Protoberberine alkaloids and their reversal activity of P-gp expressed multidrug resistance (MDR) from the rhizome of Coptis japonica Makino

A Novel Berberine–Glycyrrhizic Acid Complex Formulation Enhanced the Prevention Effect to Doxorubicin-Induced Cardiotoxicity by Pharmacokinetic Modulation of Berberine in Rats

Developing a new drug delivery system is one of the useful approaches to overcome the limited use of berberine (BBR) to enhance its absorption and bioavailability. We prepared a novel berberine–glycyrrhizic acid (BBR–GL) complex formulation to increase the plasma concentration and bioavailability of BBR by improving BBR solubility and lowering the absorption barrier. The complex formulation with BBR and GL in the ratio 1:1 was developed through the self-assembly process and evaluated in vitro. Compared with BBR and BBR/GL physical mixture, the BBR–GL complex showed different characteristics by SEM, DSC, FT-IR, and PXRD measurement. In pharmacokinetic evaluation, the BBR–GL complex significantly increased the plasma concentration of BBR and the major metabolite berberrubine (BBB), with the AUC of BBR elevated to 4.43-folds, while the complex was safe as BBR. Furthermore, doxorubicin (DOX) was used to induce cardiotoxicity. Hematological study, histopathological examinations, electrocardiography (ECG), cardiac secretion measurement, and biochemical index analysis proved that the model of doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity (DIC) was conducted successfully. With the AUC of BBR increasing in the BBR–GL complex and the absorbed complex itself, the BBR–GL complex enhanced prevention effect to DIC and exhibited a significant prevention effect to attenuate heart damage. Our findings demonstrated that a novel BBR-loaded BBR–GL complex formulation could increase BBR plasma concentration. Improvement of BBR bioavailability by the BBR–GL complex could coordinate with GL to attenuate DIC. Concerning the safety of the drug delivery system at present, the BBR–GL complex could be a potential therapeutic formulation for the prevention of cardiac damage in the clinical application of doxorubicin.

Alkaloids of Dicranostigma franchetianum (Papaveraceae) and Berberine Derivatives as a New Class of Antimycobacterial Agents

Tuberculosis (TB) is a widespread infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The increasing incidence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) and extensively drug-resistant (XDR) strains has created a need for new antiTB agents with new chemical scaffolds to combat the disease. Thus, the key question is: how to search for new antiTB and where to look for them? One of the possibilities is to search among natural products (NPs). In order to search for new antiTB drugs, the detailed phytochemical study of the whole Dicranostigma franchetianum plant was performed isolating wide spectrum of isoquinoline alkaloids (IAs). The chemical structures of the isolated alkaloids were determined by a combination of MS, HRMS, 1D, and 2D NMR techniques, and by comparison with literature data. Alkaloids were screened against Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Ra and four other mycobacterial strains (M. aurum, M. avium, M. kansasii, and M. smegmatis). Alkaloids 3 and 5 showed moderate antimycobacterial activity against all tested strains (MICs 15.625–31.25 µg/mL). Furthermore, ten semisynthetic berberine (16a–16k) derivatives were developed and tested for antimycobacterial activity. In general, the derivatization of berberine was connected with a significant increase in antimycobacterial activity against all tested strains (MICs 0.39–7.81 μg/mL). Two derivatives (16e, 16k) were identified as compounds with micromolar MICs against M. tuberculosis H37Ra (MIC 2.96 and 2.78 µM). All compounds were also evaluated for their in vitro hepatotoxicity on a hepatocellular carcinoma cell line (HepG2), exerting lower cytotoxicity profile than their MIC values, thereby potentially reaching an effective concentration without revealing toxic side effects.

Drug Resistance in Colorectal Cancer: From Mechanism to Clinic

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. The 5-year survival rate is 90% for patients with early CRC, 70% for patients with locally advanced CRC, and 15% for patients with metastatic CRC (mCRC). In fact, most CRC patients are at an advanced stage at the time of diagnosis. Although chemotherapy, molecularly targeted therapy and immunotherapy have significantly improved patient survival, some patients are initially insensitive to these drugs or initially sensitive but quickly become insensitive, and the emergence of such primary and secondary drug resistance is a significant clinical challenge. The most direct cause of resistance is the aberrant anti-tumor drug metabolism, transportation or target. With more in-depth research, it is found that cell death pathways, carcinogenic signals, compensation feedback loop signal pathways and tumor immune microenvironment also play essential roles in the drug resistance mechanism. Here, we assess the current major mechanisms of CRC resistance and describe potential therapeutic interventions.

Compounds with NO Inhibitory Effect from the Rattan Stems of Sinomenium acutum, a Kind of Chinese Folk Medicine for Treating Rheumatoid Arthritis

Three new alkaloids (1-3), one new diphenyl ether (4) and fifteen known alkaloids (5-19) were isolated from the rattan stems of Sinomenium acutum. Comprehensive analyses of HR-ESI-MS, 1D (¹ H and ¹³ C), 2D-NMR (¹ H-¹ H COSY, HSQC, HMBC, NOESY), circular dichroism (CD), UV and IR revealed the structures and absolute configurations of these new compounds. The structures of other compounds were determined by comparison of their ¹ H and ¹³ C-NMR data with previous literature reports. By measuring the amount of NO produced, the anti-inflammatory properties of the isolated compounds were studied. The results showed that compounds 4 and 5 had strong NO inhibitory activity.

Cytotoxic and genotoxic properties of artathomsonine, a new oxoberberine alkaloid from Artabotrys thomsonii (annonaceae)

A phytochemical investigation of the liana of Artabotrys thomsonii led to the isolation of a new oxoberberine alkaloid, 2,10-dihydroxy-3,9-dimethoxy-8-oxo-protoberberine (7), along with six known compounds. Their chemical structures were elucidated by 1 D and 2 D NMR spectroscopic methods and HRESI-MSn data analysis. Compounds 4 and 7 were selected for further in vitro investigations. In accordance with expectations from their chemical structures, compounds 7 and 4 showed a clear antioxidant activity in a cell-free assay, with compound 7 being 7-fold more active than 4. Cytotoxicity, cytostatic and genotoxic effects only occurred at high micromolar concentrations of 50 µM or more. Compound 7 was slightly less effective than compound 4. A low micromolar concentration of 10 µM did not cause any damaging cellular effects but showed potential for a protection against the micronucleus-inducing effect of reactive oxygen species hydrogen peroxide, although not to a significant extent.

Apoptosis Induction, a Sharp Edge of Berberine to Exert Anti-Cancer Effects, Focus on Breast, Lung, and Liver Cancer

Cancer is the leading cause of death and one of the greatest barriers to increased life expectancy worldwide. Currently, chemotherapy with synthetic drugs remains one of the predominant ways for cancer treatment, which may lead to drug resistance and normal organ damage. Increasing researches have suggested that apoptosis, a type of programmed cell death, is a promising way for cancer therapy. Furthermore, natural products are important sources for finding new drugs with high availability, low cost and low toxicity. As a well-known isoquinoline alkaloid, accumulating evidence has revealed that berberine (BBR) exerts potential pro-apoptotic effects on multiple cancers, including breast, lung, liver, gastric, colorectal, pancreatic, and ovarian cancers. The related potential signal pathways are AMP-activated protein kinase, mitogen-activated protein kinase, and protein kinase B pathways. In this review, we provide a timely and comprehensive summary of the detailed molecular mechanisms of BBR in treating three types of cancer (breast, lung and liver cancer) by inducing apoptosis. Furthermore, we also discuss the existing challenges and strategies to improve BBR’s bioavailability. Hopefully, this review provides valuable information for the comprehension of BBR in treating three types of cancer and highlight the pro-apoptotic effects of BBR, which would be beneficial for the further development of this natural compound as an effective clinical drug for treating cancers.

Current Advances in Coptidis Rhizoma for Gastrointestinal and Other Cancers

Cancer is a serious disease with an increasing number of reported cases and high mortality worldwide. Gastrointestinal cancer defines a group of cancers in the digestive system, e.g., liver cancer, colorectal cancer, and gastric cancer. Coptidis Rhizoma (C. Rhizoma; Huanglian, in Chinese) is a classical Chinese medicinal botanical drug for the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders and has been shown to have a wide variety of pharmacological activity, including antifungal, antivirus, anticancer, antidiabetic, hypoglycemic, and cardioprotective effects. Recent studies on C. Rhizoma present significant progress on its anticancer effects and the corresponding mechanisms as well as its clinical applications. Herein, keywords related to C. Rhizoma, cancer, gastrointestinal cancer, and omics were searched in PubMed and the Web of Science databases, and more than three hundred recent publications were reviewed and discussed. C. Rhizoma extract along with its main components, berberine, palmatine, coptisine, magnoflorine, jatrorrhizine, epiberberine, oxyepiberberine, oxyberberine, dihydroberberine, columbamine, limonin, and derivatives, are reviewed. We describe novel and classic anticancer mechanisms from various perspectives of pharmacology, pharmaceutical chemistry, and pharmaceutics. Researchers have transformed the chemical structures and drug delivery systems of these components to obtain better efficacy and bioavailability of C. Rhizoma. Furthermore, C. Rhizoma in combination with other drugs and their clinical application are also summarized. Taken together, C. Rhizoma has broad prospects as a potential adjuvant candidate against cancers, making it reasonable to conduct additional preclinical studies and clinical trials in gastrointestinal cancer in the future.

An integrated strategy for the establishment of a protoberberine alkaloid profile: Exploration of the differences in composition between Tinosporae radix and Fibraurea caulis

INTRODUCTION

Accurate species and content identification of major active components in herbals are the guarantee of the safety and effectiveness for medical and commodity purposes.

OBJECTIVES

In this study, an integrated strategy used to establish the protoberberine alkaloid profile was applied to explore the differences in composition between the pieces of Tinosporae radix and Fibraurea caulis, both of which had morphological similarities.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

First, an in-house library including possible protoberberine alkaloids based on different substituents was predicted by systematic literature survey. Meanwhile, diagnostic fragments of protoberberine alkaloids were investigated using the corresponding standards. Second, ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-QTOF-MS/MS) was used to obtain multidimensional mass spectral data. Then, the identifications were confirmed by targeted filter of the acquired data based on the library.

RESULTS

As a result, 10 protoberberine alkaloid molecules including 46 isomers were identified or characterised. The qualitative distribution and relative content of protoberberine alkaloids revealed the fundamental difference between Tinosporae radix and Fibraurea caulis. 25 alkaloids were present in both herbals, while five compounds were detected only in Tinosporae radix. Furthermore, the contents of four alkaloids in Tinosporae radix were significantly higher than those in its adulterant, Fibraurea caulis.

CONCLUSION

The five unique ingredients in Tinosporae radix can be used as a better indicator for distinguishing the pieces of Tinosporae radix and Fibraurea caulis. The protoberberine alkaloid profile established in this study can be applied to quality evaluation of the two herbals or other herbals containing major protoberberine alkaloids.

Inhibition effect of oxyepiberberine isolated from Coptis chinensis franch. On non-small cell lung cancer based on a network pharmacology approach and experimental validation

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

As an important Chinese herb, Coptis chinensis Franch. (Huanglian, HL) has a long history of usage for clearing heat, eliminating dampness, purging fire and detoxification in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). HL, also called goldthread, was frequently used for the treatment of typhoid, tuberculosis, epidemic cerebrospinal meningitis, pertussis, and other lung-related diseases. Modern research has shown that HL and its main compounds also have anti-tumor effects. However, studies have not reported whether its main compounds inhibit Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) development and progression.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to find out the potential targets and mechanisms of Oxyepiberberine (OPB) isolated from HL in the treatment of NSCLC, using network pharmacology and biological experimental.

METHODS

Silica gel chromatography column was used to isolate OPB from HL, and the structure of OPB was elucidated using different spectroscopic analysis methods, including ¹H-nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), ¹³C-NMR and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI/MS). MTT assay was performed to determine cell proliferation of OPB on A549, H1975 and BEAS-2B cells. Then, the potential targets, pathways and hub genes of OPB for treating NSCLC were screened out through network pharmacology. Based on the results of network pharmacology, core targets of OPB for treating NSCLC were docking with OPB via molecular docking. Wound healing, plate clone, Hoechst staining, and western blot assay were used to verify the function of OPB in treatment of NSCLC.

RESULTS

OPB was isolated from the HL, its molecular formula was identified as C₂₀H₁₇NO₅. Through MTT, OPB significantly inhibited the proliferation of H1975 cells and A549 cells, and A549 was chosen as the test cancer cell. Through network pharmacology, 22 potential targets, 156 related-pathways, and 6 hub genes were screened out. The results of molecular docking showed that SRC, BRAF, and MMP9 were the core targets of OPB against NSCLC. Through biological experimental, it was found that OPB inhibited growth and migration of A549 cells. In addition, OPB induced apoptosis in A549 cells. Through western blot assay, the expressions of Src, ERK1/2 and other four proteins were down-regulated, which suggested that OPB inhibited the proliferation of lung cancer cells by down-regulating SRC-FAK-RAS-RAF-MEK-ERK pathway, so as to achieve the anti-NSCLC effect.

CONCLUSION

Our study demonstrated that anti-NSCLC effect of OPB through network and experiments, which provided a theoretical basis for the clinical antitumor of OPB, and provided a foundation for further study of OPB.

Stephapierrines A-H, new tetrahydroprotoberberine and aporphine alkaloids from the tubers of Stephania pierrei Diels and their anti-cholinesterase activities

Eight new alkaloids, which are four new tetrahydroprotoberberine alkaloids, stephapierrines A-D (1-4), and four new aporphine alkaloids, stephapierrines E-H (5-8), together with three new naturally occurring alkaloids (9-11) and thirty-four known alkaloids (12-45) were isolated from the tubers of Stephania pierrei Diels. The structures of the new compounds were elucidated by spectroscopic analysis and physical properties. The structures of the known compounds were characterized by comparison of their spectroscopic data with those previously reported. Compound 42 exhibited the strongest acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitory activity, which was more active than galanthamine, the reference drug. Compound 23 showed the highest butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE) inhibitory activity, which was also more active than galanthamine. Molecular docking studies are in good agreement with the experimental results.

Characterizing the cytotoxic effects and several antimicrobial phytocompounds of Argemone mexicana

Commonly called the Mexican prickly poppy, Argemone mexicana is a stress-resistant member of the Papaveraceae family of plants that has been used in traditional medicine for centuries by indigenous communities in Mexico and Western parts of the United States. This plant has been exploited to treat a wide variety of ailments, with reported antimicrobial and antioxidant properties, as well as cytotoxic effects against some human cancer cell lines. Due to its various therapeutic uses and its abundance of secondary metabolites, A. mexicana has great potential as a drug discovery candidate. Herein, the germination conditions of A. mexicana are described and the cytotoxic activities of different parts (seeds, leaves, inner vs. outer roots) of the plant from methanol or hexane extracts are preliminarily characterized against cells of seven unique organisms. When comparing 1 mg of each sample normalized to background solvent alone, A. mexicana methanol outer root and leaf extracts possessed the strongest antimicrobial activity, with greatest effects against the Gram-positive bacteria tested, and less activity against the Gram-negative bacteria and fungi tested. Additionally, using the MTT colorimetric assay, the outer root methanol and seed hexane extracts displayed pronounced inhibitory effects against human colon cancer cells. Quantification of c-MYC (oncogene) and APC (tumor suppressor) mRNA levels help elucidate how the A. mexicana root methanol extract may be affecting colon cancer cells. After ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry and subsequent nuclear magnetic resonance analysis of the root and leaf methanol fractions, two main antibacterial compounds, chelerythrine and berberine, have been identified. The roots were found to possess both phytocompounds, while the leaf lacked chelerythrine. These data highlight the importance of plants as an invaluable pharmaceutical resource at a time when antimicrobial and anticancer drug discovery has plateaued.

Gut Microbiota-Mediated Transformation of Coptisine Into a Novel Metabolite 8-Oxocoptisine: Insight Into Its Superior Anti-Colitis Effect

Coptisine (COP) is a bioactive isoquinoline alkaloid derived from Coptis Chinemsis Franch, which is traditionally applied for the management of colitis. However, the blood concentration of COP was extremely low, and its gut microbiota-mediated metabolites were thought to contribute to its prominent bioactivities. To comparatively elucidate the protective effect and underlying mechanism of COP and its novel gut microbiota metabolite (8-oxocoptisine, OCOP) against colitis, we used dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) to induce colitis in mice. Clinical symptoms, microscopic alternation, immune-inflammatory parameters for colitis were estimated. The results indicated that OCOP dramatically ameliorated disease activity index (DAI), the shortening of colon length and colonic histopathological deteriorations. OCOP treatment also suppressed the mRNA expression and release of inflammatory mediators (TGF-β, TNF-α, IL-6, IL-18, IL-1β and IFN-γ) and elevated the transcriptional and translational levels of anti-inflammatory cytokine (IL-10) as well as the mRNA expression levels of adhesion molecules (ICAM-1 and VCAM-1). Besides, the activation of NF-κB pathway and NLRP3 inflammasome was markedly inhibited by OCOP. Furthermore, OCOP displayed superior anti-colitis effect to COP, and was similar to MSZ with much smaller dosage. Taken together, the protective effect of OCOP against DSS-induced colitis might be intimately related to inhibition of NF-κB pathway and NLRP3 inflammasome. And the findings indicated that OCOP might have greater potential than COP to be further exploited as a promising candidate in the treatment of colitis.

Potential Herb-Drug Interactions in the Management of Age-Related Cognitive Dysfunction

Late-life mild cognitive impairment and dementia represent a significant burden on healthcare systems and a unique challenge to medicine due to the currently limited treatment options. Plant phytochemicals have been considered in alternative, or complementary, prevention and treatment strategies. Herbals are consumed as such, or as food supplements, whose consumption has recently increased. However, these products are not exempt from adverse effects and pharmacological interactions, presenting a special risk in aged, polymedicated individuals. Understanding pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic interactions is warranted to avoid undesirable adverse drug reactions, which may result in unwanted side-effects or therapeutic failure. The present study reviews the potential interactions between selected bioactive compounds (170) used by seniors for cognitive enhancement and representative drugs of 10 pharmacotherapeutic classes commonly prescribed to the middle-aged adults, often multimorbid and polymedicated, to anticipate and prevent risks arising from their co-administration. A literature review was conducted to identify mutual targets affected (inhibition/induction/substrate), the frequency of which was taken as a measure of potential interaction. Although a limited number of drugs were studied, from this work, interaction with other drugs affecting the same targets may be anticipated and prevented, constituting a valuable tool for healthcare professionals in clinical practice.

Pharmacokinetics and Excretion of Berberine and Its Nine Metabolites in Rats

Berberine, a well-known alkaloid, has been proved to possess various pharmacological activities. Previous studies demonstrated that berberine could be extensively metabolized and the metabolites also contributed to its therapeutic effects. However, as for berberine’s metabolites, especially phase II metabolites, pharmacokinetics and excretion studies were rarely reported. The objective of this study was to thoroughly investigate the pharmacokinetic and excretion profiles of berberine and its nine metabolites, namely, berberrubine (M1), demethyleneberberine (M2), jatrorrhizine (M3), jatrorrhizine-3-O-β-D-glucuronide (M4), jatrorrhizine-3-O-sulfate (M5), thalfendine-10-O-β-D-glucuronide (M6), berberrubine-9-O-β-D-glucuronide (M7), demethyleneberberine-2-O-sulfate (M8) and demethyleneberberine-2-O-β-D-glucuronide (M9) in rats. An accurate and reliable LC-MS/MS method was developed and validated for the determination of berberine and its nine metabolites in rat biosamples. Pharmacokinetic profiles of berberine and its nine metabolites were obtained after a single intravenous administration (4.0 mg/kg) and oral administration (48.2, 120 or 240 mg/kg) of berberine in rats. For excretion study, rats were intragastrically administered a single dose of 48.2 mg/kg berberine. Our results showed that berberine could be metabolized rapidly and all the nine metabolites could be detected in vivo. The absolute bioavailability of berberine was 0.37 ± 0.11%. As for the AUC_0–48 h values, phase II metabolites were much higher than those of phase I metabolites, suggesting that phase II metabolites were the major metabolites exist in blood circulation. 18.6% of the berberine was excreted in feces as berberrubine (M1). The total recovery of berberine and its nine metabolites from urine, bile and feces was 41.2%. This is the first systematic study about the pharmacokinetics and excretion of berberine and its nine metabolites, which will be beneficial for both better understanding the clinical effects and further development of berberine.

Natural alkaloid 8-oxo-epiberberine inhibited TGF-β1-triggred epithelial-mesenchymal transition by interfering Smad3

Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), the transition of epithelial cells into mesenchymal cells, plays important roles in the metastasis of solid tumors. 8-Oxo-epiberberine (OPB) is a natural alkaloid extracted from the roots of Coptis chinensis Franch. In this study, The effect and the underlying mechanism of OPB on EMT in a TGF-β1-induced model and the inhibitory effect of OPB on lung metastasis were investigated. TGF-β1-stimulated lung cancer cells were co-treated with OPB, the morphological changes were examined. The protein expression of EMT biomarkers E-cadherin and N-cadherin was determined by Western blotting and immunofluorescence. The transcription activity of smad2/3 promoter was analyzed by a luciferase reporter assay. The effect of OPB on cell migration, invasion, and adhesion was detected by wound-healing, adhesion, and transwell assays. The in vivo anti-metastatic effect of OPB was evaluated using a 4 T1 cell xenograft mouse model. Results showed that OPB significantly reversed TGF-β1-triggered morphological changes, expression of EMT biomarkers, and migration, adhesion, and invasion. Furthermore, OPB suppressed TGF-β1-induced Smad2/3 activation, Smad3 phosphorylation and nuclear translocation, and interaction of Smad3 with Smad4. Besides, OPB dramatically decreased the metastatic nodules in the lung without affecting the growth of primary tumors. In conclusion, OPB inhibited TGF-β1-induced EMT possibly by interfering with Smad3. OPB might have therapeutic potentials for the treatment of metastatic cancers.

Huang-Lian Jie-Du decoction: a review on phytochemical, pharmacological and pharmacokinetic investigations

Huang-Lian Jie-Du decoction (HLJDD), a famous traditional Chinese prescription constituted by Rhizoma Coptidis, Radix Scutellariae, Cortex Phellodendri and Fructus Gradeniae, has notable characteristics of dissipating heat and detoxification, interfering with tumors, hepatic diseases, metabolic disorders, inflammatory or allergic processes, cerebral diseases and microbial infections. Based on the wide clinical applications, accumulating investigations about HLJDD focused on several aspects: (1) chemical analysis to explore the underlying substrates responsible for the therapeutic effects; (2) further determination of pharmacological actions and the possible mechanisms of the whole prescription and of those representative ingredients to provide scientific evidence for traditional clinical applications and to demonstrate the intriguing molecular targets for specific pathological processes; (3) pharmacokinetic feature studies of single or all components of HLJDD to reveal the chemical basis and synergistic actions contributing to the pharmacological and clinically therapeutic effects. In this review, we summarized the main achievements of phytochemical, pharmacological and pharmacokinetic profiles of HLJDD and its herbal or pharmacologically active chemicals, as well as our understanding which further reveals the significance of HLJDD clinically.

Mechanism of coralyne-mediated DNA photo-nicking process

Previously, we reported that coralyne and UVA combination sensitized a wide range of human carcinoma cells regardless of their p53 status. The coralyne induced photosensitization of cancer cells may be clinically attractive, as mutation in the p53 gene is prevalent in many types of tumors. Coralyne mediated photosensitization of cancer cells is attributable to its ability to cause extensive DNA single strand breaks (SSB). However, the precise mechanism of coralyne induced DNA photo-damage is not yet known. The present study was aimed to understand the hitherto unknown mechanism of the coralyne-induced DNA photo-cleavage process. To this end, we compared the DNA photo-nicking properties of berberine, jatrorrhizine and coralyne, and deciphered involvement of the photochemical processes in the photo-nuclease action of coralyne using absorption and electron spin resonance spectroscopy, high performance liquid chromatography and mass spectroscopy (MS) techniques in conjunction with relevant in vitro studies with plasmid DNA. In association with UVA, coralyne, but not berberine and jatrorrhizine induced significant nicking of plasmid DNA via an O₂-independent photo-chemical process. The Job's plot of our spectrophotometric data suggested that one coralyne molecule remains intercalated with two DNA base pairs (i. e., 1:2) and starts forming aggregates beyond this molar ratio. The DNA photo-nicking by the combination of coralyne and UVA (designated as CUVA) was primarily caused by the coralyne aggregates without any significant contribution from the DNA-intercalated coralyne monomer.

Alkaloids from the stems and rhizomes of Sinomenium acutum from the Qinling Mountains, China

Thirteen undescribed alkaloids (sinotumines A-M), including five oxoisoaporphine, a benzo[h]quinoline, an aporphine, two protoberberine, two hasubanane, and two proaporphine alkaloids, and 50 known analogues were isolated from the 95% aqueous EtOH extract of the stems and rhizomes of Sinomenium acutum. The structures and absolute configurations of the isolates were elucidated on the basis of comprehensive analysis of 1D and 2D NMR, HRMS, single-crystal X-ray diffraction, and comparison of the experimental and calculated electronic circular dichroism (ECD) data. Sinotumine F, a rare benzo[h]quinoline alkaloid, was speculated as an oxidation product of the oxoisoaporphine alkaloid, and its putative biosynthetic pathway is proposed. Sinotumines L and M are the first samples of proaporphine-based heterodimers coupled with 1-heptanone and coniferol alcohol moiety, respectively. The T-cell suppression and NO inhibition effects of the isolates were evaluated.

Overcoming P-Glycoprotein-Mediated Multidrug Resistance in Colorectal Cancer: Potential Reversal Agents among Herbal Medicines

OBJECTIVES

Multidrug resistance (MDR) is the major reason for the failure of chemotherapy in colorectal cancer (CRC), and the primary determinant of MDR in CRC patients is active drug efflux owing to overexpression of P-glycoprotein (P-gp) in cancer tissues. Despite research efforts to overcome P-gp-mediated drug efflux, the high toxicity of P-gp inhibitors has been a major obstacle for the clinical use of these agents. The aim of this study was to review the literature for potential P-gp reversal agents among traditional herbal medicines, which offer the advantages of safety and potential synergetic effects in CRC chemotherapy.

METHODS

We searched ten databases including 3 English databases, 1 Chinese medical database, and 6 Korean medical databases up to July 2018 and included in vivo and in vitro studies evaluating the effects of herbal medicines as P-gp reversal agents in CRC.

RESULTS

A total of 28 potentially related studies were identified and 16 articles were included. Involving 3 studies about Salvia miltiorrhiza and 2 studies about Curcuma longa, finally we found 14 kinds of traditional herbal medicines-Salvia miltiorrhiza, Curcuma longa, Sinomenium acutum, Stephania tetrandra, Bufo gargarizans, Coptis japonica, Piper nigrum and Piper longum, Hedyotis diffusa, Schisandra chinensis, Glycyrrhiza glabra, Glycyrrhiza inflate, Daphne genkwa, Stemona tuberosa Lour, and Andrographis paniculata-as showing efficacy as P-gp inhibitors in anticancer drug-resistant CRC cells in vitro and in vivo.

CONCLUSIONS

This brief account provides insight into the relationship between P-gp and CRC. Further studies on herbal medicines with demonstrated effects against P-gp overexpression will aid in improving the efficacy of chemotherapy in CRC.

A New Flavonol Glycoside from Millettia pachycarpa

Eight compounds (1-8), including a new flavonol glycoside (1), were isolated from Millettia pachycarpa. Their structures were elucidated based on combination of spectroscopic methods and comparing with data in literatures. Three of them (2, 6 and 8) were obtained from this genus for the first time. Meanwhile, this is also the first time compound 5 has been found from nature. Biological evaluation of all isolates against two cholinesterases (ChEs) is also described.

Natural Products as Alternative Choices for P-Glycoprotein (P-gp) Inhibition

Multidrug resistance (MDR) is regarded as one of the bottlenecks of successful clinical treatment for numerous chemotherapeutic agents. Multiple key regulators are alleged to be responsible for MDR and making the treatment regimens ineffective. In this review, we discuss MDR in relation to P-glycoprotein (P-gp) and its down-regulation by natural bioactive molecules. P-gp, a unique ATP-dependent membrane transport protein, is one of those key regulators which are present in the lining of the colon, endothelial cells of the blood brain barrier (BBB), bile duct, adrenal gland, kidney tubules, small intestine, pancreatic ducts and in many other tissues like heart, lungs, spleen, skeletal muscles, etc. Due to its diverse tissue distribution, P-gp is a novel protective barrier to stop the intake of xenobiotics into the human body. Over-expression of P-gp leads to decreased intracellular accretion of many chemotherapeutic agents thus assisting in the development of MDR. Eventually, the effectiveness of these drugs is decreased. P-gp inhibitors act by altering intracellular ATP levels which are the source of energy and/or by affecting membrane contours to increase permeability. However, the use of synthetic inhibitors is known to cause serious toxicities. For this reason, the search for more potent and less toxic P-gp inhibitors of natural origin is underway. The present review aims to recapitulate the research findings on bioactive constituents of natural origin with P-gp inhibition characteristics. Natural bioactive constituents with P-gp modulating effects offer great potential for semi-synthetic modification to produce new scaffolds which could serve as valuable investigative tools to recognize the function of complex ABC transporters apart from evading the systemic toxicities shown by synthetic counterparts. Despite the many published scientific findings encompassing P-gp inhibitors, however, this article stand alones because it provides a vivid picture to the readers pertaining to Pgp inhibitors obtained from natural sources coupled with their mode of action and structures. It provides first-hand information to the scientists working in the field of drug discovery to further synthesise and discover new P-gp inhibitors with less toxicity and more efficacies.

Pharmacokinetics Studies of 12 Alkaloids in Rat Plasma after Oral Administration of Zuojin and Fan-Zuojin Formulas

Zuojin formula (ZJ) is a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) prescription consisted of Coptidis Rhizoma (CR) and Euodiae Fructus (EF), and has been used to treat gastrointestinal (GI) disease for more than 700 years. Fan-Zuojin formula (FZJ) is a related TCM prescription also consisted of CR and EF with the opposite proportion. In recent years, ZJ was getting more attention for its antitumor potential, but the indeterminate pharmacokinetic (PK) behavior restricted its clinical applications, and the PK differences between ZJ and FZJ were also largely unknown. Consequently it is necessary to carry out a full-scale PK study to demonstrate the physiological disposition of ZJ, as well as the comparative PK study between ZJ and FZJ to illustrate the compatibility dose effects. Therefore a liquid chromatographic–tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) method was established and validated for the determinations of coptisine, epiberberine, palmatine, berberine, 8-oxocoptisine, 8-oxoepiberberine, noroxyhydrastinine, corydaldine, dehydroevodiamine, evodiamine, wuchuyuamide-I, and evocarpine in rat plasma. PK characteristics of 12 alkaloids after oral administration of ZJ and FZJ were compared, and the result was analyzed and discussed with the help of an in silico study. Then an integrated PK study was carried out with the AUC-based weighting method and the total drug concentration method. The established method has been successfully applied to reveal the PK profiles of the 12 alkaloids in rat plasma after oral administration of ZJ and FZJ. The results showed that: (1) double peaks were observed in the plasma concentration-time (C–T) curves of the alkaloids after ZJ administration; but the C–T curves approximately matched the two-compartment model after FZJ administration; (2) There were wide variations in the absorption levels of these alkaloids; and even for a certain alkaloid, the dose modified systemic exposure levels and elimination rate also varied significantly after administration of ZJ and FZJ extracts. The results could be interpreted as follows: firstly, inhibition effect on GI motility caused by the high content CR alkaloids (especially berberine) in ZJ could delay the T_max, and increase the absorption and systemic exposure levels of the other alkaloids, and also lead to the double peak phenomenon of these alkaloids. However, for quaternary protoberberine alkaloids (QPA), double peaks were primarily caused by the different Ka value in two intestinal absorption sites; Secondly, absorption was the major obstacle to the systemic exposure level of the alkaloids from CR and EF. In silico and PK studies suggested that the absorption of these alkaloids, except QPAs, mainly depended on their solubility rather than permeability; Thirdly, EF could promote the absorption and accelerate the elimination of QPAs, and had a greater influence on the former than the latter. At last the integrated PK analysis suggested that berberine and dehydroevodiamine could be regarded as the representative components to reflect the PK behaviors of CR and EF alkaloids after administration of ZJ and FZJ. In conclusion, the absorption, elimination and systemic exposure level of these alkaloids were mainly influenced by the proportion of EF and CR, the pharmacological effect on GI motility, and the physicochemical property of these alkaloids. These findings would be helpful for a better understanding of the activities and clinical applications of ZJ, FZJ and other related TCM prescriptions.

The Zuo Jin Wan Formula Induces Mitochondrial Apoptosis of Cisplatin-Resistant Gastric Cancer Cells via Cofilin-1

Despite the status of cisplatin (DDP) as a classical chemotherapeutic agent in the treatment of cancer, the development of multidrug resistance often leads to a failure of DDP therapy. Here we found that phosphorylated cofilin-1 (p-cofilin-1) was overexpressed in the DDP-resistant human gastric cancer cell lines SGC7901/DDP and BGC823/DDP, relative to the respective parent cell lines (SGC7901 and BGC823), and that DDP induced the dephosphorylation of p-cofilin-1 in both parent lines but not in the DDP-resistant lines. However, we noted that the traditional Chinese medicine formula Zuo Jin Wan (ZJW) could induce the dephosphorylation of p-cofilin-1 and promote cofilin-1 translocation from the cytoplasm into the mitochondria in both SGC7901/DDP and BGC823/DDP cells. This mitochondrial translocation of cofilin-1 was found to induce the conversion of filamentous actin to globular-actin, activate mitochondrial damage and calcium overloading, and induce the mitochondrial apoptosis pathway. We further observed that these effects of ZJW on DDP-resistant human gastric cancer cell lines could be reversed via transfection with cofilin-1-specific siRNA, or treatment with a PP1 and PP2A inhibitor. These results suggest that ZJW is an effective drug therapy for patients with DDP-resistant gastric cancer.

Uncommon presentation of potential medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw

Background

This article presents a patient with potential atypical medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw and reviews related literatures.

Case presentation

A 52-year-old male showed pain in the left buccal area and had numbness on the left lower lip area. He received medications having anti-angiogenic effect for 4 years. He did not receive irradiation of the jaw regions. In histological view, most of the adipocytes were destroyed and disappeared in the scanty vascular marrow tissue, resulting in the replacement of the fatty necrosis with variable sized vacuolated empty spaces. In the immunohistochemistry analysis, the infiltrated macrophages into the marrow stromal tissue were strongly positive for lysozymes. These findings demonstrate that the presented osteonecrosis underwent a chronic and persistent granulomatous inflammatory reaction.

Conclusions

We conclude that the present case might have been caused by anti-angiogenic drug abuse, affecting the reduction of the mandibular marrow vascularity and subsequently inducing fatty necrosis and an extensive osteolytic change of the mandible.

A New Benzylisoquinoline Alkaloid from Leontice altaica

A new benzylisoquinoline alkaloid, lincangenine-4- β -D-glucopyranoside (1), has been isolated from the roots of Leontice altaica, together with 5 known alkaloids. Its structure was elucidated on the basis of D and 2D NMR data, and chemical means.

Protoberberine isoquinoline alkaloids from Arcangelisia gusanlung

HPLC-DAD-directed isolation and purification of the methanol extract of stems of Arcangelisia gusanlung H. S. Lo. led to the isolation of a new protoberberine alkaloid, gusanlung E (1), along with fourteen known derivatives 2-15, seven of which were obtained from the genus Arcangelisia for the first time. The structures and absolute stereochemistry of these compounds were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic analyses, including 1D and 2D NMR, mass spectrometry, and CD analyses. Gusanlung E (1) expressed weak cytotoxic activity against the SGC 7901 cell line with an IC50 value of 85.1 µM.

Zuo Jin Wan reverses P-gp-mediated drug-resistance by inhibiting activation of the PI3K/Akt/NF-κB pathway

BACKGROUND

Zuo-Jin-Wan (ZJW), a traditional Chinese medicine formula, has been identified to be effective against drug resistance in cancer. In the present study, we investigated the effect of ZJW on acquired oxaliplatin-resistant and the PI3K/Akt/NF-κB pathway in vitro.

METHODS

We tested the dose-response relationship of ZJW on reversing drug-resistance by CCK-8 assay and flow cytometry analysis in vitro. The protein expression of P-gp, MRP-2, LRP, and ABCB1 mRNA expression level were evaluated by Western blot and quantitative RT-PCR. The activities of PI3K/Akt/NF-κB pathway were also examined with or without ZJW, including Akt, IκB, p65 and their phosphorylation expression.

RESULTS

We found that ZJW significantly enhanced the sensitivity of chemotherapeutic drugs and increased oxaliplatin (L-OHP)-induced cell apoptosis in a time- and dose-dependent manner. Moreover, both ZJW and a PI3K specific inhibitor (LY294002) suppressed phosphorylation of Akt (Ser473) and NF-κB, which is necessary in the activation of the PI3K/Akt/NF-κB pathway. The effect of ZJW in reversing drug-resistance and suppressing phosphorylation of Akt (Ser473) and NF-κB were weakened after treatment with a PI3K/Akt activator in HCT116/L-OHP cells.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study has provided the first direct evidence that ZJW reverses drug-resistance in human colorectal cancer by blocking the PI3K/Akt/NF-κB signaling pathway, and could be considered as a useful drug for cancer therapy.

New synthetic method of 8-oxocoptisine starting from natural quaternary coptisine as anti-ulcerative colitis agent

Quaternary coptisine (1), a natural bioactive quaternary protoberberine alkaloid (QPA), was treated with potassium ferricyanide in aqueous solution of 5 N sodium hydroxide leading to the acquisition of 8-oxocoptisine (2) with much higher yield than reported in the literature. This is the first report of the oxidation of a natural QPA by applying potassium ferricyanide as an oxidant. 8-Oxocoptisine showed significant anti-ulcerative colitis efficacy in vitro with EC50 value being 8.12 × 10(- 8) M.

Synergistic Effect of Zuo Jin Wan on DDP-Induced Apoptosis in Human Gastric Cancer SGC-7901/DDP Cells

A traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formula, Zuo Jin Wan (ZJW), has been found as an anticancer drug in human cancer. In this study, we investigated the synergistic effect of ZJW extracts on DDP-induced apoptosis in human gastric cancer SGC-7901/DDP cells. Our results demonstrated that ZJW extracts could increase the sensitivity of SGC-7901/DDP cells to DDP by increasing the concentration of DDP in cytoplasm and enhance the proapoptosis of DDP by upregulating the JNK and Bax expression, downregulating the Bcl-2 expression, increasing the accumulation of Cytochrome C in cytoplasm, and promoting the activities of caspase-3 and caspase-9. In vivo, ZJW extracts enhanced the inhibiting effect of DDP on tumor growth in SGC-7901/DDP xenograft model and upregulated the expression of p-JNK and Bax but downregulated the Bcl-2 expression in xenograft tumors. In conclusion, in vitro and in vivo, ZJW extracts could enhance the proapoptotic effect of DDP by promoting the activation of JNK and the expression of Bcl-2, inhibiting the Bax expression, followed by increasing the release of Cytochrome C from mitochondria to cytoplasm, and finally activating the caspase cade reaction. Our results implied that ZJW might serve as a synergistic drug with chemotherapeutic drugs DDP in the treatment of gastric cancer.

Zuo Jin Wan, a Traditional Chinese Herbal Formula, Reverses P-gp-Mediated MDR In Vitro and In Vivo

Zuo Jin Wan (ZJW), a typical traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formula, has been identified to have anticancer activity in recent studies. In this study, we determined the underlying mechanism of ZJW in the reversal effect of multidrug resistance on colorectal cancer in vitro and in vivo. Our results showed that ZJW significantly enhanced the sensitivity of chemotherapeutic drugs in HCT116/L-OHP, SGC7901/DDP, and Bel/Fu MDR cells. Moreover, combination of chemotherapy with ZJW could reverse the drug resistance of HCT116/L-OHP cells, increase the sensitivity of HCT116/L-OHP cells to L-OHP, DDP, 5-Fu, and MMC in vitro, and inhibit the tumor growth in the colorectal MDR cancer xenograft model. ICP-MS results showed that ZJW could increase the concentration of chemotherapeutic drugs in HCT116/L-OHP cells in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, we showed that ZJW could reverse drug resistance of colorectal cancer cells by decreasing P-gp level in vitro and in vivo, which has been represented as one of the major mechanisms that contribute to the MDR phenotype. Our study has provided the first direct evidence that ZJW plays an important role in reversing multidrug resistance of human colorectal cancer and may be considered as a useful target for cancer therapy.

Interaction of herbal compounds with biological targets: a case study with berberine

Berberine is one of the main alkaloids found in the Chinese herb Huang lian (Rhizoma Coptidis), which has been reported to have multiple pharmacological activities. This study aimed to analyze the molecular targets of berberine based on literature data followed by a pathway analysis using the PANTHER program. PANTHER analysis of berberine targets showed that the most classes of molecular functions include receptor binding, kinase activity, protein binding, transcription activity, DNA binding, and kinase regulator activity. Based on the biological process classification of in vitro berberine targets, those targets related to signal transduction, intracellular signalling cascade, cell surface receptor-linked signal transduction, cell motion, cell cycle control, immunity system process, and protein metabolic process are most frequently involved. In addition, berberine was found to interact with a mixture of biological pathways, such as Alzheimer's disease-presenilin and -secretase pathways, angiogenesis, apoptosis signalling pathway, FAS signalling pathway, Hungtington disease, inflammation mediated by chemokine and cytokine signalling pathways, interleukin signalling pathway, and p53 pathways. We also explored the possible mechanism of action for the anti-diabetic effect of berberine. Further studies are warranted to elucidate the mechanisms of action of berberine using systems biology approach.

P-glycoprotein and its inhibition in tumors by phytochemicals derived from Chinese herbs

P-glycoprotein belongs to the family of ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters. It functions in cellular detoxification, pumping a wide range of xenobiotic compounds, including anticancer drugs out of the cell. In cancerous cells, P-glycoprotein confers resistance to a broad spectrum of anticancer agents, a phenomenon termed multidrug resistance. An attractive strategy for overcoming multidrug resistance is to block the transport function of P-glycoprotein and thus increase intracellular concentrations of anticancer drugs to lethal levels. Efforts to identify P-glycoprotein inhibitors have led to numerous candidates, none of which have passed clinical trials with cancer patients due to their high toxicity. The search for naturally inhibitory products from traditional Chinese medicine may be more promising because natural products are frequently less toxic than chemically synthesized substances. In this review, we give an overview of molecular and clinical aspects of P-glycoprotein and multidrug resistance in the context of cancer as well as Chinese herbs and phytochemicals showing inhibitory activity towards P-glycoprotein.

Secondary Metabolites from Plants Inhibiting ABC Transporters and Reversing Resistance of Cancer Cells and Microbes to Cytotoxic and Antimicrobial Agents

Fungal, bacterial, and cancer cells can develop resistance against antifungal, antibacterial, or anticancer agents. Mechanisms of resistance are complex and often multifactorial. Mechanisms include: (1) Activation of ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters, such as P-gp, which pump out lipophilic compounds that have entered a cell, (2) Activation of cytochrome p450 oxidases which can oxidize lipophilic agents to make them more hydrophilic and accessible for conjugation reaction with glucuronic acid, sulfate, or amino acids, and (3) Activation of glutathione transferase, which can conjugate xenobiotics. This review summarizes the evidence that secondary metabolites (SM) of plants, such as alkaloids, phenolics, and terpenoids can interfere with ABC transporters in cancer cells, parasites, bacteria, and fungi. Among the active natural products several lipophilic terpenoids [monoterpenes, diterpenes, triterpenes (including saponins), steroids (including cardiac glycosides), and tetraterpenes] but also some alkaloids (isoquinoline, protoberberine, quinoline, indole, monoterpene indole, and steroidal alkaloids) function probably as competitive inhibitors of P-gp, multiple resistance-associated protein 1, and Breast cancer resistance protein in cancer cells, or efflux pumps in bacteria (NorA) and fungi. More polar phenolics (phenolic acids, flavonoids, catechins, chalcones, xanthones, stilbenes, anthocyanins, tannins, anthraquinones, and naphthoquinones) directly inhibit proteins forming several hydrogen and ionic bonds and thus disturbing the 3D structure of the transporters. The natural products may be interesting in medicine or agriculture as they can enhance the activity of active chemotherapeutics or pesticides or even reverse multidrug resistance, at least partially, of adapted and resistant cells. If these SM are applied in combination with a cytotoxic or antimicrobial agent, they may reverse resistance in a synergistic fashion.

Selective regulation of multidrug resistance protein in vascular smooth muscle cells by the isoquinoline alkaloid coptisine

When the biological activites of hydrophobic drugs or xenobiotics are studied, it is important to clarify their effects on expression and function of multidrug resistance (MDR) protein. We therefore evaluated the effects of coptisine on MDR in comparison with the structurally related isoquinoline alkaloids berberine and palmatine. To achieve this, we investigated the effects of the three alkaloids on the expression and function of P-glycoprotein/MDR1, MDR1 gene products, in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). In A10 cells (a rat VSMC line), coptisine upregulated the mRNAs of Mdr1a and Mdr1b, rodent homologues of human MDR1, and these effects were completely abrogated by actinomycin D. Coptisine also induced Mdr1a/1b protein expression and enhanced the efflux of rhodamine 123 from A10 cells. In contrast, berberine and palmatine slightly upregulated the mRNAs of Mdr1a and Mdr1b, but failed to induce Mdr1a/1b protein expression or stimulate rhodamine 123 efflux. To clarify whether these effects occurred in other cells, the effects of the three alkaloids on Mdr1a/1b function were examined in 3Y1, dRLh-84 and B16 cells. Coptisine and berberine enhanced rhodamine 123 efflux in all three cell types, while palmatine inhibited it, based on the finding that palmatine efficiently activated the Mdr1a ATPase activity as a good substrate for Mdr1a. Therefore, the three isoquinoline alkaloids regulated MDR differently in cell type-specific manners. In particular, only coptisine induced Mdr1a/1b in A10 cells and stimulated rhodamine 123 efflux. Taken together, coptisine appears to exert VSMC-selective effects on Mdr1a/1b induction in contrast to berberine and palmatine.

Different concentrations of berberine result in distinct cellular localization patterns and cell cycle effects in a melanoma cell line

PURPOSE

Natural products represent a rich reservoir of potential small molecule inhibitors exhibiting antiproliferative and tumoricidal properties. An example is the isoquinoline alkaloid berberine, which is found in plants such as goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis). Studies have shown that berberine is able to trigger apoptosis in different malignant cell lines, and can also lead to cell cycle arrest at sub-apoptotic doses. A particularly interesting feature of berberine is the fact that it is a fluorescent molecule, and its uptake and distribution in cells can be studied by flow cytometry and epifluorescence microscopy. To test the relationships between berberine uptake, distribution and cellular effect in melanoma cells, K1735-M2 mouse and WM793 human melanoma cells were treated with different concentrations of berberine, and alterations in cell cycle progression, DNA synthesis, cell proliferation, and cell death measured.

METHODS

Cell proliferation was measured by sulforhodamine B assays, cell death by flow cytometry, berberine uptake and distribution by laser scanning confocal microscopy and flow cytometry, cell cycle progression by flow cytometry, and DNA synthesis, M-phase, and mitochondrial effects by immunolabeling and epifluorescence microscopy methods.

RESULTS

In these melanoma cell lines, berberine at low doses (12.5-50 muM) is concentrated in mitochondria and promotes G1 arrest. In contrast, higher doses (over 50 muM) result in cytoplasmic and nuclear berberine accumulation, and G2 arrest. DNA synthesis is not markedly affected by low doses of berberine, but 100 muM is strongly inhibitory. Even at 100 muM, berberine inhibits cell growth with relatively little induction of apoptosis.

CONCLUSION

Berberine displays multiphasic effects in these malignant cell lines, which are correlated with the concentration and intracellular distribution of this alkaloid. These results help explain some of the conflicting information in the literature regarding the effects of berberine, and suggest that its use in clinical development may be more as a cytostatic agent than a cytotoxic compound.