1
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Zhou S, Li W, Lv R, Zhang M, Liu W. Neuroprotective effects and mechanisms of action of artemisinin in retinal ganglion cells in a mouse model of traumatic optic neuropathy. Heliyon 2024; 10:e31378. [PMID: 38828288 PMCID: PMC11140598 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e31378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2023] [Revised: 05/14/2024] [Accepted: 05/15/2024] [Indexed: 06/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Traumatic optic neuropathy is known to be a critical condition that can cause blindness; however, the specific mechanism underlying optic nerve injury is unclear. Recent studies have reported that artemisinin, considered vital in malaria treatment, can also be used to treat neurodegenerative diseases; however, its precise role and mechanism of action remain unknown. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to investigate the impact and probable mechanism of action of artemisinin in retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) in a mouse model of traumatic optic neuropathy induced by optic nerve crush (ONC). Methods ONC was induced in the left eye of mice by short-term clamping of the optic nerve; oral artemisinin was administered daily. The neuroprotective effect of the drug was assessed using Tuj-1 staining in RGCs. In addition, the inflammatory response and the expression levels of phosphorylated tau protein and tau oligomers were observed using RT-qPCR, TUNEL assay, and fluorescence staining to investigate the underlying mechanisms. Results Artemisinin increased the survival rate of RGCs 14 days after ONC. Artemisinin significantly reduced the levels of inflammatory factors such as CXCL10, CXCR3, and IL-1β in the retina and decreased the apoptosis of RGCs. Moreover, downregulation of the phosphorylation of tau proteins and the expression of tau oligomers were observed after artemisinin treatment. Conclusion Our results suggest that artemisinin can increase the survival rate of RGCs after ONC and reduce their apoptosis. This effect may be achieved by inhibiting the inflammatory response it triggers and downregulating tau protein phosphorylation and tau oligomer expression. These findings suggest the potential application of artemisinin as a therapeutic agent for neuropathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shirui Zhou
- Department of Ophthalmology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Wangzi Li
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Ruohan Lv
- Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - MingChang Zhang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Wei Liu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
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2
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Elbadawi M, Efferth T. In Vivo and Clinical Studies of Natural Products Targeting the Hallmarks of Cancer. Handb Exp Pharmacol 2024. [PMID: 38797749 DOI: 10.1007/164_2024_716] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/29/2024]
Abstract
Despite more than 200 approved anticancer agents, cancer remains a leading cause of death worldwide due to disease complexity, tumour heterogeneity, drug toxicity, and the emergence of drug resistance. Accordingly, the development of chemotherapeutic agents with higher efficacy, a better safety profile, and the capability of bypassing drug resistance would be a cornerstone in cancer therapy. Natural products have played a pivotal role in the field of drug discovery, especially for the pharmacotherapy of cancer, infectious, and chronic diseases. Owing to their distinctive structures and multiple mechanistic activities, natural products and their derivatives have been utilized for decades in cancer treatment protocols. In this review, we delve into the potential of natural products as anticancer agents by targeting cancer's hallmarks, including sustained proliferative signalling, evading growth suppression, resisting apoptosis and cell death, enabling replicative immortality, inducing angiogenesis, and activating invasion and metastasis. We highlight the molecular mechanisms of some natural products, in vivo studies, and promising clinical trials. This review emphasizes the significance of natural products in fighting cancer and the need for further studies to uncover their fully therapeutic potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed Elbadawi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biology, Institute of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany
| | - Thomas Efferth
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biology, Institute of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany.
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3
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Ashoub MH, Razavi R, Heydaryan K, Salavati-Niasari M, Amiri M. Targeting ferroptosis for leukemia therapy: exploring novel strategies from its mechanisms and role in leukemia based on nanotechnology. Eur J Med Res 2024; 29:224. [PMID: 38594732 PMCID: PMC11003188 DOI: 10.1186/s40001-024-01822-7] [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: 10/05/2023] [Accepted: 03/30/2024] [Indexed: 04/11/2024] Open
Abstract
The latest findings in iron metabolism and the newly uncovered process of ferroptosis have paved the way for new potential strategies in anti-leukemia treatments. In the current project, we reviewed and summarized the current role of nanomedicine in the treatment and diagnosis of leukemia through a comparison made between traditional approaches applied in the treatment and diagnosis of leukemia via the existing investigations about the ferroptosis molecular mechanisms involved in various anti-tumor treatments. The application of nanotechnology and other novel technologies may provide a new direction in ferroptosis-driven leukemia therapies. The article explores the potential of targeting ferroptosis, a new form of regulated cell death, as a new therapeutic strategy for leukemia. It discusses the mechanisms of ferroptosis and its role in leukemia and how nanotechnology can enhance the delivery and efficacy of ferroptosis-inducing agents. The article not only highlights the promise of ferroptosis-targeted therapies and nanotechnology in revolutionizing leukemia treatment, but also calls for further research to overcome challenges and fully realize the clinical potential of this innovative approach. Finally, it discusses the challenges and opportunities in clinical applications of ferroptosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Hossein Ashoub
- Department of Hematology and Medical Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Allied Medicine, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
- Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine Innovation Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Razieh Razavi
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Jiroft, Jiroft, Iran
| | - Kamran Heydaryan
- Department of Medical Biochemical Analysis, Cihan University-Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq
| | - Masoud Salavati-Niasari
- Institute of Nano Science and Nano Technology, University of Kashan, P.O. Box 87317-51167, Kashan, Iran
| | - Mahnaz Amiri
- Student Research Committee, Faculty of Allied Medicine, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran.
- Neuroscience Research Center, Institute of Neuropharmacology, Kerman University of Medical Science, Kerman, Iran.
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4
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Xu W, Zou X, Zha Y, Zhang J, Bian H, Shen Z. Novel Bis-Artemisinin-Phloroglucinol hybrid molecules with dual anticancer and immunomodulatory Activities: Synthesis and evaluation. Bioorg Chem 2023; 139:106705. [PMID: 37406517 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2023.106705] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2023] [Revised: 06/15/2023] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/07/2023]
Abstract
Bis-(10-deoxydihydroartemisinin)-phloroglucinol (9), has been synthesized in a one-step reaction and has demonstrated strong inhibition to cancer cell proliferation and immunosuppressive activity. The structure modification of the compound reduced its cytotoxicity, and among the analogs, bis-(10-deoxydihydroartemisinin)-phloroglucinol phenyl decanoate (16) showed significant reduction of ear swelling in a mouse model for DNFB-induced delayed-type hypersensitivity without observable toxicity in a dose-dependent manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Xu
- School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 280 South Chongqing Road, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Xiaosu Zou
- School of Pharmacy, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 1200 Cai Lun Road, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Yufeng Zha
- Yunnan Baiyao Group Co. Ltd., 3686 Yunnan Baiyao Street, Kunming 650200, China
| | - Jinghua Zhang
- School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 280 South Chongqing Road, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Hongzhu Bian
- Yunnan Baiyao Group Co. Ltd., 3686 Yunnan Baiyao Street, Kunming 650200, China
| | - Zhengwu Shen
- School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 280 South Chongqing Road, Shanghai 200025, China; School of Pharmacy, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 1200 Cai Lun Road, Shanghai 201203, China.
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5
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Nie Q, Hu Y, Yu X, Li X, Fang X. Induction and application of ferroptosis in cancer therapy. Cancer Cell Int 2022; 22:12. [PMID: 34996454 PMCID: PMC8742449 DOI: 10.1186/s12935-021-02366-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2021] [Accepted: 11/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
At present, more than one cell death pathways have been found, one of which is ferroptosis. Ferroptosis was discovered in 2012 and described as an iron-dependent and lipid peroxidation-driven regulated cell death pathway. In the past few years, ferroptosis has been shown to induce tumor cell death, providing new ideas for tumor treatment. In this article, we summarize the latest advances in ferroptosis-induced tumor therapy at the intersection of tumor biology, molecular biology, redox biology, and materials chemistry. First, we state the characteristics of ferroptosis in cells, then introduce the key molecular mechanism of ferroptosis, and describes the relationship between ferroptosis and oxidative stress signaling pathways. Finally, we focused on several types of ferroptosis inducers discovered by scholars, and the application of ferroptosis in systemic chemotherapy, radiotherapy, immunotherapy and nanomedicine, in the hope that ferroptosis can exert its potential in the treatment of tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qing Nie
- China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, People's Republic of China
| | - Yue Hu
- China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiao Yu
- First Affiliated Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiao Li
- China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, People's Republic of China
| | - Xuedong Fang
- China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, People's Republic of China.
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6
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Dighal A, De Sarkar S, Gille L, Chatterjee M. Can the iron content of culture media impact on the leishmanicidal effect of artemisinin? Free Radic Res 2021; 55:282-295. [PMID: 34121571 DOI: 10.1080/10715762.2021.1939325] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Endoperoxides (EPs) like artemisinin following cleavage of their EP bridge can kill parasites via generation of carbon-centered radicals. As the presence of low molecular mass iron and/or heme is crucial, this study aimed to establish the influence of iron on the leishmanicidal action of artemisinin when present in differing amounts in culture media. In promastigotes cultured in Schneiders insect medium (SIM), that had a 8.0-fold higher amount of iron as compared to Medium 199 (M199), the impact of artemisinin on cell viability, redox status, labile iron pool (LIP), and Annexin-V positivity was evaluated. In SIM, the IC50 of artemisinin was 25.50-fold lower than M199, and in both media its cytotoxicity was decreased by the addition of hemin or following chelation of Fe2+ by Deferoxamine (DFO). In SIM vis-a-vis M199, artemisinin caused a greater redox imbalance which translated into a higher degree of externalization of phosphatidylserine and depletion of the LIP. The presence of a higher proportion of iron in SIM as compared to M199 significantly enhanced the cytotoxicity of artemisinin in Leishmania promastigotes, and was attributed to a higher degree of iron-mediated cleavage of its EP bridge that led to a higher generation of free radicals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aishwarya Dighal
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research, Kolkata, India
| | - Sritama De Sarkar
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research, Kolkata, India
| | - Lars Gille
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria
| | - Mitali Chatterjee
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research, Kolkata, India
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7
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Çapcı A, Herrmann L, Sampath Kumar HM, Fröhlich T, Tsogoeva SB. Artemisinin-derived dimers from a chemical perspective. Med Res Rev 2021; 41:2927-2970. [PMID: 34114227 DOI: 10.1002/med.21814] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2020] [Revised: 03/02/2021] [Accepted: 04/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Considerable progress has been made with the rather recently developed dimer approach, which has already found applications in the development of new effective artemisinin-derived antimalarial, anticancer, and antiviral agents. One observation common to these potential applications is the significant (i.e., much more than double) improvement in activity of artemisinin based dimers, which are not toxic to normal cells and have fewer or less harmful side effects, with respect to monomers against parasites, cancer cells and viruses. Due to the high potential of the dimerization concept, many new artemisinin-derived dimer compounds and their biological activities have been recently reported. In this review an overview of the synthesis of dimer drug candidates based on the clinically used drug artemisinin and its semisynthetic derivatives is given. Besides the highlighting of biological activities of the selected dimers, the main focus is set on different synthetic approaches toward the dimers containing a broad variety of symmetric and nonsymmetric linking moieties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aysun Çapcı
- Organic Chemistry Chair I and Interdisciplinary Center for Molecular Materials (ICMM), Friedrich Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Lars Herrmann
- Organic Chemistry Chair I and Interdisciplinary Center for Molecular Materials (ICMM), Friedrich Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Halmuthur M Sampath Kumar
- Organic Chemistry Chair I and Interdisciplinary Center for Molecular Materials (ICMM), Friedrich Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany.,CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, Hyderabad, India
| | - Tony Fröhlich
- Organic Chemistry Chair I and Interdisciplinary Center for Molecular Materials (ICMM), Friedrich Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Svetlana B Tsogoeva
- Organic Chemistry Chair I and Interdisciplinary Center for Molecular Materials (ICMM), Friedrich Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
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8
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Antileukemic efficacy of a potent artemisinin combined with sorafenib and venetoclax. Blood Adv 2021; 5:711-724. [PMID: 33560385 DOI: 10.1182/bloodadvances.2020003429] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2020] [Accepted: 12/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Artemisinins are active against human leukemia cell lines and have low clinical toxicity in worldwide use as antimalarials. Because multiagent combination regimens are necessary to cure fully evolved leukemias, we sought to leverage our previous finding that artemisinin analogs synergize with kinase inhibitors, including sorafenib (SOR), by identifying additional synergistic antileukemic drugs with low toxicity. Screening of a targeted antineoplastic drug library revealed that B-cell lymphoma 2 (BCL2) inhibitors synergize with artemisinins, and validation assays confirmed that the selective BCL2 inhibitor, venetoclax (VEN), synergized with artemisinin analogs to inhibit growth and induce apoptotic cell death of multiple acute leukemia cell lines in vitro. An oral 3-drug "SAV" regimen (SOR plus the potent artemisinin-derived trioxane diphenylphosphate 838 dimeric analog [ART838] plus VEN) killed leukemia cell lines and primary cells in vitro. Leukemia cells cultured in ART838 had decreased induced myeloid leukemia cell differentiation protein (MCL1) levels and increased levels of DNA damage-inducible transcript 3 (DDIT3; GADD153) messenger RNA and its encoded CCATT/enhancer-binding protein homologous protein (CHOP), a key component of the integrated stress response. Thus, synergy of the SAV combination may involve combined targeting of MCL1 and BCL2 via discrete, tolerable mechanisms, and cellular levels of MCL1 and DDIT3/CHOP may serve as biomarkers for action of artemisinins and SAV. Finally, SAV treatment was tolerable and resulted in deep responses with extended survival in 2 acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cell line xenograft models, both harboring a mixed lineage leukemia gene rearrangement and an FMS-like receptor tyrosine kinase-3 internal tandem duplication, and inhibited growth in 2 AML primagraft models.
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9
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Ellis T, Eze E, Raimi-Abraham BT. Malaria and Cancer: a critical review on the established associations and new perspectives. Infect Agent Cancer 2021; 16:33. [PMID: 33985540 PMCID: PMC8117320 DOI: 10.1186/s13027-021-00370-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2021] [Accepted: 04/29/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Objectives Cancer and malaria both have high incidence rates and are leading causes of mortality worldwide, especially in low and middle-income countries with reduced access to the quality healthcare. The objective of this critical review was to summarize key associations and new perspectives between the two diseases as is reported in existing literature. Methods A critical review of research articles published between 1st January 2000 – 1st July 2020 which yielded 1753 articles. These articles were screened based on a precise inclusion criteria. Eighty-nine eligible articles were identified and further evaluated. Results Many articles reported anti-cancer activities of anti-malarial medicines, including Artemisinin and its derivatives. Other articles investigated the use of chemotherapy in areas burdened by malaria, treatment complications that malaria may cause for cancer patients as well as ways to circumvent cancer related drug resistance. Potential novel targets for cancer treatment, were identified namely oncofoetal chondroitin sulphate and haem, as well as the use of circumsporozoite proteins. A number of articles also discussed Burkitt lymphoma or febrile neutropenia. Conclusions Overall, excluding for Burkitt lymphoma, the relationship between cancer and malaria requires further extensive research in order to define association. There great potential promising new novel anti-cancer therapies using anti-malarial drugs. Graphical abstract Created using BioRender![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Toby Ellis
- King's College London, School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Comprehensive Cancer Centre, Guy's Campus, Great Maze Pond, London, SE1 9RT, UK
| | - Elvis Eze
- Malaria no More UK, The Foundry, 17 Oval Way, Vauxhall, London, SE11 5RR, UK
| | - Bahijja Tolulope Raimi-Abraham
- King's College London, School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Institute of Pharmaceutical Science, Waterloo Campus, Franklin Wilkins Building, Stamford Street, London, SE1 9NH, UK.
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10
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Xu C, Xiao L, Zhang X, Zhuang T, Mu L, Yang X. Synthesis and biological activities of novel mitochondria-targeted artemisinin ester derivatives. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2021; 39:127912. [PMID: 33691167 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2021.127912] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2021] [Revised: 02/10/2021] [Accepted: 02/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
A series of novel artemisinin ester derivatives were designed and synthesized for targeting mitochondria. Cytotoxicity against SMMC-7721, HepG2, OVCAR3, A549 and J82 cancer cell lines was evaluated. Compound 2c (IC50 = 3.0 μM) was the most potent anti-proliferative molecule against the OVCAR3 cells with low cytotoxicity in normal HUVEC cells. The mechanism of action of compound 2c was further investigated by analyzing cell apoptosis, mitochondrial membrane potential (Δψm) and intracellular ROS generation. The results indicated that compound 2c targeted mitochondria and induced cell apoptosis. ROS and heme attributed to the cytotoxicity and cell apoptosis of compound 2c. These promising findings indicated the compound 2c could serve as a great candidate against ovarian cancer for further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cangcang Xu
- Key Laboratory of Study and Discovery of Small Targeted Molecules of Hunan Province, Department of Pharmacy, School of Medicine, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Linfan Xiao
- Key Laboratory of Study and Discovery of Small Targeted Molecules of Hunan Province, Department of Pharmacy, School of Medicine, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Xia Zhang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, School of Medicine, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Tao Zhuang
- Systems Biology Theme, Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Lingli Mu
- Key Laboratory of Study and Discovery of Small Targeted Molecules of Hunan Province, Department of Pharmacy, School of Medicine, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, Hunan, China.
| | - Xiaoping Yang
- Key Laboratory of Study and Discovery of Small Targeted Molecules of Hunan Province, Department of Pharmacy, School of Medicine, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, Hunan, China.
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11
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Zhu S, Yu Q, Huo C, Li Y, He L, Ran B, Chen J, Li Y, Liu W. Ferroptosis: A Novel Mechanism of Artemisinin and its Derivatives in Cancer Therapy. Curr Med Chem 2021; 28:329-345. [PMID: 31965935 DOI: 10.2174/0929867327666200121124404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2019] [Revised: 12/06/2019] [Accepted: 12/12/2019] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Artemisinin is a sesquiterpene lactone compound with a special peroxide bridge that is tightly linked to the cytotoxicity involved in fighting malaria and cancer. Artemisinin and its derivatives (ARTs) are considered to be potential anticancer drugs that promote cancer cell apoptosis, induce cell cycle arrest and autophagy, inhibit cancer cell invasion and migration. Additionally, ARTs significantly increase intracellular Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) in cancer cells, which result in ferroptosis, a new form of cell death, depending on the ferritin concentration. Ferroptosis is regarded as a cancer suppressor and as well as considered a new mechanism for cancer therapy. METHODS The anticancer activities of ARTs and reference molecules were compared by literature search and analysis. The latest research progress on ferroptosis was described, with a special focus on the molecular mechanism of artemisinin-induced ferroptosis. RESULTS Artemisinin derivatives, artemisinin-derived dimers, hybrids and artemisinin-transferrin conjugates, could significantly improve anticancer activity, and their IC50 values are lower than those of reference molecules such as doxorubicin and paclitaxel. The biological activities of linkers in dimers and hybrids are important in the drug design processes. ARTs induce ferroptosis mainly by triggering intracellular ROS production, promoting the lysosomal degradation of ferritin and regulating the System Xc-/Gpx4 axis. Interestingly, ARTs also stimulate the feedback inhibition pathway. CONCLUSION Artemisinin and its derivatives could be used in the future as cancer therapies with broader applications due to their induction of ferroptosis. Meanwhile, more attention should be paid to the development of novel artemisinin-related drugs based on the mechanism of artemisinininduced ferroptosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shunqin Zhu
- School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Qin Yu
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Chongqing University of Science and Technology, Chongqing 401331, China
| | - Chunsong Huo
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Chongqing University of Science and Technology, Chongqing 401331, China
| | - Yuanpeng Li
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Chongqing University of Science and Technology, Chongqing 401331, China
| | - Linshen He
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Chongqing University of Science and Technology, Chongqing 401331, China
| | - Botian Ran
- School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Ji Chen
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Chongqing University of Science and Technology, Chongqing 401331, China
| | - Yonghao Li
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Chongqing University of Science and Technology, Chongqing 401331, China
| | - Wanhong Liu
- School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
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12
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Li Y, Zhou X, Liu J, Yuan X, He Q. Therapeutic Potentials and Mechanisms of Artemisinin and its Derivatives for Tumorigenesis and Metastasis. Anticancer Agents Med Chem 2021; 20:520-535. [PMID: 31958040 DOI: 10.2174/1871520620666200120100252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2019] [Revised: 10/10/2019] [Accepted: 10/24/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Tumor recurrence and metastasis are still leading causes of cancer mortality worldwide. The influence of traditional treatment strategies against metastatic tumors may still be limited. To search for novel and powerful agents against tumors has become a major research focus. In this study, Artemisinin (ARM), a natural compound isolated from herbs, Artemisia annua L., proceeding from drug repurposing methods, attracts more attention due to its good efficacy and tolerance in antimalarial practices, as well as newly confirmed anticancer activity. METHODS We have searched and reviewed the literatures about ARM and its derivatives (ARMs) for cancer using keywords "artemisinin" until May 2019. RESULTS In preclinical studies, ARMs can induce cell cycle arrest and cell death by apoptosis etc., to inhibit the progression of tumors, and suppress EMT and angiogenesis to inhibit the metastasis of tumors. Notably, the complex relationships of ARMs and autophagy are worth exploring. Inspired by the limitations of its antimalarial applications and the mechanical studies of artemisinin and cancer, people are also committed to develop safer and more potent ARM-based modified compounds (ARMs) or combination therapy, such as artemisinin dimers/ trimers, artemisinin-derived hybrids. Some clinical trials support artemisinins as promising candidates for cancer therapy. CONCLUSION ARMs show potent therapeutic potentials against carcinoma including metastatic tumors. Novel compounds derived from artemisinin and relevant combination therapies are supposed to be promising treatment strategies for tumors, as the important future research directions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Li
- Department of Clinical Laboratories, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710004, China
| | - Xiaoyan Zhou
- Department of Clinical Laboratories, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710004, China
| | - Jiali Liu
- Department of Clinical Laboratories, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710004, China
| | - Xiaohong Yuan
- Department of Clinical Laboratories, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710004, China
| | - Qian He
- Department of Clinical Laboratories, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710004, China
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13
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Lee SE, Sivtseva S, Lim C, Okhlopkova Z, Cho S. Artemisia kruhsiana leaf extract induces autophagic cell death in human prostate cancer cells. Chin J Nat Med 2021; 19:134-142. [PMID: 33641784 DOI: 10.1016/s1875-5364(21)60014-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Some species of Artemisia have been reported to induce apoptosis and autophagy, but little is known of the apoptotic and autophagic effects of the stems and leaves of Artemisia kruhsiana Bess. (AkB). This study was conducted to investigate the antioxidant and anti-autophagic effects of the methanol extracts of the stems (EAkBs) and leaves (EAkBl) of AkB on human prostate cancer PC-3 cells. The antioxidant effects of EAkBs and EAkBl were measured using in vitro total flavonoid and total phenolic assays and a free radical scavenging assay. The effects of EAkBl on cell viability, apoptosis, autophagy, intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and protein expression levels were also investigated. EAkBl was found to induce apoptosis, autophagy, and intracellular ROS generation in PC-3 cells. In terms of protein levels, EAkBl reduced phospho (p)-protein kinase B (AKT)/AKT, p-mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR)/mTOR, B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2)/Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax) ratios, and the activations of beclin 1/β-actin and microtubule-associated protein 1A/1B-light chain 3 (LC3) II/LC3 I ratios in PC-3 cells. The results of this study indicate EAkBl has antioxidant and anticancer effects on prostate cancer cells, and that these effects are associated with suppressions of p-AKT, p-mTOR, Bcl-2, and Bax, and the activations of beclin 1 and LC3. Our results indicate EAkBl has potential as a treatment for prostate cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Se-Eun Lee
- School of Korean Medicine, Pusan National University, Yangsan-si 50612, Republic of Korea
| | - Sardana Sivtseva
- Department of Biology, North-Eastern Federal University, Yakutsk 677-027, Russia
| | - Chiyeon Lim
- College of Medicine, Dongguk University, Gyeonggi-do 10326, Republic of Korea
| | - Zhanna Okhlopkova
- Department of Biology, North-Eastern Federal University, Yakutsk 677-027, Russia.
| | - Suin Cho
- School of Korean Medicine, Pusan National University, Yangsan-si 50612, Republic of Korea.
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14
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Chen X, Kang R, Kroemer G, Tang D. Broadening horizons: the role of ferroptosis in cancer. Nat Rev Clin Oncol 2021; 18:280-296. [PMID: 33514910 DOI: 10.1038/s41571-020-00462-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1237] [Impact Index Per Article: 412.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/08/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The discovery of regulated cell death processes has enabled advances in cancer treatment. In the past decade, ferroptosis, an iron-dependent form of regulated cell death driven by excessive lipid peroxidation, has been implicated in the development and therapeutic responses of various types of tumours. Experimental reagents (such as erastin and RSL3), approved drugs (for example, sorafenib, sulfasalazine, statins and artemisinin), ionizing radiation and cytokines (such as IFNγ and TGFβ1) can induce ferroptosis and suppress tumour growth. However, ferroptotic damage can trigger inflammation-associated immunosuppression in the tumour microenvironment, thus favouring tumour growth. The extent to which ferroptosis affects tumour biology is unclear, although several studies have found important correlations between mutations in cancer-relevant genes (for example, RAS and TP53), in genes encoding proteins involved in stress response pathways (such as NFE2L2 signalling, autophagy and hypoxia) and the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, and responses to treatments that activate ferroptosis. Herein, we present the key molecular mechanisms of ferroptosis, describe the crosstalk between ferroptosis and tumour-associated signalling pathways, and discuss the potential applications of ferroptosis in the context of systemic therapy, radiotherapy and immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Chen
- Guangzhou Municipal and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Protein Modification and Degradation, The Third Affiliated Hospital, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China.,Affiliated Cancer Hospital & Institute of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China.,Department of Surgery, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Rui Kang
- Department of Surgery, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Guido Kroemer
- Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, Equipe labellisée par la Ligue contre le cancer, Université de Paris, Sorbonne Université, INSERM U1138, Institut Universitaire de France, Paris, France. .,Metabolomics and Cell Biology Platforms, Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus, Villejuif, France. .,Pôle de Biologie, Hôpital Européen Georges Pompidou, AP-HP, Paris, France. .,Suzhou Institute for Systems Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Suzhou, China. .,Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Daolin Tang
- Guangzhou Municipal and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Protein Modification and Degradation, The Third Affiliated Hospital, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China. .,Department of Surgery, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA.
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15
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Pagliaro L, Marchesini M, Roti G. Targeting oncogenic Notch signaling with SERCA inhibitors. J Hematol Oncol 2021; 14:8. [PMID: 33407740 PMCID: PMC7789735 DOI: 10.1186/s13045-020-01015-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2020] [Accepted: 12/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
P-type ATPase inhibitors are among the most successful and widely prescribed therapeutics in modern pharmacology. Clinical transition has been safely achieved for H+/K+ ATPase inhibitors such as omeprazole and Na+/K+-ATPase inhibitors like digoxin. However, this is more challenging for Ca2+-ATPase modulators due to the physiological role of Ca2+ in cardiac dynamics. Over the past two decades, sarco-endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase (SERCA) modulators have been studied as potential chemotherapy agents because of their Ca2+-mediated pan-cancer lethal effects. Instead, recent evidence suggests that SERCA inhibition suppresses oncogenic Notch1 signaling emerging as an alternative to γ-secretase modulators that showed limited clinical activity due to severe side effects. In this review, we focus on how SERCA inhibitors alter Notch1 signaling and show that Notch on-target-mediated antileukemia properties of these molecules can be achieved without causing overt Ca2+ cellular overload.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luca Pagliaro
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, 43126, Parma, Italy
| | - Matteo Marchesini
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, 43126, Parma, Italy
| | - Giovanni Roti
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, 43126, Parma, Italy.
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16
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Lu X, Efferth T. Repurposing of artemisinin-type drugs for the treatment of acute leukemia. Semin Cancer Biol 2021; 68:291-312. [DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2020.05.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2020] [Revised: 05/22/2020] [Accepted: 05/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
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17
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Yang J, He Y, Li Y, Zhang X, Wong YK, Shen S, Zhong T, Zhang J, Liu Q, Wang J. Advances in the research on the targets of anti-malaria actions of artemisinin. Pharmacol Ther 2020; 216:107697. [PMID: 33035577 PMCID: PMC7537645 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2020.107697] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2020] [Revised: 09/30/2020] [Accepted: 09/30/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Malaria has been a global epidemic health threat since ancient times. It still claims roughly half a million lives every year in this century. Artemisinin and its derivatives, are frontline antimalarial drugs known for their efficacy and low toxicity. After decades of wide use, artemisinins remain our bulwark against malaria. Here, we review decades of efforts that aim to understand the mechanism of action (MOA) of artemisinins, which help explain the specificity and potency of this anti-malarial drug. We summarize the methods and approaches employed to unravel the MOA of artemisinin over the last three decades, showing how the development of advanced techniques can help provide mechanistic insights and resolve some long-standing questions in the field of artemisinin research. We also provide examples to illustrate how to better repurpose artemisinins for anti-cancer therapies by leveraging on MOA. These examples point out a practical direction to engineer artemisinin for broader applications beyond malaria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Yang
- Key Laboratory of Prevention and Treatment of Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Diseases, Ministry of Education, Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, China; Artemisinin Research Center, and Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yingke He
- Key Laboratory of Prevention and Treatment of Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Diseases, Ministry of Education, Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, China; Department of Anaesthesiology, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore
| | - Yinbao Li
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, JiangXi 341000, China
| | - Xing Zhang
- Artemisinin Research Center, and Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yin-Kwan Wong
- Artemisinin Research Center, and Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Shengnan Shen
- Artemisinin Research Center, and Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Tianyu Zhong
- Key Laboratory of Prevention and Treatment of Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Diseases, Ministry of Education, Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, China; Laboratory Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital of Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, China.
| | - Jianbin Zhang
- Department of Oncology, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, People's Hospital of Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China.
| | - Qian Liu
- Key Laboratory of Prevention and Treatment of Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Diseases, Ministry of Education, Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, China.
| | - Jigang Wang
- Key Laboratory of Prevention and Treatment of Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Diseases, Ministry of Education, Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, China; Artemisinin Research Center, and Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China; Central People's Hospital of Zhanjiang, Zhanjiang, Guangdong, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.
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18
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Xu C, Zhang H, Mu L, Yang X. Artemisinins as Anticancer Drugs: Novel Therapeutic Approaches, Molecular Mechanisms, and Clinical Trials. Front Pharmacol 2020; 11:529881. [PMID: 33117153 PMCID: PMC7573816 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2020.529881] [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: 01/28/2020] [Accepted: 09/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Artemisinin and its derivatives have shown broad-spectrum antitumor activities in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, outcomes from a limited number of clinical trials provide encouraging evidence for their excellent antitumor activities. However, some problems such as poor solubility, toxicity and controversial mechanisms of action hamper their use as effective antitumor agents in the clinic. In order to accelerate the use of ARTs in the clinic, researchers have recently developed novel therapeutic approaches including developing novel derivatives, manufacturing novel nano-formulations, and combining ARTs with other drugs for cancer therapy. The related mechanisms of action were explored. This review describes ARTs used to induce non-apoptotic cell death containing oncosis, autophagy, and ferroptosis. Moreover, it highlights the ARTs-caused effects on cancer metabolism, immunosuppression and cancer stem cells and discusses clinical trials of ARTs used to treat cancer. The review provides additional insight into the molecular mechanism of action of ARTs and their considerable clinical potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cangcang Xu
- Key Laboratory of Study and Discovery of Small Targeted Molecules of Hunan Province, Department of Pharmacy, School of Medicine, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, China
| | - Huihui Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Study and Discovery of Small Targeted Molecules of Hunan Province, Department of Pharmacy, School of Medicine, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, China
| | - Lingli Mu
- Key Laboratory of Study and Discovery of Small Targeted Molecules of Hunan Province, Department of Pharmacy, School of Medicine, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, China
| | - Xiaoping Yang
- Key Laboratory of Study and Discovery of Small Targeted Molecules of Hunan Province, Department of Pharmacy, School of Medicine, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, China
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19
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Kiani BH, Kayani WK, Khayam AU, Dilshad E, Ismail H, Mirza B. Artemisinin and its derivatives: a promising cancer therapy. Mol Biol Rep 2020; 47:6321-6336. [PMID: 32710388 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-020-05669-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2020] [Accepted: 07/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
The world is experiencing a cancer epidemic and an increase in the prevalence of the disease. Cancer remains a major killer, accounting for more than half a million deaths annually. There is a wide range of natural products that have the potential to treat this disease. One of these products is artemisinin; a natural product from Artemisia plant. The Nobel Prize for Medicine was awarded in 2015 for the discovery of artemisinin in recognition of the drug's efficacy. Artemisinin produces highly reactive free radicals by the breakdown of two oxygen atoms that kill cancerous cells. These cells sequester iron and accumulate as much as 1000 times in comparison with normal cells. Generally, chemotherapy is toxic to both cancerous cells and normal cells, while no significant cytotoxicity from artemisinin to normal cells has been found in more than 4000 case studies, which makes it far different than conventional chemotherapy. The pleiotropic response of artemisinin in cancer cells is responsible for growth inhibition by multiple ways including inhibition of angiogenesis, apoptosis, cell cycle arrest, disruption of cell migration, and modulation of nuclear receptor responsiveness. It is very encouraging that artemisinin and its derivatives are anticipated to be a novel class of broad-spectrum antitumor agents based on efficacy and safety. This review aims to highlight these achievements and propose potential strategies to develop artemisinin and its derivatives as a new class of cancer therapeutic agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bushra Hafeez Kiani
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Basic and Applied Sciences, International Islamic University, Islamabad, 44000, Pakistan.
| | - Waqas Khan Kayani
- Department of Plant Breeding, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Växtskyddsvägen 1, 23053, Alnarp, Sweden
| | - Asma Umer Khayam
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Quaid-I-Azam University, Islamabad, 45320, Pakistan
| | - Erum Dilshad
- Department of Bioinformatics and Biosciences, Capital University of Science and Technology, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Hammad Ismail
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Gujrat, Gujrat, 50700, Pakistan
| | - Bushra Mirza
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Quaid-I-Azam University, Islamabad, 45320, Pakistan
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20
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Elhassanny AEM, Soliman E, Marie M, McGuire P, Gul W, ElSohly M, Van Dross R. Heme-Dependent ER Stress Apoptosis: A Mechanism for the Selective Toxicity of the Dihydroartemisinin, NSC735847, in Colorectal Cancer Cells. Front Oncol 2020; 10:965. [PMID: 32626657 PMCID: PMC7313430 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2020.00965] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2019] [Accepted: 05/15/2020] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a leading cause of cancer death in the United States. Artemisinin derivatives, including the dihydroartemisinin (DHA) monomers, are widely used as clinical agents for the treatment of malaria. Numerous studies demonstrate that these molecules also display antineoplastic activity with minimal toxicity. Of interest, dimeric DHA molecules are more active than their monomeric counterparts. Our previous data showed that the DHA dimer, NSC735847, was a potent inducer of death in different cancer cell types. However, the mechanism of action and activity of NSC735847 in colon cancer cells was not explored. The present study investigated the anticancer activity of NSC735847 and four structurally similar analog in human tumorigenic (HT-29 and HCT-116) and non-tumorigenic (FHC) colon cell lines. NSC735847 was more cytotoxic toward tumorigenic than non-tumorigenic colonocytes. In addition, NSC735847 exhibited greater cytotoxicity and tumor selectivity than the NSC735847 derivatives. To gain insight into mechanisms of NSC735847 activity, the requirement for endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and oxidative stress was tested. The data show that ER stress played a key role in the cytotoxicity of NSC735847 while oxidative stress had little impact on cell fate. In addition, it was observed that the cytotoxic activity of NSC735847 required the presence of heme, but not iron. The activity of NSC735847 was then compared to clinically utilized CRC therapeutics. NSC735847 was cytotoxic toward colon tumor cells at lower concentrations than oxaliplatin (OX). In addition, cell death was achieved at lower concentrations in colon cancer cells that were co-treated with folinic acid (Fol), 5-FU (F), and NSC735847 (FolFNSC), than Fol, F, and OX (FolFOX). The selective activity of NSC735847 and its ability to induce cytotoxicity at low concentrations suggest that NSC735847 may be an alternative for oxaliplatin in the FolFOX regimen for patients who are unable to tolerate its adverse effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmed E M Elhassanny
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, United States
| | - Eman Soliman
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt
| | - Mona Marie
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, United States
| | - Paul McGuire
- Medical Doctor Program, Brody School of Medicine, Greenville, NC, United States
| | - Waseem Gul
- ElSohly Laboratories Inc., Oxford, MS, United States.,National Center for Natural Products Research, School of Pharmacy, The University of Mississippi, Oxford, MS, United States
| | - Mahmoud ElSohly
- ElSohly Laboratories Inc., Oxford, MS, United States.,National Center for Natural Products Research, School of Pharmacy, The University of Mississippi, Oxford, MS, United States
| | - Rukiyah Van Dross
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, United States.,Center for Health Disparities, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, United States
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21
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Fan Z, Jiang B, Zhu Q, Xiang S, Tu L, Yang Y, Zhao Q, Huang D, Han J, Su G, Ge D, Hou Z. Tumor-Specific Endogenous Fe II-Activated, MRI-Guided Self-Targeting Gadolinium-Coordinated Theranostic Nanoplatforms for Amplification of ROS and Enhanced Chemodynamic Chemotherapy. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2020; 12:14884-14904. [PMID: 32167740 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.0c00970] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Low drug payload and lack of tumor-targeting for chemodynamic therapy (CDT) result in an insufficient reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, which seriously hinders its further clinical application. Therefore, how to improve the drug payload and tumor targeting for amplification of ROS and combine it with chemotherapy has been a huge challenge in CDT. Herein, methotrexate (MTX), gadolinium (Gd), and artesunate (ASA) were used as theranostic building blocks to be coordinately assembled into tumor-specific endogenous FeII-activated and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-guided self-targeting carrier-free nanoplatforms (NPs) for amplification of ROS and enhanced chemodynamic chemotherapy. The obtained ASA-MTX-GdIII NPs exhibited extremely high drug payload (∼96 wt %), excellent physiological stability, long circulating ability (half-time: ∼12 h), and outstanding tumor accumulation. Moreover, ASA-MTX-GdIII NPs could be specifically uptaken by tumor cells via folate (FA) receptors and subsequently be disassembled via lysosomal acidity-induced coordination breakage, resulting in drug burst release. Most strikingly, the produced ASA could be catalyzed by tumor-specific overexpressed endogenous FeII ions to generate sufficient ROS for enhancing the main chemodynamic efficacy, which could exert a synergistic effect with the assistant chemotherapy of MTX. Interestingly, ASA-MTX-GdIII NPs caused a lower ROS generation and toxicity on normal cell lines that seldom expressed endogenous FeII ions. Under MRI guidance with assistance of self-targeting, significantly superior synergistic tumor therapy was performed on FA receptor-overexpressed tumor-bearing mice with a higher ROS generation and an almost complete elimination of tumor. This work highlights ASA-MTX-GdIII NPs as an efficient chemodynamic-chemotherapeutic agent for MRI imaging and tumor theranostics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhongxiong Fan
- Department of Biomaterials, College of Materials, Research Center of Biomedical Engineering of Xiamen & Key Laboratory of Biomedical Engineering of Fujian Province & Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory for Soft Functional Materials Research, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China
| | - Beili Jiang
- Department of Biomaterials, College of Materials, Research Center of Biomedical Engineering of Xiamen & Key Laboratory of Biomedical Engineering of Fujian Province & Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory for Soft Functional Materials Research, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China
| | - Qixin Zhu
- School of Pharmaceutical Science, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Innovative Drug Target Research, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China
| | - Sijin Xiang
- State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, College of Chemistry & Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China
| | - Li Tu
- Department of Biomaterials, College of Materials, Research Center of Biomedical Engineering of Xiamen & Key Laboratory of Biomedical Engineering of Fujian Province & Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory for Soft Functional Materials Research, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China
| | - Yifan Yang
- Department of Biomaterials, College of Materials, Research Center of Biomedical Engineering of Xiamen & Key Laboratory of Biomedical Engineering of Fujian Province & Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory for Soft Functional Materials Research, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China
| | - Qingliang Zhao
- Center for Molecular Imaging and Translational Medicine, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China
| | - Doudou Huang
- Center for Molecular Imaging and Translational Medicine, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China
| | - Jian Han
- School of Electronic Science and Engineering, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Plasma and Magnetic Resonance, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China
| | - Guanghao Su
- Children's Hospital, Soochow University, Suzhou 215025, China
| | - Dongtao Ge
- Department of Biomaterials, College of Materials, Research Center of Biomedical Engineering of Xiamen & Key Laboratory of Biomedical Engineering of Fujian Province & Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory for Soft Functional Materials Research, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China
| | - Zhenqing Hou
- Department of Biomaterials, College of Materials, Research Center of Biomedical Engineering of Xiamen & Key Laboratory of Biomedical Engineering of Fujian Province & Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory for Soft Functional Materials Research, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China
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22
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Geroldinger G, Tonner M, Quirgst J, Walter M, De Sarkar S, Machín L, Monzote L, Stolze K, Catharina Duvigneau J, Staniek K, Chatterjee M, Gille L. Activation of artemisinin and heme degradation in Leishmania tarentolae promastigotes: A possible link. Biochem Pharmacol 2020; 173:113737. [PMID: 31786259 PMCID: PMC7116464 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2019.113737] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2019] [Accepted: 11/26/2019] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Endoperoxides (EPs) appear to be promising drug candidates against protozoal diseases, including malaria and leishmaniasis. Previous studies have shown that these drugs need an intracellular activation to exert their pharmacological potential. The efficiency of these drugs is linked to the extensive iron demand of these intracellular protozoal parasites. An essential step of the activation mechanism of these drugs is the formation of radicals in Leishmania. Iron is a known trigger for intracellular radical formation. However, the activation of EPs by low molecular iron or by heme iron may strongly depend on the structure of the EPs themselves. In this study, we focused on the activation of artemisinin (Art) in Leishmania tarentolae promastigotes (LtP) in comparison to reference compounds. Viability assays in different media in the presence of different iron sources (hemin/fetal calf serum) showed that IC50 values of Art in LtP were modulated by assay conditions, but overall were within the low micromolar range. Low temperature electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy of LtP showed that Art shifted the redox state of the labile iron pool less than the EP ascaridole questioning its role as a major activator of Art in LtP. Based on the high reactivity of Art with hemin in previous biomimetic experiments, we focused on putative heme-metabolizing enzymes in Leishmania, which were so far not well described. Inhibitors of mammalian heme oxygenase (HO; tin and chromium mesoporphyrin) acted antagonistically to Art in LtP and boosted its IC50 value for several magnitudes. By inductively coupled plasma methods (ICP-OES, ICP-MS) we showed that these inhibitors do not block iron (heme) accumulation, but are taken up and act within LtP. These inhibitors blocked the conversion of hemin to bilirubin in LtP homogenates, suggesting that an HO-like enzyme activity in LtP exists. NADPH-dependent degradation of Art and hemin was highest in the small granule and microsomal fractions of LtP. Photometric measurements in the model Art/hemin demonstrated that hemin requires reduction to heme and that subsequently an Art/heme complex (λmax 474 nm) is formed. EPR spin-trapping in the system Art/hemin revealed that NADPH, ascorbate and cysteine are suitable reductants and finally activate Art to acyl-carbon centered radicals. These findings suggest that heme is a major activator of Art in LtP either via HO-like enzyme activities and/or chemical interaction of heme with Art.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gerald Geroldinger
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria
| | - Matthias Tonner
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria
| | - Judith Quirgst
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria
| | - Martin Walter
- Department of Environmental Geosciences, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Sritama De Sarkar
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Post Graduate Medical Education & Research, Kolkata, India
| | - Laura Machín
- Institute of Pharmacy and Food, Havana University, Havana, Cuba
| | - Lianet Monzote
- Parasitology Department, Institute of Tropical Medicine "Pedro Kouri", Havana, Cuba
| | - Klaus Stolze
- Institute of Animal Nutrition and Functional Plant Compounds, Department of Farm Animals and Veterinary Public Health, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria
| | - J Catharina Duvigneau
- Institute for Medical Biochemistry, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria
| | - Katrin Staniek
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria
| | - Mitali Chatterjee
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Post Graduate Medical Education & Research, Kolkata, India
| | - Lars Gille
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria.
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23
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Ding L, Chen HY, Wang JY, Xiong HF, He WH, Xia L, Lu NH, Zhu Y. Severity of acute gastrointestinal injury grade is a good predictor of mortality in critically ill patients with acute pancreatitis. World J Gastroenterol 2020; 26:514-523. [PMID: 32089627 PMCID: PMC7015716 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v26.i5.514] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2019] [Revised: 01/07/2020] [Accepted: 01/14/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Gastrointestinal (GI) dysfunction is a common and important complication of acute pancreatitis (AP), especially in patients with severe AP. Despite this, there is no consensus means of obtaining a precise assessment of GI function.
AIM To determine the association between acute gastrointestinal injury (AGI) grade and clinical outcomes in critically ill patients with AP.
METHODS Patients with AP admitted to our pancreatic intensive care unit from May 2017 to May 2019 were enrolled. GI function was assessed according to the AGI grade proposed by the European Society of Intensive Care Medicine in 2012, which is mainly based on GI symptoms, intra-abdominal pressure, and feeding intolerance in the first week of admission to the intensive care unit. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to assess the association between AGI grade and clinical outcomes in critically ill patients with AP.
RESULTS Among the 286 patients included, the distribution of patients with various AGI grades was 34.62% with grade I, 22.03% with grade II, 32.52% with grade III, and 10.84% with grade IV. The distribution of mortality was 0% among those with grade I, 6.35% among those with grade II, 30.11% among those with grade III, and 61.29% among those with grade IV, and AGI grade was positively correlated with mortality (χ2 = 31.511, P < 0.0001). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that age, serum calcium level, AGI grade, persistent renal failure, and persistent circulatory failure were independently associated with mortality. Compared with the Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II score (area under the curve: 0.739 vs 0.854; P < 0.05) and Ranson score (area under the curve: 0.72 vs 0.854; P < 0.01), the AGI grade was more useful for predicting mortality.
CONCLUSION AGI grade is useful for identifying the severity of GI dysfunction and can be used as a predictor of mortality in critically ill patients with AP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ling Ding
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang 330006, Jiangxi Province, China
| | - Hong-Yan Chen
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang 330006, Jiangxi Province, China
| | - Jin-Yun Wang
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang 330006, Jiangxi Province, China
| | - Hui-Fang Xiong
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang 330006, Jiangxi Province, China
| | - Wen-Hua He
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang 330006, Jiangxi Province, China
| | - Liang Xia
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang 330006, Jiangxi Province, China
| | - Nong-Hua Lu
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang 330006, Jiangxi Province, China
| | - Yin Zhu
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang 330006, Jiangxi Province, China
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Xiao R, Ding C, Zhu H, Liu X, Gao J, Liu Q, Lu D, Zhang N, Zhang A, Zhou H. Suppression of asparagine synthetase enhances the antitumor potency of ART and artemalogue SOMCL-14-221 in non-small cell lung cancer. Cancer Lett 2020; 475:22-33. [PMID: 32014457 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2020.01.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2019] [Revised: 01/16/2020] [Accepted: 01/30/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is one of the leading causes of cancer-related mortality. Artemisinin (ART) and SOMCL-14-221 (221), a spirobicyclic analogue of ART, have been reported to inhibit the proliferation of A549 cells with unclear underlying mechanism. In the present study, we validated that both ART and 221 inhibited the proliferation and migration of NSCLC cells and the growth of A549 xenograft tumors without appreciable toxicity. The proteomic data revealed proteins upregulated in ART and 221 groups were involved in "response to endoplasmic reticulum stress" and "amino acid metabolism". Asparagine synthetase (ASNS) was identified as a key node protein in these processes. Interestingly, knockdown of ASNS improved the antitumor potency of ART and 221 in vitro and in vivo, and treatments with ART and 221 disordered the amino acid metabolism of A549 cells. Moreover, ART and 221 activated ER stress, and inhibition of ER stress abolished the anti-proliferative effects of ART and 221. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that ART and 221 suppress tumor growth by triggering ER stress, and the inhibition of ASNS enhances the antitumor activity of ART and 221, which provides new strategy for drug combination therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruoxuan Xiao
- CAS Key Laboratory of Receptor Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 555 Zuchongzhi Road, Shanghai, 201203, China; Department of Analytical Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, No.19A Yuquan Road, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Chunyong Ding
- CAS Key Laboratory of Receptor Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 555 Zuchongzhi Road, Shanghai, 201203, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, No.19A Yuquan Road, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Hongwen Zhu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Receptor Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 555 Zuchongzhi Road, Shanghai, 201203, China; Department of Analytical Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Xia Liu
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Jing Gao
- CAS Key Laboratory of Receptor Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 555 Zuchongzhi Road, Shanghai, 201203, China; Department of Analytical Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Qian Liu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Receptor Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 555 Zuchongzhi Road, Shanghai, 201203, China; Department of Analytical Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, No.19A Yuquan Road, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Dayun Lu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Receptor Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 555 Zuchongzhi Road, Shanghai, 201203, China; Department of Analytical Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, No.19A Yuquan Road, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Naixia Zhang
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, No.19A Yuquan Road, Beijing, 100049, China.
| | - Ao Zhang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Receptor Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 555 Zuchongzhi Road, Shanghai, 201203, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, No.19A Yuquan Road, Beijing, 100049, China.
| | - Hu Zhou
- CAS Key Laboratory of Receptor Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 555 Zuchongzhi Road, Shanghai, 201203, China; Department of Analytical Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, No.19A Yuquan Road, Beijing, 100049, China.
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25
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Gao F, Sun Z, Kong F, Xiao J. Artemisinin-derived hybrids and their anticancer activity. Eur J Med Chem 2020; 188:112044. [PMID: 31945642 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2020.112044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2019] [Revised: 01/01/2020] [Accepted: 01/06/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The emergence of drug-resistance and the low specificity of anticancer agents are the major challenges in the treatment of cancer and can result in many side effects, creating an urgent demand to develop novel anticancer agents. Artemisinin-derived compounds, bearing a peroxide-containing sesquiterpene lactone moiety, could form free radicals with high reactivity and possess diverse pharmaceutical properties including in vitro and in vivo anticancer activity besides their typical antimalarial activity. Hybrid molecules have the potential to improve the specificity and overcome the drug resistance, therefore hybridization of artemisinin skeleton with other anticancer pharmacophores may provide novel anticancer candidates with high specificity and great potency against drug-resistant cancers. The review outlines the recent advances of artemisinin-derived hybrids as potential anticancer agents, and the structure-activity relationships are also discussed to provide an insight for rational designs of novel hybrids with high activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feng Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Biobased Material and Green Papermaking (LBMP), Qilu University of Technology (Shandong Academy of Sciences), Jinan, PR China.
| | - Zhou Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Biobased Material and Green Papermaking (LBMP), Qilu University of Technology (Shandong Academy of Sciences), Jinan, PR China
| | - Fangong Kong
- State Key Laboratory of Biobased Material and Green Papermaking (LBMP), Qilu University of Technology (Shandong Academy of Sciences), Jinan, PR China
| | - Jiaqi Xiao
- State Key Laboratory of Biobased Material and Green Papermaking (LBMP), Qilu University of Technology (Shandong Academy of Sciences), Jinan, PR China.
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26
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Zhang B. Artemisinin‐derived dimers as potential anticancer agents: Current developments, action mechanisms, and structure–activity relationships. Arch Pharm (Weinheim) 2019; 353:e1900240. [DOI: 10.1002/ardp.201900240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2019] [Revised: 10/26/2019] [Accepted: 11/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Bo Zhang
- School of Chemistry and Life ScienceAnshan Normal University Anshan Liaoning China
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27
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Design and synthesis of novel artemisinin derivatives with potent activities against colorectal cancer in vitro and in vivo. Eur J Med Chem 2019; 182:111665. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2019.111665] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2019] [Revised: 08/29/2019] [Accepted: 08/29/2019] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
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Wang L, Hu Y, Hao Y, Li L, Zheng C, Zhao H, Niu M, Yin Y, Zhang Z, Zhang Y. Tumor-targeting core-shell structured nanoparticles for drug procedural controlled release and cancer sonodynamic combined therapy. J Control Release 2018; 286:74-84. [PMID: 30026078 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2018.07.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2018] [Revised: 07/13/2018] [Accepted: 07/15/2018] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Combination therapy with multiple drugs or/and multiple assistant treatments has become a hot spot in cancer therapy. In this study, a new type of core-shell structured dual-drug delivery system based on poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA, inner cores) and hyaluronic acid (HA, outer shells) was constructed. Firstly, HA was conjugated to PLGA for preparation of HA-PLGA block copolymer. Secondly, 5-amino levulinic acid (ALA) was connected to PLGA through a pH-sensitive hydrazone bond for synthesization of PLGA-HBA-ALA. Finally, the core-shell structured nanoparticles (HA-PLGA@ART/ALA NPs) were constructed by self-assembled method for artemisinin (ART) loading in PLGA cores. In this co-delivery system, ALA and ART can be released in a manner of procedural controlled release. ALA was released from the NPs at first though the pH sensitive hydrazone bond cleavage in order to generate protoporphyrin IX (PpIX) for heme formation. And the increase of heme can effectively improve the curative effect of the subsequent released ART. Furthermore, this system has also shown obvious sonodynaimc activity which can be used for cancer sonodynamic combination therapy. The in vitro and in vivo anticancer results demonstrate that HA-PLGA@ART/ALA delivery system could provide a prospective comprehensive treatment strategy for cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Wang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, 100 Kexue Avenue, Zhengzhou 450001, China; Key Laboratory of Targeting Therapy and Diagnosis for Critical Diseases, Zhengzhou 450001, PR China; Collaborative Innovation Centre of New Drug Research and Safety Evaluation, Henan Province, 100 Kexue Avenue, Zhengzhou 450001, PR China
| | - Yujie Hu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, 100 Kexue Avenue, Zhengzhou 450001, China; Key Laboratory of Targeting Therapy and Diagnosis for Critical Diseases, Zhengzhou 450001, PR China; Collaborative Innovation Centre of New Drug Research and Safety Evaluation, Henan Province, 100 Kexue Avenue, Zhengzhou 450001, PR China; The 7(th) People's Hospital of Zhengzhou, 450006, PR China
| | - Yongwei Hao
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, 100 Kexue Avenue, Zhengzhou 450001, China; Key Laboratory of Targeting Therapy and Diagnosis for Critical Diseases, Zhengzhou 450001, PR China; Collaborative Innovation Centre of New Drug Research and Safety Evaluation, Henan Province, 100 Kexue Avenue, Zhengzhou 450001, PR China
| | - Li Li
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, 100 Kexue Avenue, Zhengzhou 450001, China; Key Laboratory of Targeting Therapy and Diagnosis for Critical Diseases, Zhengzhou 450001, PR China; Collaborative Innovation Centre of New Drug Research and Safety Evaluation, Henan Province, 100 Kexue Avenue, Zhengzhou 450001, PR China
| | - Cuixia Zheng
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, 100 Kexue Avenue, Zhengzhou 450001, China; Key Laboratory of Targeting Therapy and Diagnosis for Critical Diseases, Zhengzhou 450001, PR China; Collaborative Innovation Centre of New Drug Research and Safety Evaluation, Henan Province, 100 Kexue Avenue, Zhengzhou 450001, PR China
| | - Hongjuan Zhao
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, 100 Kexue Avenue, Zhengzhou 450001, China; Key Laboratory of Targeting Therapy and Diagnosis for Critical Diseases, Zhengzhou 450001, PR China; Collaborative Innovation Centre of New Drug Research and Safety Evaluation, Henan Province, 100 Kexue Avenue, Zhengzhou 450001, PR China
| | - Mengya Niu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, 100 Kexue Avenue, Zhengzhou 450001, China; Key Laboratory of Targeting Therapy and Diagnosis for Critical Diseases, Zhengzhou 450001, PR China; Collaborative Innovation Centre of New Drug Research and Safety Evaluation, Henan Province, 100 Kexue Avenue, Zhengzhou 450001, PR China
| | - Yanyan Yin
- College of Basic Medicine, Xinxiang Medical University, 601 Jinsui Avenue, Xinxiang 453003, PR China
| | - Zhenzhong Zhang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, 100 Kexue Avenue, Zhengzhou 450001, China; Key Laboratory of Targeting Therapy and Diagnosis for Critical Diseases, Zhengzhou 450001, PR China; Collaborative Innovation Centre of New Drug Research and Safety Evaluation, Henan Province, 100 Kexue Avenue, Zhengzhou 450001, PR China.
| | - Yun Zhang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, 100 Kexue Avenue, Zhengzhou 450001, China; Key Laboratory of Targeting Therapy and Diagnosis for Critical Diseases, Zhengzhou 450001, PR China; Collaborative Innovation Centre of New Drug Research and Safety Evaluation, Henan Province, 100 Kexue Avenue, Zhengzhou 450001, PR China.
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Lv LX, Zhou ZX, Zhou Z, Zhang LJ, Yan R, Zhao Z, Yang LY, Bian XY, Jiang HY, Li YD, Sun YS, Xu QQ, Hu GL, Guan WJ, Li YQ. Hispidin induces autophagic and necrotic death in SGC-7901 gastric cancer cells through lysosomal membrane permeabilization by inhibiting tubulin polymerization. Oncotarget 2018; 8:26992-27006. [PMID: 28460485 PMCID: PMC5432313 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.15935] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2016] [Accepted: 02/20/2017] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Hispidin and its derivatives are widely distributed in edible mushrooms. Hispidin is more cytotoxic to A549, SCL-1, Bel7402 and Capan-1 cancer cells than to MRC5 normal cells; by contrast, hispidin protects H9c2 cardiomyoblast cells from hydrogen peroxide-induced or doxorubicin-induced apoptosis. Consequently, further research on how hispidin affects normal and cancer cells may help treat cancer and reduce chemotherapy-induced side effects. This study showed that hispidin caused caspase-independent death in SGC-7901 cancer cells but not in GES-1 normal cells. Hispidin-induced increases in LC3-II occurred in SGC-7901 cells in a time independent manner. Cell death can be partially inhibited by treatment with ATG5 siRNA but not by autophagy or necroptosis inhibitors. Ultrastructural evidence indicated that hispidin-induced necrotic cell death involved autophagy. Hispidin-induced lysosomal membrane permeabilization (LMP) related to complex cell death occurred more drastically in SGC-7901 cells than in GES-1 cells. Ca2+ rather than cathepsins from LMP contributed more to cell death. Hispidin induced microtubule depolymerization, which can cause LMP, more drastically in SGC-7901 cells than in GES-1 cells. At 4.1 μM, hispidin promoted cell-free tubulin polymerization but at concentrations higher than 41 μM, hispidin inhibited polymerization. Hispidin did not bind to tubulin. Alterations in microtubule regulatory proteins, such as stathmin phosphorylation at Ser16, contributed to hispidin-induced SGC-7901 cell death. In conclusion, hispidin at concentrations higher than 41 μM may inhibit tubulin polymerization by modulating microtubule regulatory proteins, such as stathmin, causing LMP and complex SGC-7901 cell death. This mechanism suggests a promising novel treatment for human cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Long-Xian Lv
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology and College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, 310058 Hangzhou, China.,State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, 310003 Hangzhou, China
| | - Zhen-Xing Zhou
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology and College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, 310058 Hangzhou, China
| | - Zhan Zhou
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology and College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, 310058 Hangzhou, China
| | - Li-Jiang Zhang
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology and College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, 310058 Hangzhou, China
| | - Ren Yan
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, 310003 Hangzhou, China
| | - Zhao Zhao
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology and College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, 310058 Hangzhou, China
| | - Li-Ya Yang
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, 310003 Hangzhou, China
| | - Xiao-Yuan Bian
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, 310003 Hangzhou, China
| | - Hui-Yong Jiang
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, 310003 Hangzhou, China
| | - Yu-Dong Li
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology and College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, 310058 Hangzhou, China
| | - Yi-Sheng Sun
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology and College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, 310058 Hangzhou, China
| | - Qin-Qin Xu
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology and College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, 310058 Hangzhou, China
| | - Gui-Li Hu
- Department of Basic Medicine, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, 310058 Hangzhou, China
| | - Wen-Jun Guan
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology and College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, 310058 Hangzhou, China
| | - Yong-Quan Li
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology and College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, 310058 Hangzhou, China
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Zyad A, Tilaoui M, Jaafari A, Oukerrou MA, Mouse HA. More insights into the pharmacological effects of artemisinin. Phytother Res 2017; 32:216-229. [PMID: 29193409 DOI: 10.1002/ptr.5958] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2017] [Revised: 09/26/2017] [Accepted: 09/28/2017] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Artemisinin is one of the most widely prescribed drugs against malaria and has recently received increased attention because of its other potential biological effects. The aim of this review is to summarize recent discoveries of the pharmaceutical effects of artemisinin in basic science along with its mechanistic action, as well as the intriguing results of recent clinical studies, with a focus on its antitumor activity. Scientific evidence indicates that artemisinin exerts its biological activity by generating reactive oxygen species that damage the DNA, mitochondrial depolarization, and cell death. In the present article review, scientific evidence suggests that artemisinin is a potential therapeutic agent for various diseases. Thus, this review is expected to encourage interested scientists to conduct further preclinical and clinical studies to evaluate these biological activities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdelmajid Zyad
- Laboratory of Biological Engineering, Team of Natural Substances and Cellular and Molecular Immuno-pharmacology, Immuno-biology of Cancer Cells, Sultan Moulay Slimane University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Beni-Mellal, Morocco
| | - Mounir Tilaoui
- Laboratory of Biological Engineering, Team of Natural Substances and Cellular and Molecular Immuno-pharmacology, Immuno-biology of Cancer Cells, Sultan Moulay Slimane University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Beni-Mellal, Morocco
| | - Abdeslam Jaafari
- Laboratory of Biological Engineering, Team of Natural Substances and Cellular and Molecular Immuno-pharmacology, Immuno-biology of Cancer Cells, Sultan Moulay Slimane University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Beni-Mellal, Morocco
| | - Moulay Ali Oukerrou
- Laboratory of Biological Engineering, Team of Natural Substances and Cellular and Molecular Immuno-pharmacology, Immuno-biology of Cancer Cells, Sultan Moulay Slimane University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Beni-Mellal, Morocco
| | - Hassan Ait Mouse
- Laboratory of Biological Engineering, Team of Natural Substances and Cellular and Molecular Immuno-pharmacology, Immuno-biology of Cancer Cells, Sultan Moulay Slimane University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Beni-Mellal, Morocco
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Wong YK, Xu C, Kalesh KA, He Y, Lin Q, Wong WSF, Shen HM, Wang J. Artemisinin as an anticancer drug: Recent advances in target profiling and mechanisms of action. Med Res Rev 2017. [PMID: 28643446 DOI: 10.1002/med.21446] [Citation(s) in RCA: 149] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Artemisinin and its derivatives (collectively termed as artemisinins) are among the most important and effective antimalarial drugs, with proven safety and efficacy in clinical use. Beyond their antimalarial effects, artemisinins have also been shown to possess selective anticancer properties, demonstrating cytotoxic effects against a wide range of cancer types both in vitro and in vivo. These effects appear to be mediated by artemisinin-induced changes in multiple signaling pathways, interfering simultaneously with multiple hallmarks of cancer. Great strides have been taken to characterize these pathways and to reveal their anticancer mechanisms of action of artemisinin. Moreover, encouraging data have also been obtained from a limited number of clinical trials to support their anticancer property. However, there are several key gaps in knowledge that continue to serve as significant barriers to the repurposing of artemisinins as effective anticancer agents. This review focuses on important and emerging aspects of this field, highlighting breakthroughs in unresolved questions as well as novel techniques and approaches that have been taken in recent studies. We discuss the mechanism of artemisinin activation in cancer, novel and significant findings with regards to artemisinin target proteins and pathways, new understandings in artemisinin-induced cell death mechanisms, as well as the practical issues of repurposing artemisinin. We believe these will be important topics in realizing the potential of artemisinin and its derivatives as safe and potent anticancer agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yin Kwan Wong
- Department of Physiology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Chengchao Xu
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Karunakaran A Kalesh
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Yingke He
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Qingsong Lin
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - W S Fred Wong
- Department of Pharmacology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University Health System, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Han-Ming Shen
- Department of Physiology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Jigang Wang
- Department of Physiology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
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32
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Artemisinin and its derivatives in cancer therapy: status of progress, mechanism of action, and future perspectives. Cancer Chemother Pharmacol 2017; 79:451-466. [DOI: 10.1007/s00280-017-3251-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2016] [Accepted: 02/03/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
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33
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Thornthwaite JT, Shah HR, England SR, Roland LH, Thibado SP, Ballard TK, Goodman BT. Anticancer Effects of Curcumin, Artemisinin, Genistein, and Resveratrol, and Vitamin C: Free Versus Liposomal Forms. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2017. [DOI: 10.4236/abc.2017.71002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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Fox JM, Moynihan JR, Mott BT, Mazzone JR, Anders NM, Brown PA, Rudek MA, Liu JO, Arav-Boger R, Posner GH, Civin CI, Chen X. Artemisinin-derived dimer ART-838 potently inhibited human acute leukemias, persisted in vivo, and synergized with antileukemic drugs. Oncotarget 2016; 7:7268-79. [PMID: 26771236 PMCID: PMC4872784 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.6896] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2015] [Accepted: 01/06/2016] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Artemisinins, endoperoxide-containing molecules, best known as antimalarials, have potent antineoplastic activity. The established antimalarial, artesunate (AS), and the novel artemisinin-derived trioxane diphenylphosphate dimer 838 (ART-838) inhibited growth of all 23 tested acute leukemia cell lines, reduced cell proliferation and clonogenicity, induced apoptosis, and increased intracellular levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS). ART-838 was 88-fold more potent that AS in vitro, inhibiting all leukemia cell lines at submicromolar concentrations. Both ART-838 and AS cooperated with several established antileukemic drugs and newer kinase inhibitors to inhibit leukemia cell growth. ART-838 had a longer plasma half-life than AS in immunodeficient NOD-SCID-IL2Rgnull (NSG) mice, remaining at effective antileukemic concentrations for >8h. Intermittent cycles of ART-838 inhibited growth of acute leukemia xenografts and primagrafts in NSG mice, at higher potency than AS. Based on these preclinical data, we propose that AS, with its established low toxicity and low cost, and ART-838, with its higher potency and longer persistence in vivo, should be further developed toward integration into antileukemic regimens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer M Fox
- Center for Stem Cell Biology & Regenerative Medicine, Departments of Pediatrics and Physiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - James R Moynihan
- Center for Stem Cell Biology & Regenerative Medicine, Departments of Pediatrics and Physiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - Bryan T Mott
- Department of Chemistry, School of Arts and Sciences, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
| | - Jennifer R Mazzone
- Department of Chemistry, School of Arts and Sciences, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
| | - Nicole M Anders
- Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21231, USA
| | - Patrick A Brown
- Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21231, USA
| | - Michelle A Rudek
- Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21231, USA
| | - Jun O Liu
- Department of Pharmacology and Molecular Science, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Ravit Arav-Boger
- Department of Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21231, USA
| | - Gary H Posner
- Department of Chemistry, School of Arts and Sciences, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA.,Johns Hopkins Malaria Research Institute, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Curt I Civin
- Center for Stem Cell Biology & Regenerative Medicine, Departments of Pediatrics and Physiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - Xiaochun Chen
- Center for Stem Cell Biology & Regenerative Medicine, Departments of Pediatrics and Physiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
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Eid R, Arab NTT, Greenwood MT. Iron mediated toxicity and programmed cell death: A review and a re-examination of existing paradigms. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-MOLECULAR CELL RESEARCH 2016; 1864:399-430. [PMID: 27939167 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamcr.2016.12.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 165] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2016] [Revised: 11/08/2016] [Accepted: 12/04/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Iron is an essential micronutrient that is problematic for biological systems since it is toxic as it generates free radicals by interconverting between ferrous (Fe2+) and ferric (Fe3+) forms. Additionally, even though iron is abundant, it is largely insoluble so cells must treat biologically available iron as a valuable commodity. Thus elaborate mechanisms have evolved to absorb, re-cycle and store iron while minimizing toxicity. Focusing on rarely encountered situations, most of the existing literature suggests that iron toxicity is common. A more nuanced examination clearly demonstrates that existing regulatory processes are more than adequate to limit the toxicity of iron even in response to iron overload. Only under pathological or artificially harsh situations of exposure to excess iron does it become problematic. Here we review iron metabolism and its toxicity as well as the literature demonstrating that intracellular iron is not toxic but a stress responsive programmed cell death-inducing second messenger.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rawan Eid
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Royal Military College of Canada, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
| | - Nagla T T Arab
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Royal Military College of Canada, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
| | - Michael T Greenwood
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Royal Military College of Canada, Kingston, Ontario, Canada.
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Pang Y, Qin G, Wu L, Wang X, Chen T. Artesunate induces ROS-dependent apoptosis via a Bax-mediated intrinsic pathway in Huh-7 and Hep3B cells. Exp Cell Res 2016; 347:251-60. [DOI: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2016.06.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2016] [Revised: 06/07/2016] [Accepted: 06/16/2016] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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Abstract
INTRODUCTION Despite the fact that diseases caused by protozoan parasites represent serious challenges for public health, animal production and welfare, only a limited panel of drugs has been marketed for clinical applications. AREAS COVERED Herein, the authors investigate two strategies, namely whole organism screening and target-based drug design. The present pharmacopoeia has resulted from whole organism screening, and the mode of action and targets of selected drugs are discussed. However, the more recent extensive genome sequencing efforts and the development of dry and wet lab genomics and proteomics that allow high-throughput screening of interactions between micromolecules and recombinant proteins has resulted in target-based drug design as the predominant focus in anti-parasitic drug development. Selected examples of target-based drug design studies are presented, and calcium-dependent protein kinases, important drug targets in apicomplexan parasites, are discussed in more detail. EXPERT OPINION Despite the enormous efforts in target-based drug development, this approach has not yet generated market-ready antiprotozoal drugs. However, whole-organism screening approaches, comprising of both in vitro and in vivo investigations, should not be disregarded. The repurposing of already approved and marketed drugs could be a suitable strategy to avoid fastidious approval procedures, especially in the case of neglected or veterinary parasitoses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joachim Müller
- a Institute of Parasitology, Vetsuisse Faculty , University of Bern , Bern , Switzerland
| | - Andrew Hemphill
- a Institute of Parasitology, Vetsuisse Faculty , University of Bern , Bern , Switzerland
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Fröhlich T, Çapcı Karagöz A, Reiter C, Tsogoeva SB. Artemisinin-Derived Dimers: Potent Antimalarial and Anticancer Agents. J Med Chem 2016; 59:7360-88. [PMID: 27010926 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.5b01380] [Citation(s) in RCA: 114] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
The development of new efficient therapeutics for the treatment of malaria and cancer is an important endeavor. Over the past 15 years, much attention has been paid to the synthesis of dimeric structures, which combine two units of artemisinin, as lead compounds of interest. A wide variety of atemisinin-derived dimers containing different linkers demonstrate improved properties compared to their parent compounds (e.g., circumventing multidrug resistance), making the dimerization concept highly compelling for development of efficient antimalarial and anticancer drugs. The present Perspective highlights recent developments on different types of artemisinin-derived dimers and their structural and functional features. Particular emphasis is put on the respective in vitro and in vivo studies, exploring the role of the length and nature of linkers on the activities of the dimers, and considering the future prospects of the dimerization concept for drug discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tony Fröhlich
- Department of Chemistry and Pharmacy, Organic Chemistry Chair I and Interdisciplinary Center for Molecular Materials (ICMM), University of Erlangen-Nürnberg , Henkestrasse 42, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Aysun Çapcı Karagöz
- Department of Chemistry and Pharmacy, Organic Chemistry Chair I and Interdisciplinary Center for Molecular Materials (ICMM), University of Erlangen-Nürnberg , Henkestrasse 42, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Christoph Reiter
- Department of Chemistry and Pharmacy, Organic Chemistry Chair I and Interdisciplinary Center for Molecular Materials (ICMM), University of Erlangen-Nürnberg , Henkestrasse 42, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Svetlana B Tsogoeva
- Department of Chemistry and Pharmacy, Organic Chemistry Chair I and Interdisciplinary Center for Molecular Materials (ICMM), University of Erlangen-Nürnberg , Henkestrasse 42, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
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Liu G, Song S, Liu X, Zhang A, Miao Z, Ding C. Novel dihydroisoxazoline-alkyl carbon chain hybrid artemisinin analogues (artemalogs): synthesis and antitumor activities. RSC Adv 2016. [DOI: 10.1039/c6ra17323c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Two new series of dihydroisoxazoline-alkyl carbon chain hybrid artemisinin analogues (artemalogs) were designed and synthesized though a 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition, leading to novel analogues with dramatically improved antiproliferative effects against tumor cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gang Liu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Receptor Research
- Synthetic Organic & Medicinal Chemistry Laboratory
- Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica (SIMM)
- Chinese Academy of Sciences
- Shanghai
| | - Shanshan Song
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research
- Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica (SIMM)
- Chinese Academy of Sciences
- Shanghai
- China
| | - Xiaohua Liu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Receptor Research
- Synthetic Organic & Medicinal Chemistry Laboratory
- Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica (SIMM)
- Chinese Academy of Sciences
- Shanghai
| | - Ao Zhang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Receptor Research
- Synthetic Organic & Medicinal Chemistry Laboratory
- Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica (SIMM)
- Chinese Academy of Sciences
- Shanghai
| | - Zehong Miao
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research
- Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica (SIMM)
- Chinese Academy of Sciences
- Shanghai
- China
| | - Chunyong Ding
- CAS Key Laboratory of Receptor Research
- Synthetic Organic & Medicinal Chemistry Laboratory
- Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica (SIMM)
- Chinese Academy of Sciences
- Shanghai
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Liu G, Song S, Shu S, Miao Z, Zhang A, Ding C. Novel spirobicyclic artemisinin analogues (artemalogues): Synthesis and antitumor activities. Eur J Med Chem 2015; 103:17-28. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2015.08.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2015] [Revised: 08/14/2015] [Accepted: 08/15/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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Srivastava V, Lee H. Chloroquine-based hybrid molecules as promising novel chemotherapeutic agents. Eur J Pharmacol 2015; 762:472-86. [PMID: 25959387 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2015.04.048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2015] [Revised: 04/15/2015] [Accepted: 04/20/2015] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Chloroquine (CQ) has a broad spectrum of pharmacological activities including anticancer and anti-inflammatory, in addition to its well-known antimalarial activity. This very useful property of CQ may be rendered through a variety of different molecular and cellular mechanisms, including the induction of apoptosis, necrosis and lysosomal dysfunction. CQ alone may not be as effective as many well-known anticancer drugs; however, it often shows synergisticts when combined with other anticancer agents, without causing substantial ill-effects. To increase its pharmacological activity, scientists synthesized many different chloroquine derivatives by a repositioning approach, some of which show higher activities than the parental CQ. To further improve anticancer activity, medicinal chemists have recently been focusing on generating CQ hybrid molecules by joining, directly or through a linker, 4-aminoquinoline and other pharmacologically active phamarcophore(s). Indeed, some CQ hybrid molecules substantially improved anticancer activity while maintaining desirable CQ property, providing an excellent opportunity of developing effective and safe novel anticancer agents. Since the approach of developing CQ hybrid molecules has advanced much more in the antimalarial drug research, it can provide an excellent template for anticancer drug development. This review provides an overview of CQ-based hybrid molecules by focusing on: (1) the potential advantage of the hybrid approach in developing effective and safe anticancer agents; (2) what we can learn from the CQ hybrid approach used in the development of effective antimalarial agents; and (3) CQ hybrid molecules as potential anticancer agents in different categories classified based on their chemical compositions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vandana Srivastava
- Advanced Medical Research Institute of Canada, Health Sciences North, 41 Ramsey Lake Road, Sudbury, Ontario, Canada P3E 5J1; Division of Medical Sciences, Northern Ontario School of Medicine, 935 Ramsey Lake Road, Sudbury, Ontario, Canada P3E 2C6
| | - Hoyun Lee
- Advanced Medical Research Institute of Canada, Health Sciences North, 41 Ramsey Lake Road, Sudbury, Ontario, Canada P3E 5J1; Division of Medical Sciences, Northern Ontario School of Medicine, 935 Ramsey Lake Road, Sudbury, Ontario, Canada P3E 2C6.
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Zhang ZS, Wang J, Shen YB, Guo CC, Sai KE, Chen FR, Mei X, Han FU, Chen ZP. Dihydroartemisinin increases temozolomide efficacy in glioma cells by inducing autophagy. Oncol Lett 2015; 10:379-383. [PMID: 26171034 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2015.3183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2014] [Accepted: 04/08/2015] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Artemisinin, a powerful antimalarial medicine, is extracted from the Chinese herb, Artemisia annua L., and has the ability to inhibit the proliferation of cancer cells. Dihydroartemisinin (DHA), the major active metabolite of artemisinin, is able to inhibit the growth of a variety of types of human cancer. However, the effect of DHA on human glioma cells remains unclear. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of DHA on the proliferation of glioma cells, and whether DHA was able to enhance temozolomide (TMZ) sensitivity in vitro and in vivo. In total, 10 human glioma cell lines were used to analyze the growth inhibition ability of DHA by MTT assay. The typical autophagic vacuoles were monitored by the application of the autofluorescent agent, monodansylcadaverine. Western blotting was used to detect markers of apoptosis and autophagy, namely Caspase-3, Beclin-1 and LC3-B. The combination efficiency of DHA and TMZ was assessed in vitro and in vivo. The half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) of DHA differed among the ten human glioma cell lines. The number of autophagic vacuoles was higher in DHA-treated SKMG-4 cells; this was highest of all cell lines analyzed. The expression of autophagy molecular markers, Beclin-1 and LC3-B, was increased following DHA treatment, while no significant alteration was detected in the expression of apoptotic marker Caspase-3. When combined with DHA, the IC50 of TMZ decreased significantly in the four glioma cell lines analyzed. Furthermore, DHA enhanced the tumor inhibition ability of TMZ in tumor-burdened mice. The results of the present study demonstrated that DHA inhibited the proliferation of glioma cells and enhanced the tumor inhibition efficacy of TMZ in vitro and in vivo through the induction of autophagy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ze-Shun Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510120, P.R. China
| | - Jing Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery/Neuro-Oncology, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center; State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China; Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510060, P.R. China
| | - You-Bi Shen
- Department of Neurosurgery, Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510120, P.R. China
| | - Cheng-Cheng Guo
- Department of Neurosurgery/Neuro-Oncology, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center; State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China; Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510060, P.R. China
| | - K E Sai
- Department of Neurosurgery/Neuro-Oncology, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center; State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China; Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510060, P.R. China
| | - Fu-Rong Chen
- Department of Neurosurgery/Neuro-Oncology, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center; State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China; Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510060, P.R. China
| | - Xin Mei
- Department of Neurosurgery/Neuro-Oncology, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center; State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China; Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510060, P.R. China
| | - F U Han
- Department of Neurosurgery, Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510120, P.R. China
| | - Zhong-Ping Chen
- Department of Neurosurgery/Neuro-Oncology, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center; State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China; Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510060, P.R. China
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Abstract
The anti-malarial drug artemisinin has shown anticancer activity in vitro and animal experiments, but experience in human cancer is scarce. However, the ability of artemisinins to kill cancer cells through a variety of molecular mechanisms has been explored. A PubMed search of about 127 papers on anti-cancer effects of antimalarials has revealed that this class of drug, including other antimalarials, have several biological characteristics that include anticancer properties. Experimental evidences suggest that artemisinin compounds may be a therapeutic alternative in highly aggressive cancers with rapid dissemination, without developing drug resistance. They also exhibit synergism with other anticancer drugs with no increased toxicity toward normal cells. It has been found that semisynthetic artemisinin derivatives have much higher antitumor activity than their monomeric counterparts via mechanisms like apoptosis, arrest of cell cycle at G0/G1, and oxidative stress. The exact mechanism of activation and molecular basis of these anticancer effects are not fully elucidated. Artemisinins seem to regulate key factors such as nuclear factor-kappa B, survivin, NOXA, hypoxia-inducible factor-1α, and BMI-1, involving multiple pathways that may affect drug response, drug interactions, drug resistance, and associated parameters upon normal cells. Newer synthetic artemisinins have been developed showing substantial antineoplastic activity, but there is still limited information regarding the mode of action of these synthetic compounds. In view of the emerging data, specific interactions with established chemotherapy need to be further investigated in different cancer cells and their phenotypes and validated further using different semisynthetic and synthetic artemisinin derivatives.
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Affiliation(s)
- A K Das
- Department of Medicine, Assam Medical College, Dibrugarh, Assam, India
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Zhu H, Liao SD, Shi JJ, Chang LL, Tong YG, Cao J, Fu YY, Chen XP, Ying MD, Yang B, He QJ, Lu JJ. DJ-1 mediates the resistance of cancer cells to dihydroartemisinin through reactive oxygen species removal. Free Radic Biol Med 2014; 71:121-132. [PMID: 24681255 DOI: 10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2014.03.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2013] [Revised: 03/17/2014] [Accepted: 03/18/2014] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Dihydroartemisinin (DHA), one of the main metabolites of artemisinin and its derivatives, presents anti-cancer potential in vitro and in vivo. To explore the mechanisms of resistance toward DHA, a DHA-resistant cell line, HeLa/DHA, was established with a resistance factor of 7.26 in vitro. Upon DHA treatment, apoptotic cells were significantly elicited in parental HeLa cells but minimally induced in HeLa/DHA cells. HeLa/DHA cells also displayed much less sensitivity to DHA-induced tumor suppression in cancer xenograft models than HeLa cells. Intriguingly, DHA-resistant cells did not display a multidrug-resistant phenotype. Based on a proteomic study employing LC-ESI-MS/MS together with pathway analysis, DJ-1 (PARK7) was found to be highly expressed in HeLa/DHA cells. Western blot and immunofluorescence assays confirmed the higher expression of DJ-1 in HeLa/DHA cells than in parental cells in both cell line and xenograft models. DJ-1 is translocated to the mitochondria of HeLa/DHA cells and oxidized, providing DJ-1 with stronger cytoprotection activity. Further study revealed that DJ-1 knockdown in HeLa/DHA cells abolished the observed resistance, whereas overexpression of DJ-1 endowed the parental HeLa cells with resistance toward DHA. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) were also significantly induced by either DHA or hydrogen peroxide in HeLa cells but not in resistant HeLa/DHA cells. When the cells were pretreated with N-acetyl-l-cysteine, the effect of DJ-1 knockdown on sensitizing HeLa/DHA cells to DHA was significantly attenuated. In summary, our study suggests that overexpression and mitochondrial translocation of DJ-1 provides HeLa/DHA cells with resistance to DHA-induced ROS and apoptosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong Zhu
- Zhejiang Province Key Laboratory of Anti-cancer Drug Research, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, China.
| | - Si-Da Liao
- Zhejiang Province Key Laboratory of Anti-cancer Drug Research, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, China
| | - Jia-Jie Shi
- College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310053, China
| | - Lin-Lin Chang
- Zhejiang Province Key Laboratory of Anti-cancer Drug Research, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, China
| | - Yun-Guang Tong
- Department of Medicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, University of California at Los Angeles School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Ji Cao
- Zhejiang Province Key Laboratory of Anti-cancer Drug Research, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, China
| | - Ying-Ying Fu
- Zhejiang Province Key Laboratory of Anti-cancer Drug Research, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, China
| | - Xiu-Ping Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macao, China
| | - Mei-Dan Ying
- Zhejiang Province Key Laboratory of Anti-cancer Drug Research, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, China
| | - Bo Yang
- Zhejiang Province Key Laboratory of Anti-cancer Drug Research, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, China
| | - Qiao-Jun He
- Zhejiang Province Key Laboratory of Anti-cancer Drug Research, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, China
| | - Jin-Jian Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macao, China.
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Graves RA, Ledet G, Nation CA, Showers PR, Pramar Y, Mandal T, Bostanian LA. An ultra-high performance chromatographic method for the determination of artemisinin. Drug Dev Ind Pharm 2014; 41:819-24. [PMID: 24738789 DOI: 10.3109/03639045.2014.908900] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The goal of this study is to develop an ultra-high performance liquid chromatographic method for the quantitative determination of artemisinin at very low concentrations using selective ion mass spectroscopic detection. MATERIALS AND METHODS Separation was conducted using a C4 100 mm× 2.1 mm column, and the mobile phase consisted of an isocratic two-component system consisting of 60% of a 0.1% aqueous solution of formic acid and 40% acetonitrile at a flow rate of 0.4 ml/min. The drug was detected by means of an electrospray mass spectrometer with selective ion monitoring of the [M-H2O+H](+) with m/z of 265.3 in positive ion mode. RESULTS The calibration curves of artemisinin obtained from the UPLC/MS system were linear in the three ranges analyzed, with a correlation coefficient of no less than 0.9996 for all sets of standards. The peak tailing factor for all measurements were ≤1.7. The method proved to have good repeatability and linearity. DISCUSSION The described analytical method reached a LOQ of 0.010 µg/ml with an isocratic system and enables an analysis rate of 20 samples per hour. The linearity of the standards was excellent for all sets of standards analyzed. CONCLUSION The method presented in this study provides a rapid and suitable means for the determination of artemisinin at very low concentrations. This is especially significant when performing dissolution studies where, due to the low solubility of artemisinin, a method that can measure the drug at nanogram levels is necessary.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard A Graves
- College of Pharmacy, Xavier University of Louisiana , New Orleans, LA , USA
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Artemisinins: Pharmacological actions beyond anti-malarial. Pharmacol Ther 2014; 142:126-39. [DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2013.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 309] [Impact Index Per Article: 30.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2013] [Accepted: 11/26/2013] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
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Obeid S, Alen J, Nguyen VH, Pham VC, Meuleman P, Pannecouque C, Le TN, Neyts J, Dehaen W, Paeshuyse J. Artemisinin analogues as potent inhibitors of in vitro hepatitis C virus replication. PLoS One 2013; 8:e81783. [PMID: 24349127 PMCID: PMC3859510 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0081783] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2013] [Accepted: 10/16/2013] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
We reported previously that Artemisinin (ART), a widely used anti-malarial drug, is an inhibitor of in vitro HCV subgenomic replicon replication. We here demonstrate that ART exerts its antiviral activity also in hepatoma cells infected with full length infectious HCV JFH-1. We identified a number of ART analogues that are up to 10-fold more potent and selective as in vitro inhibitors of HCV replication than ART. The iron donor Hemin only marginally potentiates the anti-HCV activity of ART in HCV-infected cultures. Carbon-centered radicals have been shown to be critical for the anti-malarial activity of ART. We demonstrate that carbon-centered radicals-trapping (the so-called TEMPO) compounds only marginally affect the anti-HCV activity of ART. This provides evidence that carbon-centered radicals are not the main effectors of the anti-HCV activity of the Artemisinin. ART and analogues may possibly exert their anti-HCV activity by the induction of reactive oxygen species (ROS). The combined anti-HCV activity of ART or its analogues with L-N-Acetylcysteine (L-NAC) [a molecule that inhibits ROS generation] was studied. L-NAC significantly reduced the in vitro anti-HCV activity of ART and derivatives. Taken together, the in vitro anti-HCV activity of ART and analogues can, at least in part, be explained by the induction of ROS; carbon-centered radicals may not be important in the anti-HCV effect of these molecules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susan Obeid
- Rega Institute for Medical Research, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Jo Alen
- Molecular Design and Synthesis, Department of Chemistry, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Van Hung Nguyen
- Institute of Marine Biochemistry, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Van Cuong Pham
- Institute of Marine Biochemistry, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Philip Meuleman
- Department of Clinical Chemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, University Ghent, Ghent, Belgium
| | | | - Thanh Nguyen Le
- Institute of Marine Biochemistry, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Johan Neyts
- Rega Institute for Medical Research, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- * E-mail:
| | - Wim Dehaen
- Molecular Design and Synthesis, Department of Chemistry, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Jan Paeshuyse
- Rega Institute for Medical Research, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
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Teicher BA. Perspective: Opportunities in recalcitrant, rare and neglected tumors. Oncol Rep 2013; 30:1030-4. [PMID: 23820887 PMCID: PMC3783063 DOI: 10.3892/or.2013.2581] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2013] [Accepted: 05/27/2013] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The ‘Recalcitrant Cancer Research Act of 2012’ defines recalcitrant cancers as having a 5-year survival rate of <20% and estimated to cause the death of at least 30,000 individuals in the US each year. Cancers specifically mentioned in the act are lung and pancreatic cancers. In addition to recalcitrant tumors, rare tumors are often neglected in the drug discovery arena. Sarcomas are ~1% of cancers. The NCI Specialized Programs of Research Excellence (SPOREs) provide disease-focused cancer center grants specifically to accelerate the impact of laboratory research on the treatment of patients. There are 3 SPOREs focused on pancreatic cancer, 7 SPOREs focused on lung cancer and 1 SPORE focused on sarcoma. Through the Developmental Therapeutics Program (DTP), NCI maintains the infrastructure and expertise for the operation of cell-free and cell-based high-, medium- and low-throughput assays. The current effort is on sarcoma, SCLC and pancreatic lines. The DTP functional genomics laboratory provides molecular analyses including gene expression microarrays, exon arrays, microRNA arrays, multiplexing gene assays, plus others as tools to identify potential drug targets and to determine the role of selected genes in the mechanism(s) of drug action and cellular responses to stressors. The DTP tumor microenvironment laboratory focuses on the discovery of targets and the development of therapeutic strategies targeting the tumor microenvironment and physiological abnormalities of tumors resulting from environmental factors or alterations in metabolic enzymes. The DTP maintains a group focused on determining the mechanism(s) of action and identifying potential surrogate markers of activity for select compounds integrating proteomics, transcriptomics and molecular biology platforms. In conclusion, the NCI has active SPORE programs and an internal effort focused on recalcitrant, rare and neglected cancers which are generating data toward improving treatment of these difficult diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beverly A Teicher
- Molecular Pharmacology Branch, Developmental Therapeutics Program, National Cancer Institute, Rockville, MD 20852, USA
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49
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Novel artemisinin derivatives with potential usefulness against liver/colon cancer and viral hepatitis. Bioorg Med Chem 2013; 21:4432-41. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2013.04.059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2013] [Revised: 04/12/2013] [Accepted: 04/18/2013] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
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Wang S, Sasaki T. Synthesis of artemisinin dimers using the Ugi reaction and their in vitro efficacy on breast cancer cells. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2013; 23:4424-7. [PMID: 23790541 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2013.05.057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2013] [Revised: 05/14/2013] [Accepted: 05/17/2013] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The Ugi four-component reaction was used to prepare a series of artemisinin monomers and dimers. We found that the endoperoxide group in artemisinin remains intact during the reaction. The new artemisinin dimers showed potent anti-cancer activity against two human breast cancer cell lines, MDA-MB-231 and BT-474. One of the Ugi artemisinin dimers showed an IC₅₀ value of 12 nM when tested on BT474 cells, more than 600 times more potent than artesunate. Furthermore, the same Ugi artemisinin dimer showed a low toxicity when tested on MCF10A, a nontumorigenic cell line, resulting in a selectivity index of more than 8000.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shusheng Wang
- Department of Chemistry, University of Washington, Box 351700, Seattle, WA 98195-1700, USA
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