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Petrová K, Bačkorová M, Demčišáková Z, Petrovová E, Goga M, Vilková M, Frenák R, Bačkor M, Mojžiš J, Kello M. Usnic Acid Isolated from Usnea antarctica (Du Rietz) Reduced In Vitro Angiogenesis in VEGF- and bFGF-Stimulated HUVECs and Ex Ovo in Quail Chorioallantoic Membrane (CAM) Assay. Life (Basel) 2022; 12:life12091444. [PMID: 36143480 PMCID: PMC9503005 DOI: 10.3390/life12091444] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2022] [Revised: 09/08/2022] [Accepted: 09/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Anti-angiogenic therapy, a promising strategy against cancer progression, is limited by drug resistance. Natural plants, such as secondary metabolites of lichens, may represent an appropriate strategy to increase the effectiveness of conventional therapies and overcome resistance to anti-angiogenic therapy if combined with existing chemotherapy. Accordingly, our study was designed to determine the potential anti-angiogenic effect of usnic acid, a secondary metabolite of lichens, on VEGF- and bFGF-stimulated HUVECs as well as in quail chorioallantoic membrane assays, which were supplemented by histological sections of CAM-affected layers. Abstract Natural products include a diverse set of compounds of drug discovery that are currently being actively used to target tumor angiogenesis. In the present study, we evaluated the anti-angiogenic activities of secondary metabolite usnic acid isolated from Usena antarctica. We investigated the in vitro effects on proliferation, migration, and tube formation of VEGF- and bFGF-stimulated HUVECs. Ex ovo anti-angiogenic activity was evaluated using the CAM assay. Our findings demonstrated that usnic acid in the concentration of 33.57 µM inhibited VEGF (25 ng/mL) and bFGF (30 ng/mL)-induced HUVECs proliferation, migration, and tube formation. The ex ovo CAM model was used to confirm the results obtained from in vitro studies. VEGF- and bFGF-induced vessel formation was inhibited by usnic acid after 72 h in over 2-fold higher concentrations compared to in vitro. Subsequently, histological sections of affected chorioallantoic membranes were stained with hematoxylin–eosin and alcian blue to determine the number and diameter of vessels as well as the thickness of the individual CAM layers (ectoderm, mesoderm, endoderm). Usnic acid was able to suppress the formation of VEGF- and bFGF-induced vessels with a diameter of less than 100 μm, which was demonstrated by the reduction of mesoderm thickness as well.
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Affiliation(s)
- Klaudia Petrová
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Pavol Jozef Šafárik University, 040 01 Košice, Slovakia
- Correspondence: (K.P.); (M.K.)
| | - Miriam Bačkorová
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Pharmacognosy and Botany, University of Veterinary Medicine and Pharmacy, 041 81 Košice, Slovakia
| | - Zuzana Demčišáková
- Department of Morphological Disciplines, University of Veterinary Medicine and Pharmacy, 041 81 Košice, Slovakia
| | - Eva Petrovová
- Department of Morphological Disciplines, University of Veterinary Medicine and Pharmacy, 041 81 Košice, Slovakia
| | - Michal Goga
- Department of Botany, Institute of Biology and Ecology, Faculty of Science, Pavol Jozef Šafárik University, Mánesova 23, 041 67 Košice, Slovakia
| | - Mária Vilková
- NMR Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Pavol Jozef Šafárik University, Moyzesova 11, 040 01 Košice, Slovakia
| | - Richard Frenák
- Department of Botany, Institute of Biology and Ecology, Faculty of Science, Pavol Jozef Šafárik University, Mánesova 23, 041 67 Košice, Slovakia
| | - Martin Bačkor
- Department of Botany, Institute of Biology and Ecology, Faculty of Science, Pavol Jozef Šafárik University, Mánesova 23, 041 67 Košice, Slovakia
- Institute of Biotechnology, Faculty of Biotechnology and Food Sciences, Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra, Trieda Andreja Hlinku 2, 949 76 Nitra, Slovakia
| | - Ján Mojžiš
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Pavol Jozef Šafárik University, 040 01 Košice, Slovakia
| | - Martin Kello
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Pavol Jozef Šafárik University, 040 01 Košice, Slovakia
- Correspondence: (K.P.); (M.K.)
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Petrova K, Kello M, Kuruc T, Backorova M, Petrovova E, Vilkova M, Goga M, Rucova D, Backor M, Mojzis J. Potential Effect of Pseudevernia furfuracea (L.) Zopf Extract and Metabolite Physodic Acid on Tumour Microenvironment Modulation in MCF-10A Cells. Biomolecules 2021; 11:biom11030420. [PMID: 33809098 PMCID: PMC8000760 DOI: 10.3390/biom11030420] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2021] [Revised: 03/01/2021] [Accepted: 03/09/2021] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Lichens comprise a number of unique secondary metabolites with remarkable biological activities and have become an interesting research topic for cancer therapy. However, only a few of these metabolites have been assessed for their effectiveness against various in vitro models. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to assess the effect of extract Pseudevernia furfuracea (L.) Zopf (PSE) and its metabolite physodic acid (Phy) on tumour microenvironment (TME) modulation, focusing on epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT), cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) transformation and angiogenesis. Here, we demonstrate, by using flow cytometry, Western blot and immunofluorescence microscopy, that tested compounds inhibited the EMT process in MCF-10A breast cells through decreasing the level of different mesenchymal markers in a time- and dose-dependent manner. By the same mechanisms, PSE and Phy suppressed the function of Transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β)-stimulated fibroblasts. Moreover, PSE and Phy resulted in a decreasing level of the TGF-β canonical pathway Smad2/3, which is essential for tumour growth. Furthermore, PSE and Phy inhibited angiogenesis ex ovo in a quail embryo chorioallantoic model, which indicates their potential anti-angiogenic activity. These results also provided the first evidence of the modulation of TME by these substances.
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Affiliation(s)
- Klaudia Petrova
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Pavol Jozef Šafárik University, 040 01 Košice, Slovakia; (K.P); (T.K.)
| | - Martin Kello
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Pavol Jozef Šafárik University, 040 01 Košice, Slovakia; (K.P); (T.K.)
- Correspondence: (M.K.); (J.M.)
| | - Tomas Kuruc
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Pavol Jozef Šafárik University, 040 01 Košice, Slovakia; (K.P); (T.K.)
| | - Miriam Backorova
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Pharmacognosy and Botany, University of Veterinary Medicine and Pharmacy, 041 81 Košice, Slovakia;
| | - Eva Petrovova
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and Physiology, University of Veterinary Medicine and Pharmacy, 041 81 Košice, Slovakia;
| | - Maria Vilkova
- Department of NMR Spectroscopy, Institute of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Pavol Jozef Šafárik University, Moyzesova 11, 040 11 Košice, Slovakia;
| | - Michal Goga
- Core Facility Cell Imaging and Ultrastructure Research, University of Vienna, Althanstrasse 14, 1090 Vienna, Austria;
- Department of Botany, Institute of Biology and Ecology, Faculty of Science, Pavol Jozef Šafárik University, Mánesova 23, 041 67 Košice, Slovakia; (D.R.); (M.B.)
| | - Dajana Rucova
- Department of Botany, Institute of Biology and Ecology, Faculty of Science, Pavol Jozef Šafárik University, Mánesova 23, 041 67 Košice, Slovakia; (D.R.); (M.B.)
| | - Martin Backor
- Department of Botany, Institute of Biology and Ecology, Faculty of Science, Pavol Jozef Šafárik University, Mánesova 23, 041 67 Košice, Slovakia; (D.R.); (M.B.)
| | - Jan Mojzis
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Pavol Jozef Šafárik University, 040 01 Košice, Slovakia; (K.P); (T.K.)
- Correspondence: (M.K.); (J.M.)
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Ulus G. Antiangiogenic properties of lichen secondary metabolites. Phytother Res 2021; 35:3046-3058. [PMID: 33587324 DOI: 10.1002/ptr.7023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2020] [Revised: 12/29/2020] [Accepted: 01/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Lichens are symbiotic organisms which are composed fungi and algae and/or cyanobacteria. They produce a variety of characteristic secondary metabolites. Such substances have various biological properties including antimicrobial, antiviral, and antitumor activities. Angiogenesis, the growth of new vessels from pre-existing vessels, contributes to numerous diseases including cancer, arthritis, atherosclerosis, infectious, and immune disorders. Antiangiogenic therapy is a promising approach for the treatment of such diseases by inhibiting the new vessel formation. Technological advances have led to the development of various antiangiogenic agents and have made possible antiangiogenic therapy in many diseases associated with angiogenesis. Some lichens and their metabolites are used in the drug industry, but many have not yet been tested for their antiangiogenic effects. The cytotoxic and angiogenic capacities of lichen-derived small molecules have been demonstrated in vivo and in vitro experiments. Therefore, some of them may be used as antiangiogenic agents in the future. The secondary compounds of lichen whose antiangiogenic effect has been studied in the literature are usnic acid, barbatolic acid, vulpinic acid, olivetoric acid, emodin, secalonic acid D, and parietin. In this article, we review the antiangiogenic effects and cellular targets of these lichen-derived metabolites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gönül Ulus
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Ege University, Izmir, Turkey
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Varol M. Anti-breast cancer and anti-angiogenic potential of a lichen-derived small-molecule: barbatolic acid. Cytotechnology 2018; 70:1565-1573. [PMID: 30155608 DOI: 10.1007/s10616-018-0249-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2018] [Accepted: 08/02/2018] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Natural products have been used for centuries as the most potent remedies to cure many diseases including cancer diseases. Angiogenesis is defined as the formation of new capillaries from existing vessels and plays a key role in the tumorigenesis process. Barbatolic acid is a little known lichen-derived small-molecule. In the present study, barbatolic acid was isolated from the acetone extract of Bryoria capillaris, and its anti-breast cancer and anti-angiogenic potential was investigated using human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), human breast ductal carcinoma (T-47D) and cisplatin-resistant BRCA2-mutated human breast TNM stage IV adenocarcinoma (HCC1428) cells. AlamarBlue™ cell viability, lactate dehydrogenase cellular membrane degradation and PicoGreen™ dsDNA quantitation assays were performed to determine the cytotoxic potential of barbatolic acid. Anti-angiogenic and anti-migratory activities were investigated using endothelial tube formation assay and scratch wound healing assay, respectively. Half maximal inhibitory concentration of barbatolic acid was found to be higher than 100 µM for HUVEC, HCC1428 and T-47D cells. The sub-cytotoxic concentrations such as 25 µM, 50 µM and 100 µM were applied to determine anti-angiogenic and anti-migratory activities. Although the sub-cytotoxic concentrations inhibited endothelial tube formation and cellular migration in a concentration depended manner, barbatolic acid was more effective on the migration of HCC1428 and T-47D breast cancer cells than the migration of HUVECs. Consequently, the findings suggest that barbatolic acid is a promising anti-angiogenic and anti-migratory agent and the underlying activity mechanisms should be investigated by further in vitro and in vivo experiments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mehmet Varol
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Yunusemre Campus, Anadolu University, 26470, Eskisehir, Turkey. .,Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Faculty of Science, Kotekli Campus, Mugla Sitki Kocman University, 48000, Mugla, Turkey.
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Koparal AT. Anti-angiogenic and antiproliferative properties of the lichen substances (-)-usnic acid and vulpinic acid. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2015; 70:159-64. [PMID: 26136299 DOI: 10.1515/znc-2014-4178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2014] [Accepted: 06/01/2015] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
The anti-proliferative activities of the lichen substances (-)-usnic acid and vulpinic acid on the viability of HepG2 hepatocarcinoma cells, NS20Y neuroblastoma cells and HUVEC endothelial cells were studied by the MTT assay. The anti-angiogenic potential of the substances was determined by the endothelial tube formation assay. Both lichen substances exhibited strong anti-angiogenic activity and were more cytotoxic to the cancer cell lines than to the normal cell line, but vulpinic acid has more potential as an anti-angiogenic substance because of its low cytotoxicity and stronger anti-angiogenic activity on the HUVEC cell line.
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