A high-throughput cell-based toxicity analysis of drug metabolites using flow cytometry

Characterization of in vitro metabolism of focal adhesion kinase inhibitors by LC/MS/MS

Focal adhesion kinase (FAK), a non-receptor tyrosine kinase, is critically involved in cell migration, spreading and proliferation at the early step of various cancers. Small molecule inhibitors of FAK are effective to inhibit its activation in the process of tumor formation in cell. To better understand biotransformation of FAK inhibitors, this work has investigated in vitro phase I metabolism of inhibitors (namely PF-573228, PF-562271 and PF-03814735) by rat liver microsomes model. Using liquid chromatography - quadrupole time of flight mass spectrometry and tandem mass spectrometry (LC/Q-TOF/MS and MS/MS), three metabolites of PF-573228 and PF-562271 were observed and characterized, respectively. These in vitro metabolites were reported for the first time. The structures and fragmentation patterns of these metabolites were elucidated, and phase I metabolic pathways for FAK inhibitors were proposed. The main metabolic pathways of PF-573228 were hydroxylation, dehydrogenation and N-dealkylation. For PF-562271, they were hydroxylation and dehydrogenation. Hydroxylation was observed as the primary metabolism for PF-0381473.

Hepatic metabolism: a key component of herbal drugs research

Liver is the largest metabolic organ for a wide range of endogenous and exogenous compounds and plays a crucial part in the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics through various metabolic reactions. This review provides a progressive description of hepatic metabolism of herbal drugs with respect to metabolic types and investigational methods. In addition, the problems encountered during the research process are discussed.

Hsp90 inhibitors as new leads to target parasitic diarrheal diseases

Entamoeba histolytica and Giardia lamblia are anaerobic protozoan parasites that cause amebiasis and giardiasis, two of the most common diarrheal diseases worldwide. Current therapy relies on metronidazole, but resistance has been reported and the drug has significant adverse effects. Therefore, it is critical to search for effective, better-tolerated antiamebic and antigiardial drugs. We synthesized several examples of a recently reported class of Hsp90 inhibitors and evaluated these compounds as potential leads for antiparasitic chemotherapy. Several of these inhibitors showed strong in vitro activity against both E. histolytica and G. lamblia trophozoites. The inhibitors were rescreened to discriminate between amebicidal and giardicidal activity and general cytotoxicity toward a mammalian cell line. No mammalian cytotoxicity was found at >100 μM for 48 h for any of the inhibitors. To understand the mechanism of action, a competitive binding assay was performed using the fluorescent ATP analogue bis-ANS (4,4'-dianilino-1,1'-binaphthyl-5,5'-disulfonic acid dipotassium salt) and recombinant E. histolytica Hsp90 preincubated in both the presence and absence of Hsp90 inhibitors. There was significant reduction in fluorescence compared to the level in the control, suggesting that E. histolytica Hsp90 is a selective target. The in vivo efficacy and safety of one Hsp90 inhibitor in a mouse model of amebic colitis and giardiasis was demonstrated by significant inhibition of parasite growth at a single oral dose of 5 mg/kg of body weight/day for 7 days and 10 mg/kg/day for 3 days. Considering the results for in vitro activity and in vivo efficacy, Hsp90 inhibitors represent a promising therapeutic option for amebiasis and giardiasis.

Assessment of compound hepatotoxicity using human plateable cryopreserved hepatocytes in a 1536-well-plate format

Hepatotoxicity is a major concern for both drug development and toxicological evaluation of environmental chemicals. The assessment of compound-induced hepatotoxicity has traditionally relied on in vivo testing; however, it is being replaced by human in vitro models due to an emphasis on the reduction of animal testing and species-specific differences. Since most cell lines and hybridomas lack the full complement of enzymes at physiological levels found in the liver, primary hepatocytes are the gold standard to study liver toxicities in vitro due to the retention of most of their in vivo activities. Here, we optimized a cell viability assay using plateable cryopreserved human hepatocytes in a 1536-well-plate format. The assay was validated by deriving inhibitory concentration at 50% values for 12 known compounds, including tamoxifen, staurosporine, and phenylmercuric acetate, with regard to hepatotoxicity and general cytotoxicity using multiple hepatocyte donors. The assay performed well, and the cytotoxicity of these compounds was confirmed in comparison to HepG2 cells. This is the first study to report the reliability of using plateable cryopreserved human hepatocytes for cytotoxicity studies in a 1536-well-plate format. These results suggest that plateable cryopreserved human hepatocytes can be scaled up for screening a large compound library and may be amenable to other hepatocytic assays such as metabolic or drug safety studies.

Cytotoxic properties of Diospyros seychellarum extract

During a recent botanical expedition in the Seychelles archipelago we identified healers using Diospyros seychellarum as a tonic. Since this plant lacks any medicinal record in the current literature, we assessed the cytotoxic potential of D. seychellarum. Using Jurkat cells as a model system we show, by flow cytometry, that treatment with the leaf extract results in mitochondrial depolarization and subsequent loss of cellular membrane integrity. Additionally, by transmission electron microscopy, we show that treatment with the extract results in chromatin condensation, mitochondrial swelling, and loss of nuclear membrane integrity. Through these morphological and biochemical observations we concluded that the extract of Diospyros seychellarum is able to induce apoptosis. While it is difficult to extrapolate a potential pharmacologic function based on the ethnomedical use as a tonic, the ability of this extract to induce apoptosis warrants further investigation of the medicinal properties of this plant.

A randomized Phase I study of Atuna racemosa: a potential new anti-MRSA natural product extract

AIM

We previously reported significant antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive bacteria from the extract of the Atun tree (Atuna racemosa), identified through rapid digital bioprospecting of a 400-year-old historic herbal text. Toxicity studies in human cell lines showing safety, combined with the ethnomedical descriptions of botanical use, suggested that this extract might be clinically useful against topical Gram-positive bacteria infections.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Using a minimal inhibitory concentration assay, we examined the susceptibility of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) to an extract of the kernel of the Atun tree (Atuna racemosa). Additionally, a maximum tolerated topical application of the extract was determined in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot clinical trial.

RESULTS

Here we report that the effectiveness of this Atuna racemosa extract against MRSA (MIC=16-32microg/mL) is on par with currently available last-line antibiotics, while it remains well tolerated in short-term topical applications of 10 times the minimally inhibitory concentration.

CONCLUSIONS

Although further studies are needed to determine safety and clinical efficacy, this effective extract, identified in a 400-year-old historic herbal text, may prove to be clinically useful in the treatment of MRSA.

Aloin induces apoptosis in Jurkat cells

Aloe is widely used as a dietary supplement. However, there are continuing concerns over the toxicity and the purity of aloe-based products. The primary class of compounds responsible for aloe-induced toxicity are anthraquinones. One of these, aloe-emodin, has been extensively investigated for apoptosis inducing effects. Conversely, the precursor to aloe-emodin, aloin, has been subjected to only minimal investigation of any cytotoxic effects. Jurkat T cells, an established model for the study of compound toxicity, were used to evaluate the effect of aloin on cell viability. Cells were analyzed using flow cytometry and microscopy for cell size and granularity, cell membrane integrity, mitochondrial membrane potential, and cell cycle profile. Treatment with aloin resulted in a reduction in cell size, compromised membrane integrity, and loss of mitochondrial membrane potential in a dose-dependent manner. Additionally, treatment with aloin resulted in alteration of the cell cycle, specifically a block at G2/M phase. Importantly, the loss of cell membrane integrity was preceded by a loss of mitochondrial membrane potential, suggesting a mitochondrial-dependent pathway for aloin-induced apoptosis. These observations provide insight into the potential mechanisms of aloin-induced toxicity and thus, perhaps, aloe preparation-induced toxicity. Furthermore, because of the concern over the safety of aloe-based supplements, this work suggests that aloe supplements not containing aloin may be safer than aloe supplements containing aloin, and that aloin should be considered in addition to concentrations of aloe-emodin.