acid also exhibits anti-microbial features against numerous strains of bacteria, HIV and HCV viruses and Plasmodium protozoa causing malaria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Łukasz Woźniak
- Department of Fruit and Vegetable Product Technology, Institute of Agricultural and Food Biotechnology, 36 Rakowiecka Street, 02-532 Warsaw, Poland.
| | - Sylwia Skąpska
- Department of Fruit and Vegetable Product Technology, Institute of Agricultural and Food Biotechnology, 36 Rakowiecka Street, 02-532 Warsaw, Poland.
| | - Krystian Marszałek
- Department of Fruit and Vegetable Product Technology, Institute of Agricultural and Food Biotechnology, 36 Rakowiecka Street, 02-532 Warsaw, Poland.
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47
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Zhang J, Wang W, Qian L, Zhang Q, Lai D, Qi C. Ursolic acid inhibits the proliferation of human ovarian cancer stem-like cells through epithelial-mesenchymal transition. Oncol Rep 2015; 34:2375-84. [PMID: 26323892 DOI: 10.3892/or.2015.4213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2015] [Accepted: 06/26/2015] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Ovarian cancer is the most frequent cause of cancer-related death among all gynecological cancers. Increasing evidence suggests that human ovarian cancer stem-like cells could be enriched under serum-free culture conditions. In the present study, SKOV3 ovarian epithelial cancer cells were cultured for sphere cells. Ursolic acid (UA) with triterpenoid compounds exist widely in food, medicinal herbs and other plants. Evidence shows that UA has anticancer activities in human ovarian cancer cells, but he role of UA in ovarian cancer stem cells (CSCs) remains unknown. The aim of the present study was to investigate the anticancer effects of UA in combination with cisplatin in ovarian CSCs (in vitro and in vivo), along with the molecular mechanism of action. Treatment with UA at various concentrations was examined in combination with cisplatin in human ovarian CSCs. MTT assay and flow cytometry were used for cell viability and apoptosis analysis, and qRT-PCR for stem cell markers and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers for mRNA expression. Transwell assay was employed to observe the migration and invasion of SKOV3 cells and SKOV3 sphere cells after treatment. Moreover, athymic BALB/c-nu nude mice were injected with SKOV3 sphere cells to obtain a xenograft model for in vivo studies. The results showed that CSCs possessed mesenchymal characteristics and EMT ability, and the growth of SKOV3 and sphere cells was significantly inhibited by UA. Transplanted tumors were significantly reduced after injection of UA and UA plus cisplatin. Furthermore, we found that UA could play a role in enhancing the sensitivity of CSCs to cisplatin resistance. Our findings suggested that UA is involved in EMT mechanism to affect the proliferation and apoptosis of human ovarian cancer stem-like cells and it is a potent anti-ovarian cancer agent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Zhang
- Department of Gynecology, Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, P.R. China
| | - Wenjing Wang
- Department of Gynecology, Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, P.R. China
| | - Lin Qian
- Department of Gynecology, Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, P.R. China
| | - Qiuwan Zhang
- The International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai 200032, P.R. China
| | - Dongmei Lai
- The International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai 200032, P.R. China
| | - Cong Qi
- Department of Gynecology, Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, P.R. China
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Broniatowski M, Flasiński M, Hąc-Wydro K. Antagonistic effects of α-tocopherol and ursolic acid on model bacterial membranes. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA 2015; 1848:2154-62. [PMID: 26003534 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamem.2015.05.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2015] [Revised: 04/27/2015] [Accepted: 05/13/2015] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
α-tocopherol (Toc), the most active component of vitamin E can exert antagonistic effects disabling the therapy of cancers and bacterial infections. Such antagonisms were observed also between Toc and bioactive pentacyclic triterpenes (PT) exhibiting anticancer and antibacterial properties. Both Toc and PT are water-insoluble membrane active substances. Thus, our idea was to emulate their interactions with model Escherichia coli membranes. E. coli inner membranes were selected for the experiments because their lipid composition is quite simple and well characterized and the two main components are phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylglycerol. As a model of E. coli membranes we applied Langmuir monolayers formed by the E. coli total extract of polar lipids (Etotal) as well as by the main lipid components: phosphatidylethanolamine (POPE) and phosphatidylglycerol (ECPG). The antagonistic effects of ursolic acid (Urs) and Toc were investigated with the application of ternary Langmuir monolayers formed by Urs, Toc and one of the phospholipids POPE or ECPG. Our studies indicated that the affinities of Urs and Toc towards the POPE molecule are comparable; whereas there are profound differences in the interactions of Urs and Toc with ECPG. Thus, the model experiments prove that in the case of E. coli membrane, the differences in the interactions between Urs and Toc with the anionic bacterial phosphatidylglycerol can be the key factor responsible for the antagonistic effects observed between PT and Toc in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcin Broniatowski
- Department of Environmental Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, Jagiellonian University, ul. Gronostajowa 3, 30-387 Kraków, Poland.
| | - Michał Flasiński
- Department of Environmental Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, Jagiellonian University, ul. Gronostajowa 3, 30-387 Kraków, Poland
| | - Katarzyna Hąc-Wydro
- Department of Environmental Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, Jagiellonian University, ul. Gronostajowa 3, 30-387 Kraków, Poland
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Omoyeni OA, Hussein A, Meyer M, Green I, Iwuoha E. Pleiocarpa pycnantha leaves and its triterpenes induce apoptotic cell death in Caco-2 cells in vitro. Altern Ther Health Med 2015; 15:224. [PMID: 26169589 PMCID: PMC4499947 DOI: 10.1186/s12906-015-0767-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2014] [Accepted: 07/06/2015] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Background Recently, we reported that the crude fractions and pure triterpenes; ursolic acid (C1), 27-E and 27-Z p-coumaric esters of ursolic acid (C2, C3), together with a new triterpene 2,3-seco-taraxer-14-en-2,3-lactone [pycanocarpine (C4)] and its hydrolysed derivative - (2,3-seco-taraxen-4-hydroxy-14-en-2-oic acid) [pycanocarpene (C5)] from Pleiocarpa pycnantha leaves inhibit cell proliferation. However, there has not been any specific report on the use of Pleiocarpa pycnantha leaves and its constituents to kill colorectal adenocarcinoma cancer CaCo-2 cells. We performed in vitro study to evaluate the cytotoxic properties of the ethanolic extract of P. pycnanthaP, compounds C2 and C3. A preliminary study of the potential mechanisms were also undertaken. Methods Cell viability was measured by WST-1 assay. The Apoptosis level was evaluated by staining with APOPercentage™ dye and the induction of caspases 3/7 and 9 using Caspase-Glo® assays. Results The exposure of an ethanolic extract from the leaves of P. pycnantha (0.1–1000 μg/ml) and the isolated compounds C2 and C3 (6,25–100 μg/ml) to human colorectal cancer cells reduced the cell viability with an IC50 > 100, 40.9, 36.3 μg/ml for P, C2 and C3 respectively, after 24 h of incubation. The APOPercentageTM assay also showed a considerable increase in the percentage of apoptotic cells after 24 h; (25–38 % for P, 5–23 % for C2 and 6–47 % for C3). Caspase 3 was also activated which is a hallmark of apoptosis. Conclusion These findings suggest that the P. pycnantha and the isolated compounds induce cell apoptosis in human colorectal adenocarcinoma cells. A further study with other cell lines is also recommended.
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50
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May BH, Deng S, Zhang AL, Lu C, Xue CCL. In silico database screening of potential targets and pathways of compounds contained in plants used for psoriasis vulgaris. Arch Dermatol Res 2015; 307:645-57. [PMID: 26142738 DOI: 10.1007/s00403-015-1577-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2014] [Revised: 03/11/2015] [Accepted: 05/14/2015] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Reviews and meta-analyses of clinical trials identified plants used as traditional medicines (TMs) that show promise for psoriasis. These include Rehmannia glutinosa, Camptotheca acuminata, Indigo naturalis and Salvia miltiorrhiza. Compounds contained in these TMs have shown activities of relevance to psoriasis in experimental models. To further investigate the likely mechanisms of action of the multiple compounds in these TMs, we undertook a computer-based in silico investigation of the proteins known to be regulated by these compounds and their associated biological pathways. The proteins reportedly regulated by compounds in these four TMs were identified using the HIT (Herbal Ingredients' Targets) database. The resultant data were entered into the PANTHER (Protein ANnotation THrough Evolutionary Relationship) database to identify the pathways in which the proteins could be involved. The study identified 237 compounds in the TMs and these retrieved 287 proteins from HIT. These proteins identified 59 pathways in PANTHER with most proteins being located in the Apoptosis, Angiogenesis, Inflammation mediated by chemokine and cytokine, Gonadotropin releasing hormone receptor, and/or Interleukin signaling pathways. All four TMs contained compounds that had regulating effects on Apoptosis regulator BAX, Apoptosis regulator Bcl-2, Caspase-3, Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) or Prostaglandin G/H synthase 2 (COX2). The main proteins and pathways are primarily related to inflammation, proliferation and angiogenesis which are all processes involved in psoriasis. Experimental studies have reported that certain compounds from these TMs can regulate the expression of proteins involved in each of these pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian H May
- School of Health Sciences, and Traditional and Complementary Medicine Research Program, Health Innovations Research Institute, RMIT University, Bundoora, VIC, 3083, Australia
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