1
|
Zhao X, Li S, Xiang Z. Veratrum nigrum L.: A comprehensive review of ethnopharmacology, phytochemistry, pharmacology, pharmacokinetics and metabolism, toxicity, and incompatibility. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2024; 331:118219. [PMID: 38663784 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2024.118219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2024] [Revised: 04/04/2024] [Accepted: 04/16/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Veratrum nigrum L. (V. nigrum) is a well-known herb with a lengthy history of use in Asian and European countries. V. nigrum has been traditionally used to treat epilepsy, hypertension, malignant sores, and stroke, and it possesses emetic and insecticide properties. AIM OF THE REVIEW This review summarized the ethnopharmacology, phytochemistry, pharmacology, pharmacokinetics and metabolism, and toxicity of V. nigrum as well as its incompatibility with other herbs. Current challenges in the use of V. nigrum and possible future research directions were also discussed. MATERIALS AND METHODS Information on V. nigrum was collected from electronic databases such as PubMed, Google Scholar, Web of Science, CNKI, and WanFang DATA; Masterpieces of Traditional Chinese Medicine; local Chinese Materia Medica Standards; and relevant documents. RESULTS In ethnomedical practice, V. nigrum has been used as an emetic and insecticide. Approximately 137 compounds have been isolated from V. nigrum, including alkaloids, stilbenes, flavonoids, organic acids, and esters. Its crude extracts and compounds have shown various effects, including anticancer, hypotensive, insecticidal, and antimicrobial activities as well as the ability to improve hemorheological abnormalities. Pharmacokinetic studies have indicated that veratramine (VAM) and jervine have high bioavailability and possibly enterohepatic circulation. In addition, the sex-related pharmacokinetic differences in V. nigrum alkaloids warrant further attention. Toxicological studies have indicated that cevanine-type alkaloids and VAM may be the main toxic components of V. nigrum, and purine metabolism disorders may be related to V. nigrum toxicity. Furthermore, the neurotoxicity and embryotoxicity of V. nigrum have also been observed. The quality control of V. nigrum and the mechanism underlying its incompatibility with other herbs also deserve further research and refinement. CONCLUSION This review summarized the existing information on V. nigrum, laying the foundation for further studies on this herb and its safe use. Among the various compounds present in V. nigrum, steroid alkaloids are the most numerous and have high content; furthermore, they are closely related to the pharmacological effects of V. nigrum, but their toxicity can not also be ignored. Given that toxicity is a critical issue limiting the clinical application of V. nigrum, more toxicological studies on V. nigrum and its active ingredients, especially steroid alkaloids, should be conducted in the future to further explore its toxicity targets and the underlying mechanisms and to provide more evidence and recommendations to enhance the safety of its clinical application.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiang Zhao
- Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, The MOE Key Laboratory for Standardization of Chinese Medicines and The SATCM Key Laboratory for New Resources and Quality Evaluation of Chinese Medicines, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 1200 Cailun Rood, Shanghai, 201203, China.
| | - Shiyang Li
- School of Pharmacy, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Zedong Xiang
- Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, The MOE Key Laboratory for Standardization of Chinese Medicines and The SATCM Key Laboratory for New Resources and Quality Evaluation of Chinese Medicines, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 1200 Cailun Rood, Shanghai, 201203, China
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Liu J, Han L, Li G, Zhang A, Liu X, Zhao M. Transcriptome and metabolome profiling of the medicinal plant Veratrum mengtzeanum reveal key components of the alkaloid biosynthesis. Front Genet 2023; 14:1023433. [PMID: 36741317 PMCID: PMC9895797 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2023.1023433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2022] [Accepted: 01/09/2023] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Veratrum mengtzeanum is the main ingredient for Chinese folk medicine known as "Pimacao" due to its unique alkaloids. A diverse class of plant-specific metabolites having key pharmacological activities. There are limited studies on alkaloid synthesis and its metabolic pathways in plants. To elucidate the alkaloid pathway and identify novel biosynthetic enzymes and compounds in V. mengtzeanum, transcriptome and metabolome profiling has been conducted in leaves and roots. The transcriptome of V. mengtzeanum leaves and roots yielded 190,161 unigenes, of which 33,942 genes expressed differentially (DEGs) in both tissues. Three enriched regulatory pathways (isoquinoline alkaloid biosynthesis, indole alkaloid biosynthesis and tropane, piperidine and pyridine alkaloid biosynthesis) and a considerable number of genes such as AED3-like, A4U43, 21 kDa protein-like, 3-O-glycotransferase 2-like, AtDIR19, MST4, CASP-like protein 1D1 were discovered in association with the biosynthesis of alkaloids in leaves and roots. Some transcription factor families, i.e., AP2/ERF, GRAS, NAC, bHLH, MYB-related, C3H, FARI, WRKY, HB-HD-ZIP, C2H2, and bZIP were also found to have a prominent role in regulating the synthesis of alkaloids and steroidal alkaloids in the leaves and roots of V. mengtzeanum. The metabolome analysis revealed 74 significantly accumulated metabolites, with 55 differentially accumulated in leaves compared to root tissues. Out of 74 metabolites, 18 alkaloids were highly accumulated in the roots. A novel alkaloid compound viz; 3-Vanilloylygadenine was discovered in root samples. Conjoint analysis of transcriptome and metabolome studies has also highlighted potential genes involved in regulation and transport of alkaloid compounds. Here, we have presented a comprehensive metabolic and transcriptome profiling of V. mengtzeanum tissues. In earlier reports, only the roots were reported as a rich source of alkaloid biosynthesis, but the current findings revealed both leaves and roots as significant manufacturing factories for alkaloid biosynthesis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jiajia Liu
- College of Chinese Materia Medica, Yunnan University of Chinese Medicine, Kunming, China
| | - Lijun Han
- Yunnan Key Laboratory for Dai and Yi Medicines, University of Chinese Medicine Kunming, Kunming, China
| | - Guodong Li
- College of Chinese Materia Medica, Yunnan University of Chinese Medicine, Kunming, China
| | - Aili Zhang
- College of Chinese Materia Medica, Yunnan University of Chinese Medicine, Kunming, China
| | - Xiaoli Liu
- College of Chinese Materia Medica, Yunnan University of Chinese Medicine, Kunming, China
| | - Mingzhi Zhao
- Kunming Medical University Haiyuan College, Kunming, China,*Correspondence: Mingzhi Zhao,
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Phytocompounds as a source for the development of new drugs to treat respiratory viral infections. STUDIES IN NATURAL PRODUCTS CHEMISTRY 2023; 77:187-240. [PMCID: PMC10204935 DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-323-91294-5.00007-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/03/2024]
Abstract
Respiratory viruses have an important history as a threat to global health. However, this problem has been aggravated due to the appearance of new outbreaks caused by a newly discovered virus or variant. Recently, the new coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) has been a major concern for health authorities, and it was classified as a pandemic by the World Health Organization. Secondary metabolites obtained from plants represent an alternative to the discovery of new active molecules and have already shown potential to combat different viruses. In an effort to demonstrate the broad spectrum of antiviral action from these metabolites, this work describes the compounds that were effective against the major viruses that cause respiratory infections in humans. In addition, their mechanisms of action were highlighted as an approach to better understanding the virus-bioactive substance relationship. Finally, this study warns that, although phytocompounds have a broad antiviral action spectrum, the development of products and clinical trials based on these secondary metabolites is still scarce and therefore deserves greater attention from the scientific community.
Collapse
|
4
|
Purushothaman S, Lopez Aviña BB, Seifert AW. Sonic hedgehog is Essential for Proximal-Distal Outgrowth of the Limb Bud in Salamanders. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:797352. [PMID: 35433673 PMCID: PMC9010949 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.797352] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2021] [Accepted: 01/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The developing forelimb has been a foundational model to understand how specified progenitor cells integrate genetic information to produce the tetrapod limb bauplan. Although the reigning hypothesis is that all tetrapods develop limbs in a similar manner, recent work suggests that urodeles have evolved a derived mode of limb dvelopment. Here, we demonstrate through pharmacological and genetic inactivation of Sonic hedgehog (Shh) signaling in axolotls that Shh directs expansion and survival of limb progenitor cells in addition to patterning the limb across the proximodistal and antero-posterior axis. In contrast to inactivation of Shh in mouse or chick embryos where a humerus, radius, and single digit develop, Shh crispant axolotls completely lack forelimbs. In rescuing limb development by implanting SHH-N protein beads into the nascent limb field of Shh crispants, we show that the limb field is specified in the absence of Shh and that hedgehog pathway activation is required to initiate proximodistal outgrowth. When our results are examined alongside other derived aspects of salamander limb development and placed in a phylogenetic context, a new hypothesis emerges whereby the ability for cells at an amputation plane to activate morphogenesis and regenerate a limb may have evolved uniquely in urodeles.
Collapse
|
5
|
Rivera-González KS, Beames TG, Lipinski RJ. Examining the developmental toxicity of piperonyl butoxide as a Sonic hedgehog pathway inhibitor. CHEMOSPHERE 2021; 264:128414. [PMID: 33007564 PMCID: PMC9158378 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2020.128414] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2020] [Revised: 09/17/2020] [Accepted: 09/18/2020] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Piperonyl butoxide (PBO) is a semisynthetic chemical present in hundreds of pesticide formulations used in agricultural, commercial, and residential settings. PBO acts as a pesticide synergist by inhibiting insect cytochrome P450 enzymes and is often present at much higher concentrations than active insecticidal ingredients. PBO was recently discovered to also inhibit Sonic hedgehog (Shh) signaling, a key molecular pathway in embryonic development and in brain and face morphogenesis. Recent animal model studies have shown that in utero PBO exposure can cause overt craniofacial malformations or more subtle neurodevelopmental abnormalities. Related adverse developmental outcomes in humans are etiologically heterogeneous, and, while studies are limited, PBO exposure during pregnancy has been linked to neurodevelopmental deficits. Contextualized in PBO's newly recognized mechanism as a Shh signaling inhibitor, these findings support more rigorous examination of the developmental toxicity of PBO and its potential contribution to etiologically complex human birth defects. In this review, we highlight environmental sources of human PBO exposure and summarize existing animal studies examining the developmental impact of prenatal PBO exposure. Also presented are critical knowledge gaps in our understanding of PBO's pharmacokinetics and potential role in gene-environment and environment-environment interactions that should be addressed to better understand the human health impact of environmental PBO exposure.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kenneth S Rivera-González
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, 53706, USA; Molecular and Environmental Toxicology Graduate Training Program, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, 53706, USA
| | - Tyler G Beames
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, 53706, USA; Molecular and Environmental Toxicology Graduate Training Program, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, 53706, USA
| | - Robert J Lipinski
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, 53706, USA; Molecular and Environmental Toxicology Graduate Training Program, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, 53706, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Zheng B, Wang C, Song W, Ye X, Xiang Z. Pharmacokinetics and enterohepatic circulation of jervine, an antitumor steroidal alkaloid from Veratrum nigrum in rats. J Pharm Anal 2019; 9:367-372. [PMID: 31929946 PMCID: PMC6951481 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpha.2019.04.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2018] [Revised: 04/10/2019] [Accepted: 04/23/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Jervine, a novel steroidal alkaloid from Veratrum nigrum L., exhibits both antitumor effect and potential toxicity. The aim of study was to characterize the pharmacokinetic behaviors and enterohepatic circulation of jervine in rats. A rapid and simple ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometric method was developed and validated for quantification of jervine and alpinetin (internal standard) in rat plasma. After extraction from rat plasma by a simple protein-precipitation method, the analyte was separated on a C18 column (2.1 mm × 50 mm, 1.7 μm) using water with 0.1% formic acid and acetonitrile as the mobile phase delivered at a flow rate of 0.4 mL/min. Jervine and alpinetin were determined in the positive mode with multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) of the ion transitions at m/z 426.3 → 108.8 and m/z 271.0 → 166.9, respectively. Molecular docking method was used to investigate the binding of jervine to p-glycoprotein and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfotransferase. The method was well validated within acceptance limits including specificity, matrix effect, recovery, precision, accuracy, and stability, and was successfully applied to the pharmacokinetic study of jervine after oral and intravenous administration to rats. Jervine presented a small volume of distribution, fast absorption, high oral bioavailability, and enterohepatic circulation. The enterohepatic circulation was first observed in veratrum alkaloids, and was further investigated by molecular docking studies, which was related to the binding of jervine to p-glycoprotein and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfotransferase. The pharmacokinetic properties and enterohepatic circulation of jervine in rats provided a significant basis for the drug-drug interaction and toxicity study in the future. It is the first pharmacokinetic and bioavailability study of jervine in rats. A simple protein precipitation was used for pretreatment and the LLOQ was 0.25 ng/mL. The enterohepatic circulation was first observed in veratrum alkaloids.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bingjing Zheng
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, China
| | - Caihong Wang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, China
| | - Wenwen Song
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, China
| | - Xiaoxia Ye
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, China
| | - Zheng Xiang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, China
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Alonso-Castro AJ, Domínguez F, Ruiz-Padilla AJ, Campos-Xolalpa N, Zapata-Morales JR, Carranza-Alvarez C, Maldonado-Miranda JJ. Medicinal Plants from North and Central America and the Caribbean Considered Toxic for Humans: The Other Side of the Coin. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE : ECAM 2017; 2017:9439868. [PMID: 29234446 PMCID: PMC5688365 DOI: 10.1155/2017/9439868] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2017] [Revised: 10/04/2017] [Accepted: 10/10/2017] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
The consumption of medicinal plants has notably increased over the past two decades. People consider herbal products as safe because of their natural origin, without taking into consideration whether these plants contain a toxic principle. This represents a serious health problem. A bibliographic search was carried out using published scientific material on native plants from Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean, which describe the ethnobotanical and toxicological information of medicinal plants empirically considered to be toxic. A total of 216 medicinal plants belonging to 77 families have been reported as toxic. Of these plants, 76 had been studied, and 140 plants lacked studies regarding their toxicological effects. The toxicity of 16 plants species has been reported in clinical cases, particularly in children. From these plants, deaths have been reported with the consumption of Chenopodium ambrosioides, Argemone mexicana, and Thevetia peruviana. In most of the cases, the principle of the plant responsible for the toxicity is unknown. There is limited information about the toxicity of medicinal plants used in Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean. More toxicological studies are necessary to contribute information about the safe use of the medicinal plants cited in this review.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Angel Josabad Alonso-Castro
- Departamento de Farmacia, División de Ciencias Naturales y Exactas, Universidad de Guanajuato, Guanajuato, GTO, Mexico
| | - Fabiola Domínguez
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica de Oriente, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Metepec, PUE, Mexico
| | - Alan Joel Ruiz-Padilla
- Departamento de Farmacia, División de Ciencias Naturales y Exactas, Universidad de Guanajuato, Guanajuato, GTO, Mexico
| | - Nimsi Campos-Xolalpa
- Departamento de Sistemas Biológicos, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana, Unidad Xochimilco, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Juan Ramón Zapata-Morales
- Departamento de Farmacia, División de Ciencias Naturales y Exactas, Universidad de Guanajuato, Guanajuato, GTO, Mexico
| | - Candy Carranza-Alvarez
- Unidad Académica Multidisciplinaria de la Zona Huasteca, Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí, Ciudad Valles, SLP, Mexico
| | - Juan Jose Maldonado-Miranda
- Unidad Académica Multidisciplinaria de la Zona Huasteca, Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí, Ciudad Valles, SLP, Mexico
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Minatani T, Ohta H, Sakai E, Tanaka T, Goto K, Watanabe D, Miyaguchi H. Analysis of toxic Veratrum alkaloids in plant samples from an accidental poisoning case. Forensic Toxicol 2017. [DOI: 10.1007/s11419-017-0386-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
|
9
|
Identification of in vitro and in vivo metabolites of 12β-hydroxylveratroylzygadenine associated with neurotoxicity by using HPLC–MS/MS. CHINESE CHEM LETT 2014. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cclet.2014.05.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
|
10
|
Mas C, Ruiz i Altaba A. Small molecule modulation of HH-GLI signaling: current leads, trials and tribulations. Biochem Pharmacol 2010; 80:712-23. [PMID: 20412786 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2010.04.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2010] [Revised: 04/12/2010] [Accepted: 04/13/2010] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Many human sporadic cancers have been recently shown to require the activity of the Hedgehog-GLI pathway for sustained growth. The survival and expansion of cancer stem cells is also HH-GLI dependent. Here we review the advances on the modulation of HH-GLI signaling by small molecules. We focus on both natural compounds and synthetic molecules that target upstream pathway components, mostly SMOOTHENED, and those that target the last steps of the pathway, the GLI transcription factors. In this review we have sought to provide some bases for useful comparisons, listing original assays used and sources to facilitate comparisons of IC50 values. This area is a rapidly expanding field where biology, medicine and chemistry intersect, both in academia and industry. We also highlight current clinical trials, with positive results in early stages. While we have tried to be exhaustive regarding the molecules, not all data is in the public domain yet. Indeed, we have opted to avoid listing chemical structures but these can be easily found in the references given. Finally, we are hopeful that the best molecules will soon reach the patients but caution about the lack of investment on compounds that lack tight IP positions. While the market in developed nations is expected to compensate the investment and risk of making HH-GLI modulators, other sources or plans must be available for developing nations and poor patient populations. The promise of curing cancer recalls the once revered dream of El Dorado, which taught us that not everything that GLI-tters is gold.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Christophe Mas
- Department of Genetic Medicine and Development, University of Geneva Medical School, 1 rue Michel Servet, CH-1211 Geneva, Switzerland.
| | | |
Collapse
|
11
|
Li HL, Tang J, Liu RH, Zhang C, Zhang WD. Two new flavanone glycosides from Veratrum nigrum L. Nat Prod Res 2009; 23:122-6. [DOI: 10.1080/14786410801887664] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Hui-Liang Li
- a Department of Natural Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy , Second Military Medical University , Shanghai, China
| | - Jian Tang
- a Department of Natural Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy , Second Military Medical University , Shanghai, China
| | - Run-Hui Liu
- a Department of Natural Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy , Second Military Medical University , Shanghai, China
| | - Chuan Zhang
- a Department of Natural Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy , Second Military Medical University , Shanghai, China
| | - Wei-Dong Zhang
- a Department of Natural Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy , Second Military Medical University , Shanghai, China
- b School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University , Shanghai, China
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Scales SJ, de Sauvage FJ. Mechanisms of Hedgehog pathway activation in cancer and implications for therapy. Trends Pharmacol Sci 2009; 30:303-12. [PMID: 19443052 DOI: 10.1016/j.tips.2009.03.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 510] [Impact Index Per Article: 34.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2009] [Revised: 03/24/2009] [Accepted: 03/25/2009] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
The Hedgehog (Hh) signaling pathway regulates body patterning and organ development during embryogenesis. In adults the Hh pathway is mainly quiescent, with the exception of roles in tissue maintenance and repair, and its inappropriate reactivation has been linked to several disparate human cancers. In addition to cancers with mutations in components of the Hh pathway, Hh ligand-dependent cancers have been proposed to respond to Hh in an autocrine manner. More recent findings that Hh might instead signal in a paracrine manner from the tumor to the surrounding stroma or in cancer stem cells alter our understanding of Hh mechanisms in cancer, with important implications for choice of preclinical tumor models, drug screening, patient selection and therapeutic intervention. We review here the roles of the Hh pathway in cancer, Hh pathway inhibitors (HPIs) and early clinical trial results using a novel small molecule HPI, GDC-0449.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Suzie J Scales
- Department of Molecular Biology, Genentech, 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | | |
Collapse
|
13
|
Gaffield W, Keeler RF. Steroidal Alkaloid Teratogens: Molecular Probes for Investigation of Craniofacial Malformations. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2008. [DOI: 10.3109/15569549609064085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
|
14
|
Lipinski RJ, Hutson PR, Hannam PW, Nydza RJ, Washington IM, Moore RW, Girdaukas GG, Peterson RE, Bushman W. Dose- and route-dependent teratogenicity, toxicity, and pharmacokinetic profiles of the hedgehog signaling antagonist cyclopamine in the mouse. Toxicol Sci 2008; 104:189-97. [PMID: 18411234 DOI: 10.1093/toxsci/kfn076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 102] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
The Hedgehog (Hh) signaling pathway is an essential regulator of embryonic development and appears to play important roles in postnatal repair and cancer progression and metastasis. The teratogenic Veratrum alkaloid cyclopamine is a potent Hh antagonist and is used experimentally both in vitro and in vivo to investigate the role of Hh signaling in diverse biological processes. Here, we set out to establish an administration regimen for cyclopamine-induced teratogenicity in the mouse. The dysmorphogenic concentration of cyclopamine was determined in vitro via mouse whole-embryo culture assays to be 2.0 microM. We administered cyclopamine to female C57BL/6J mice at varied doses by oral gavage, ip injection, or osmotic pump infusion and assessed toxicity and pharmacokinetic (PK) models. Bolus administration was limited by toxicity and rapid clearance. In vivo cyclopamine infusion at 160 mg/kg/day yielded a dam serum steady-state concentration of approximately 2 microM with a corresponding amniotic fluid concentration of approximately 1.5 microM. Gross facial defects were induced in 30% of cyclopamine-exposed litters, with affected embryos exhibiting cleft lip and palate. This is the first report describing the PKs and teratogenic potential of cyclopamine in the mouse and demonstrates that transient Hh signaling inhibition induces facial clefting anomalies in the mouse that mimic common human birth defects.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Robert J Lipinski
- Molecular and Environmental Toxicology Center, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin, Madison WI 53703, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
15
|
Li HL, Tang J, Liu RH, Lin M, Wang B, Lv YF, Huang HQ, Zhang C, Zhang WD. Characterization and identification of steroidal alkaloids in the Chinese herb Veratrum nigrum L. by high-performance liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization with multi-stage mass spectrometry. RAPID COMMUNICATIONS IN MASS SPECTROMETRY : RCM 2007; 21:869-79. [PMID: 17294514 DOI: 10.1002/rcm.2909] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
Electrospray ionization multi-stage mass spectrometry (ESI-MS(n)) was performed to study the fragmentation behaviour of seventeen steroidal alkaloids (4 protoverine-type alkaloids, 10 germine-type alkaloids and 3 zygadenin-type alkaloids) from the Chinese herb Veratrum nigrum L. The MS(n) spectra of the [M+H](+) ions for steroidal alkaloids provided a wealth of structural information on the substituted groups. In positive ion mode, the three types of alkaloids showed very different characteristic ions: m/z 436 or 418 for protoverine-type alkaloids; m/z 438, 420 or 402 for germine-type alkaloids; m/z 440 or 422 for zygadenin-type alkaloids. These fragments were used to deduce their mass spectral fragmentation mechanisms. Furthermore, the primary compounds in methanolic extracts of the herb of Veratrum nigrum L. were investigated by using liquid chromatography (LC)/ESI-MS(n). As a result, 21 steroidal alkaloids (5 protoverine-type alkaloids, 14 germine-type alkaloids and 2 zygadenin-type alkaloids) were selectively identified from 27 determined peaks. Eleven compounds were unambiguously identified by comparing with standard compounds and ten compounds were tentatively identified or deduced according to their MS(n) data. Two of these compounds (xingangermine and deacetyl xinganveratrine) were found to be novel steroidal alkaloids. In addition, the chemical structures of two pairs of steroidal alkaloid isomers were deduced by comparing their fragment ions. Given the important structural information of known and unknown steroidal alkaloids in crude herbal extracts, this study is useful for identifying these types of steroidal alkaloids in crude materials rapidly and selectively.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hui-Liang Li
- Department of Natural Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, The Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
16
|
Teraoka H, Dong W, Okuhara Y, Iwasa H, Shindo A, Hill AJ, Kawakami A, Hiraga T. Impairment of lower jaw growth in developing zebrafish exposed to 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin and reduced hedgehog expression. AQUATIC TOXICOLOGY (AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS) 2006; 78:103-13. [PMID: 16580747 DOI: 10.1016/j.aquatox.2006.02.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2005] [Revised: 02/15/2006] [Accepted: 02/15/2006] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) has been shown to cause a multitude of detrimental effects to developing zebrafish (Danio rerio). Previously, we demonstrated that jaw growth was impaired by TCDD exposure, but the exact mechanism underlying these malformations remained unknown. In the present study, we investigated the involvement of hedgehog genes and their downstream signaling in TCDD-mediated jaw malformation. We demonstrate that the developing lower jaw expresses sonic hedgehog a (shha), sonic hedgehog b (shhb) and their receptors, patched1 (ptc1) and patched2 (ptc2), as well as the downstream transcription factors, gli1 and gli2a. Loss of Hh signaling in mutants (sonic you) and larvae treated with a Hh inhibitor (cyclopamine), resulted in similar effects as those caused by TCDD. Moreover, TCDD exposure caused downregulation of shha and shhb in a manner dependent on aryl hydrocarbon receptor 2 (ahr2). Although this suggested an involvement of Hh signaling in TCDD-mediated impairment of jaw growth, we did not observe downregulation of ptc1 and ptc2, receptors dependent on Hh signaling. Furthermore, while the overall occurrence of apoptosis in the developing jaw was minimal, it was significantly increased in larvae treated with cyclopamine. In contrast, both TCDD and cyclopamine markedly reduced immunoreactivity against phosphorylated histone 3, a cell proliferation marker in the developing jaw. Taken together, our data suggest that Ahr2-mediated downregulation of Hh signaling, leading to a failure of cell proliferation, contributes to TCDD induced inhibition of lower jaw growth. TCDD may impair jaw growth through other pathway(s) in addition to Hh signaling.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hiroki Teraoka
- Department of Toxicology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Rakuno Gakuen University, Ebetsu 069-8501, Japan.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
17
|
Silva Freitas EM, Fagian MM, da Cruz Höfling MA. Effects of veratrine and veratridine on oxygen consumption and electrical membrane potential of isolated rat skeletal muscle and liver mitochondria. Toxicon 2006; 47:780-7. [PMID: 16626771 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2006.02.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2005] [Revised: 02/14/2006] [Accepted: 02/15/2006] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
We have previously shown that veratrine, a mixture of alkaloids known as Veratrum alkaloids, produces skeletal muscle toxicity, and there is evidence that veratrine interferes with the energetics of various systems, including cardiomyocytes and synaptosomes. In this work, we explored the effects of veratrine and veratridine, a component of this mixture, in rat skeletal muscle mitochondria and compared the results with those seen in liver mitochondria. Veratrine and veratridine alkaloids caused a significant concentration-dependent decrease in the rate of state 3 respiration, respiratory control (RCR) and ADP/O ratios in isolated rat skeletal muscle mitochondria (RMM), but not in rat liver mitochondria (RLM) supported by either NADH-linked substrates or succinate. The oxygen consumption experiments showed that RMM were more susceptible to the toxic action of Veratrum alkaloids than RLM. The addition of veratrine (250 microg/ml) to RMM caused dissipation of the mitochondrial electrical membrane potential during succinate oxidation, but this effect was totally reversed by adding ATP. These results indicate that there are chemical- and tissue-specific toxic effects of veratrine and veratridine on mitochondrial respiratory chain complexes. Identification of the specific respiratory chain targets involved should provide a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms of the toxicity of these agents.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Erika Maria Silva Freitas
- Departamento de Histologia e Embriologia, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP), 13083-970 Campinas, SP, Brazil
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
18
|
Edison RJ, Muenke M. Mechanistic and epidemiologic considerations in the evaluation of adverse birth outcomes following gestational exposure to statins. Am J Med Genet A 2005; 131:287-98. [PMID: 15546153 DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.a.30386] [Citation(s) in RCA: 132] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
The cholesterol-lowering "statin" drugs are contraindicated in pregnancy, but few data exist on their safety in human gestation. We reviewed case reports for patterns suggesting drug-related effects on prenatal development and considered a variety of mechanisms by which such effects, if confirmed, might occur. This uncontrolled case series included all FDA reports of statin exposures during gestation, as well as others from the literature and from manufacturers. Exposures and outcomes were reviewed and were tabulated by individual drug. Age-specific rates of exposure to each drug among women of child-bearing age were estimated. Of 214 ascertained pregnancy exposures, 70 evaluable reports remained after excluding uninformative cases. Among 31 adverse outcomes were 22 cases with structural defects, 4 cases of intrauterine growth restriction, and 5 cases of fetal demise. There were two principal categories of recurrent structural defects: cerivastatin and lovastatin were associated with four reports of severe midline CNS defects; simvastatin, lovastatin, and atorvastatin were all associated with reports of limb deficiencies, including two similar complex lower limb defects reported following simvastatin exposure. There were also two cases of VACTERL association among the limb deficiency cases. All adverse outcomes were reported following exposure to cerivastatin, simvastatin, lovastatin, or atorvastatin, which are lipophilic and equilibrate between maternal and embryonic compartments. None were reported following exposure to pravastatin, which is minimally present in the embryo. Statins reaching the embryo may down-regulate biosynthesis of cholesterol as well as many important metabolic intermediates, and may have secondary effects on sterol-dependent morphogens such as Sonic Hedgehog. The reported cases display patterns consistent with dysfunction of cholesterol biosynthesis and Sonic Hedgehog activity. Controlled studies are needed to investigate the teratogenicity of individual drugs in this class.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Robin J Edison
- Medical Genetics Branch, National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, Bethesda, Maryland 20892-3717, USA
| | | |
Collapse
|
19
|
|
20
|
Cordero D, Marcucio R, Hu D, Gaffield W, Tapadia M, Helms JA. Temporal perturbations in sonic hedgehog signaling elicit the spectrum of holoprosencephaly phenotypes. J Clin Invest 2004; 114:485-94. [PMID: 15314685 PMCID: PMC506789 DOI: 10.1172/jci19596] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2003] [Accepted: 06/29/2004] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
One of the most perplexing questions in clinical genetics is why patients with identical gene mutations oftentimes exhibit radically different clinical features. This inconsistency between genotype and phenotype is illustrated in the malformation spectrum of holoprosencephaly (HPE). Family members carrying identical mutations in sonic hedgehog (SHH) can exhibit a variety of facial features ranging from cyclopia to subtle midline asymmetries. Such intrafamilial variability may arise from environmental factors acting in conjunction with gene mutations that collectively reduce SHH activity below a critical threshold. We undertook a series of experiments to test the hypothesis that modifying the activity of the SHH signaling pathway at discrete periods of embryonic development could account for the phenotypic spectrum of HPE. Exposing avian embryos to cyclopamine during critical periods of craniofacial development recreated a continuum of HPE-related defects. The craniofacial malformations included hypotelorism, midfacial hypoplasia, and facial clefting and were not the result of excessive crest cell apoptosis. Rather, they resulted from molecular reprogramming of an organizing center whose activity controls outgrowth and patterning of the mid and upper face. Collectively, these data reveal one mechanism by which the variable expressivity of a disorder such as HPE can be produced through temporal disruption of a single molecular pathway.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dwight Cordero
- University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
21
|
Cordero D, Marcucio R, Hu D, Gaffield W, Tapadia M, Helms JA. Temporal perturbations in sonic hedgehog signaling elicit the spectrum of holoprosencephaly phenotypes. J Clin Invest 2004. [DOI: 10.1172/jci200419596] [Citation(s) in RCA: 141] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
|
22
|
ten Berge D, Brouwer A, Korving J, Reijnen MJ, van Raaij EJ, Verbeek F, Gaffield W, Meijlink F. Prx1andPrx2are upstream regulators of sonic hedgehog and control cell proliferation during mandibular arch morphogenesis. Development 2001; 128:2929-38. [PMID: 11532916 DOI: 10.1242/dev.128.15.2929] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
The aristaless-related homeobox genes Prx1 and Prx2 are required for correct skeletogenesis in many structures. Mice that lack both Prx1 and Prx2 functions display reduction or absence of skeletal elements in the skull, face, limbs and vertebral column. A striking phenotype is found in the lower jaw, which shows loss of midline structures, and the presence of a single, medially located incisor. We investigated development of the mandibular arch of Prx1−/−Prx2−/− mutants to obtain insight into the molecular basis of the lower jaw abnormalities. We observed in mutant embryos a local decrease in proliferation of mandibular arch mesenchyme in a medial area. Interestingly, in the oral epithelium adjacent to this mesenchyme, sonic hedgehog (Shh) expression was strongly reduced, indicative of a function for Prx genes in indirect regulation of Shh. Wild-type embryos that were exposed to the hedgehog-pathway inhibitor, jervine, partially phenocopied the lower jaw defects of Prx1−/−Prx2−/− mutants. In addition, this treatment led to loss of the mandibular incisors. We present a model that describes how loss of Shh expression in Prx1−/−Prx2−/− mutants leads to abnormal morphogenesis of the mandibular arch.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- D ten Berge
- Hubrecht Laboratorium, Netherlands Institute for Developmental Biology, Uppsalalaan 8, 3584 CT Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
23
|
Munro IC, Ford RA, Kennepohl E, Sprenger JG. Correlation of structural class with no-observed-effect levels: a proposal for establishing a threshold of concern. Food Chem Toxicol 1996; 34:829-67. [PMID: 8972878 DOI: 10.1016/s0278-6915(96)00049-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 297] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
The relationship between chemical structure and toxicity was explored through the compilation of a large reference database consisting of over 600 chemical substances tested for a variety of endpoints resulting in over 2900 no-observed-effect levels (NOELs). Each substance in the database was classified into one of three structural classes using a decision tree approach. The resulting cumulative distributions of NOELs for each of the structural classes differed significantly from one another, supporting the contention that chemical structure defines toxicity. The database was used to derive a threshold of acceptable human exposure for each of the structural classes that could be applied in the absence of specific toxicity data on a substance within one of the three structural classes. The human exposure thresholds provide guidance on the degree of testing and evaluation required for substances that lack toxicity data.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- I C Munro
- CanTox Inc., Mississauga, Ontario, Canada
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|