1
|
He B, Zhu Z, Chen F, Zhang R, Chen W, Zhang T, Wang T, Lei J. Synthesis and antitumor potential of new arylidene ursolic acid derivatives via caspase-8 activation. Arch Pharm (Weinheim) 2021; 354:e2000448. [PMID: 33646592 DOI: 10.1002/ardp.202000448] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2020] [Revised: 01/22/2021] [Accepted: 01/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Continuing our studies on NO-donating ursolic acid-benzylidene derivatives as potential antitumor agents, we designed and synthesized a series of new arylidene derivatives containing NO-donating ursolic acid and aromatic heterocyclic units. Compounds 5c and 6c showed a significant broad-spectrum antitumor activity. Compound 5c exhibited nearly three- to nine-fold higher cytotoxicity as compared with the parent drug in A549, MCF-7, HepG-2, HT-29, and HeLa cells, and it was also found to be the most potent apoptosis inducer of MCF-7 cells. More importantly, compound 5c arrested the MCF-7 cell cycle in the G1 phase, which was associated with caspase activation and a decrease of the Bcl-2/Bax ratio. Meanwhile, compound 5c caused changes in morphological features, dissipation of the mitochondrial membrane potential, and accumulation of reactive oxygen species. A docking study revealed that the nitroxyethyl moiety of compound 5c may form hydrogen bonds with caspase-8 amino acid residues (SER256 and HIS255). Together, these data suggest that NO-donating ursolic acid-arylidene derivatives are potent apoptosis inducers in tumor cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Baoen He
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zuchang Zhu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Fenglian Chen
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Rong Zhang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Weiqiang Chen
- School of Nursing, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Te Zhang
- Department of Research and Development, Shanghai Hequan Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Shanghai, China
| | - Tao Wang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jiamei Lei
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Ngowi EE, Afzal A, Sarfraz M, Khattak S, Zaman SU, Khan NH, Li T, Jiang QY, Zhang X, Duan SF, Ji XY, Wu DD. Role of hydrogen sulfide donors in cancer development and progression. Int J Biol Sci 2021; 17:73-88. [PMID: 33390834 PMCID: PMC7757040 DOI: 10.7150/ijbs.47850] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2020] [Accepted: 10/22/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
In recent years, a vast number of potential cancer therapeutic targets have emerged. However, developing efficient and effective drugs for the targets is of major concern. Hydrogen sulfide (H2S), one of the three known gasotransmitters, is involved in the regulation of various cellular activities such as autophagy, apoptosis, migration, and proliferation. Low production of H2S has been identified in numerous cancer types. Treating cancer cells with H2S donors is the common experimental technique used to improve H2S levels; however, the outcome depends on the concentration/dose, time, cell type, and sometimes the drug used. Both natural and synthesized donors are available for this purpose, although their effects vary independently ranging from strong cancer suppressors to promoters. Nonetheless, numerous signaling pathways have been reported to be altered following the treatments with H2S donors which suggest their potential in cancer treatment. This review will analyze the potential of H2S donors in cancer therapy by summarizing key cellular processes and mechanisms involved.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ebenezeri Erasto Ngowi
- Henan International Joint Laboratory for Nuclear Protein Regulation, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, Henan 475004, China
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, Dar es Salaam University College of Education, Dar es Salaam 2329, Tanzania
- Kaifeng Municipal Key Laboratory of Cell Signal Transduction, Henan Provincial Engineering Centre for Tumor Molecular Medicine, Henan University, Kaifeng, Henan 475004, China
| | - Attia Afzal
- Henan International Joint Laboratory for Nuclear Protein Regulation, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, Henan 475004, China
- Faculty of Pharmacy, The University of Lahore, Lahore, Punjab 56400, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Sarfraz
- Henan International Joint Laboratory for Nuclear Protein Regulation, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, Henan 475004, China
- Kaifeng Municipal Key Laboratory of Cell Signal Transduction, Henan Provincial Engineering Centre for Tumor Molecular Medicine, Henan University, Kaifeng, Henan 475004, China
- Faculty of Pharmacy, The University of Lahore, Lahore, Punjab 56400, Pakistan
| | - Saadullah Khattak
- Henan International Joint Laboratory for Nuclear Protein Regulation, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, Henan 475004, China
- School of Life Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, Henan 475004, China
| | - Shams Uz Zaman
- Henan International Joint Laboratory for Nuclear Protein Regulation, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, Henan 475004, China
- School of Life Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, Henan 475004, China
| | - Nazeer Hussain Khan
- Henan International Joint Laboratory for Nuclear Protein Regulation, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, Henan 475004, China
- School of Life Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, Henan 475004, China
| | - Tao Li
- Henan International Joint Laboratory for Nuclear Protein Regulation, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, Henan 475004, China
| | - Qi-Ying Jiang
- Henan International Joint Laboratory for Nuclear Protein Regulation, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, Henan 475004, China
| | - Xin Zhang
- Institute for Innovative Drug Design and Evaluation, School of Pharmacy, Henan University, Kaifeng, Henan 475004, China
| | - Shao-Feng Duan
- Henan International Joint Laboratory for Nuclear Protein Regulation, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, Henan 475004, China
- Institute for Innovative Drug Design and Evaluation, School of Pharmacy, Henan University, Kaifeng, Henan 475004, China
| | - Xin-Ying Ji
- Henan International Joint Laboratory for Nuclear Protein Regulation, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, Henan 475004, China
- Kaifeng Key Laboratory of Infection and Biological Safety, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, Henan 475004, China
| | - Dong-Dong Wu
- Henan International Joint Laboratory for Nuclear Protein Regulation, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, Henan 475004, China
- School of Stomatology, Henan University, Kaifeng, Henan 475004, China
| |
Collapse
|