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Teixeira A, DaCunha DC, Barros L, Caires HR, Xavier CPR, Ferreira ICFR, Vasconcelos MH. Eucalyptus globulus Labill. decoction extract inhibits the growth of NCI-H460 cells by increasing the p53 levels and altering the cell cycle profile. Food Funct 2019; 10:3188-3197. [PMID: 31165800 DOI: 10.1039/c8fo02466a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Eucalyptus globulus Labill. is a widespread evergreen plant belonging to the Myrtaceae family. Several species of Eucalyptus are known to have a plethora of medicinal properties, particularly anti-tumor activity, which prompts the study of the chemical composition and bioactivity of extracts from this plant. Hereby, the main aims of this work were to (i) profile the phenolic compounds in E. globulus extracts prepared by decoction and infusion; (ii) test the cell growth inhibitory activity of E. globulus decoction and infusion, in three human tumor cell line models: colorectal, pancreatic and non-small cell lung cancer (HCT-15, PANC-1 and NCI-H460, respectively); and (iii) study the mechanism of action of the most potent extract in the most sensitive cell line. Our work demonstrated that both the decoction and infusion preparations revealed the presence of phenolic acids, flavonoids and gallotannins, the last group being the most abundant polyphenols found, especially two digalloyl-glucosides. Both extracts inhibited the growth of all the tumor cell lines tested. The decoction extract was the most potent in inhibiting the NCI-H460 cell growth (lower GI50 determined by sulforhodamine B assay), which could be due to its higher content of phenolic compounds. Hence, the effect of the decoction extract on the NCI-H460 cells was further investigated. For this, cell viability (by Trypan blue exclusion assay), the cell cycle profile and apoptosis (by flow cytometry), cell proliferation (by bromodeoxyuridine assay) and protein expression (by western blot) were analyzed. Two different concentrations of the extract (52 μg mL-1 and 104 μg mL-1, corresponding to GI50 and 2 × GI50 concentration) were tested in these studies. Remarkably, the E. globulus decoction extract caused a dose-dependent decrease in the NCI-H460 cell number, which was correlated with a cell cycle arrest in the G0/G1 phase, a decrease in cell proliferation and an increase in the expression of p53, p21 and cyclin D1 proteins. Interestingly, no differences were found in the levels of ds-DNA damage and in the levels of apoptosis. This work highlights the relevance of the Eucalyptus globulus Labill. extract as a source of bioactive compounds with potential anti-tumor activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Teixeira
- i3S - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde da Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen 208, Porto 4200-135, Portugal.
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Lima RT, Sousa D, Gomes AS, Mendes N, Matthiesen R, Pedro M, Marques F, Pinto MM, Sousa E, Vasconcelos MH. The Antitumor Activity of a Lead Thioxanthone is Associated with Alterations in Cholesterol Localization. Molecules 2018; 23:molecules23123301. [PMID: 30545153 PMCID: PMC6321308 DOI: 10.3390/molecules23123301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2018] [Revised: 12/04/2018] [Accepted: 12/06/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The search for novel anticancer small molecules and strategies remains a challenge. Our previous studies have identified TXA1 (1-{[2-(diethylamino)ethyl]amino}-4-propoxy-9H- thioxanthen-9-one) as a hit compound, with in vitro antitumor potential by modulating autophagy and apoptosis in human tumor cell lines. In the present study, the mechanism of action and antitumor potential of the soluble salt of this molecule (TXA1.HCl) was further investigated using in vitro and mouse xenograft tumor models of NSCLC. Our results showed that TXA1.HCl affected steroid biosynthesis, increased RagD expression, and caused abnormal cellular cholesterol localization. In addition, TXA1.HCl treatment presented no toxicity to nude mice and significantly reduced the growth of human NSCLC cells xenografts in mice. Overall, this work provides new insights into the mechanism of action of TXA1, which may be relevant for the development of anticancer therapeutic strategies, which target cholesterol transport.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raquel T Lima
- i3S-Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen 208, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal.
- Cancer Drug Resistance Group-IPATIMUP-Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology of the University of Porto; Rua Júlio Amaral de Carvalho, 45, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal.
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine of the University of Porto, Alameda Prof. Hernâni Monteiro, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal.
| | - Diana Sousa
- i3S-Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen 208, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal.
- Cancer Drug Resistance Group-IPATIMUP-Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology of the University of Porto; Rua Júlio Amaral de Carvalho, 45, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal.
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Department of Biological Sciences, FFUP-Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Rua de Jorge Viterbo Ferreira 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal.
| | - Ana Sara Gomes
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Department of Biological Sciences, FFUP-Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Rua de Jorge Viterbo Ferreira 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal.
- UCIBIO, REQUIMTE, Laboratory of Biochemistry, Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Rua de Jorge Viterbo Ferreira, 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal.
| | - Nuno Mendes
- i3S-Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen 208, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal.
- HEMS-Histology and Electron Microscopy-i3S, Rua Júlio Amaral de Carvalho, 45, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal.
| | - Rune Matthiesen
- Computational and Experimental Biology Group, The Chronic Diseases Research Center (CEDOC), Nova Medical School, Faculdade de Ciencias Medicas Universidade Nova De Lisboa, Rua Câmara Pestana 61150-082 Lisboa, Portugal.
| | - Madalena Pedro
- CESPU, Instituto de Investigação e Formação Avançada em Ciências e Tecnologias da Saúde, IUCS-Instituto Universitário de Ciências da Saúde, Rua Central de Gandra 1317, 4585-116 Gandra, Portugal.
| | - Franklim Marques
- UCIBIO, REQUIMTE, Laboratory of Biochemistry, Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Rua de Jorge Viterbo Ferreira, 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal.
| | - Madalena M Pinto
- Laboratory of Organic and Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Department of Chemical Sciences, FFUP-Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Rua de Jorge Viterbo Ferreira 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal.
- CIIMAR/CIMAR-Centro Interdisciplinar de Investigação Marinha e Ambiental, Universidade do Porto, Terminal de Cruzeiros do Porto de Leixões, Avenida General Norton de Matos, S/N, 4450-208 Matosinhos, Portugal.
| | - Emília Sousa
- Laboratory of Organic and Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Department of Chemical Sciences, FFUP-Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Rua de Jorge Viterbo Ferreira 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal.
- CIIMAR/CIMAR-Centro Interdisciplinar de Investigação Marinha e Ambiental, Universidade do Porto, Terminal de Cruzeiros do Porto de Leixões, Avenida General Norton de Matos, S/N, 4450-208 Matosinhos, Portugal.
| | - M Helena Vasconcelos
- i3S-Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen 208, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal.
- Cancer Drug Resistance Group-IPATIMUP-Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology of the University of Porto; Rua Júlio Amaral de Carvalho, 45, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal.
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Department of Biological Sciences, FFUP-Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Rua de Jorge Viterbo Ferreira 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal.
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Lima RT, Seca H, Palmeira A, Fernandes MX, Castro F, Correia-da-Silva M, Nascimento MSJ, Sousa E, Pinto M, Vasconcelos MH. Sulfated small molecules targeting eBV in Burkitt lymphoma: from in silico screening to the evidence of in vitro effect on viral episomal DNA. Chem Biol Drug Des 2013; 81:631-44. [PMID: 23350710 DOI: 10.1111/cbdd.12109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2012] [Revised: 11/13/2012] [Accepted: 01/08/2013] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infects more than 90% of the world population. Following primary infection, Epstein-Barr virus persists in an asymptomatic latent state. Occasionally, it may switch to lytic infection. Latent EBV infection has been associated with several diseases, such as Burkitt lymphoma (BL). To date, there are no available drugs to target latent EBV, and the existing broad-spectrum antiviral drugs are mainly active against lytic viral infection. Thus, using computational molecular docking, a virtual screen of a library of small molecules, including xanthones and flavonoids (described with potential for antiviral activity against EBV), was carried out targeting EBV proteins. The more interesting molecules were selected for further computational analysis, and subsequently, the compounds were tested in the Raji (BL) cell line, to evaluate their activity against latent EBV. This work identified three novel sulfated small molecules capable of decreasing EBV levels in a BL. Therefore, the in silico screening presents a good approach for the development of new anti-EBV agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raquel T Lima
- Cancer Drug Resistance Group, Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology of the University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
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Lima RT, Seca H, Brás S, Nascimento MSJ, Vasconcelos MH. Treatment of Akata EBV-positive cells with doxorubicin causes more EBV reactivation than treatment with etoposide. Chemotherapy 2011; 57:195-203. [PMID: 21540588 DOI: 10.1159/000323627] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2010] [Accepted: 11/09/2010] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIMS EBV has been associated with Burkitt lymphoma (BL). It establishes a latent infection but its reactivation has been observed in patients receiving long-term chemotherapy. The effect of doxorubicin on virus reactivation has been described previously, but the effect of etoposide or cytarabine on EBV reactivation has not been reported in the literature. The aim of this work was to carry out such a study. METHODS Akata EBV-positive cell lines were treated with etoposide, doxorubicin or cytarabine. Viable cells were analyzed by trypan blue, programmed cell death by TUNEL assay, mRNA levels by RT-PCR and cellular or viral proteins by Western blot. Viruses were visualized by electron microscopy. RESULTS All of the studied drugs caused cell death by apoptosis. Comparing the effect of etoposide and doxorubicin (at their IC(50)) in the EBV-positive cells, etoposide caused less EBV reactivation than doxorubicin. Cytarabine apparently did not reactivate EBV. CONCLUSION When treating Akata EBV-positive cells with the respective IC(50) of the following drugs, etoposide induced less EBV reactivation than doxorubicin, and cytarabine apparently did not induce EBV reactivation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raquel T Lima
- Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology, University of Porto, Portugal
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