Crystal structure and chemotherapeutic efficacy of the novel compound, gallium tetrachloride betaine, against breast cancer using nanotechnology

pH-responsive albumin-coated biopolymeric nanoparticles with lapatinab for targeted breast cancer therapy

One can enhance the therapeutic index of anti-cancer drugs using albumin as a tumor homing agent for targeted cancer therapy. Herein, we sought to load lapatinib (LAPA) into small albumin-coated biopolymeric (poly-lactic co-glycolic acid (PLGA)) nanoparticles (APL NPs) by an emulsification method to improve the anti-tumor efficacy of lapatinib. The prepared APL NPs exhibited a small spherical core with an average diameter of 120.5 ± 10.2 nm with a narrow particle size distribution, high drug loading capacity (LC of 9.65 ± 1.53 %), good entrapment efficiency (EE of 75.55 ± 3.25 %), enhanced colloidal stability and a pH-responsive controlled drug release profile. Their cell-uptake and cancer cell growth inhibition were significantly higher compared to free LAPA and uncoated PLGA-LAPA (UPL) NPs, most likely because aggressive breast tumor cells over-express albumin receptors and utilize albumin as nutrient source for their growth. In addition, APL NPs possessed enhanced tumor accumulation and prolonged blood residence time compared to free LAPA and UPL NPs, allowing for potent tumor growth inhibition while exhibiting excellent biosafety. In short, the current study exploited a new and simple strategy to concurrently improve the safety and efficacy of LAPA for breast cancer treatment.

Regulation of Sirtuin-3 and ERK1/2/p38MAPK by the combination Ga nanoparticles/γ-radiation low dosage: an effective approach for treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma

Background

Synthesized gallium nanoparticles synthesized by grape seed extract were characterized with spherical shape and size range less than100 nm, possessing the functional groups of the biological material. The purpose of this study is to evaluate gallium nanoparticles synthesized by grape seed extract, as an antitumor agent with low dose of γ-radiation against hepatocellular carcinoma in rats.

Aim of work

This work aimed to evaluate the antitumor effect of gallium nanoparticles synthesized (GaNPs) by grape seed extract and the co-binded treatment with low dose of γ-radiation on hepatocellular carcinoma in rats, through evaluating their effect on signaling pathways and tumor markers.

Results

Cytotoxic activity of GaNPs synthesized by grape seed extract was estimated by mediated cytotoxicity assay on HepG2 cell line that recorded IC₅₀ of 388.8 μg/ml. To achieve these goals, eighty Wistar male rats (120−150 g) will be divided into eight groups, each of 10 rats. The animals are administered with diethylnitrosamine to induce hepatocellular carcinoma and then orally administered with GaNPs synthesized by grape seed extract (38.5 mg/kg) in combination with the exposure of the total body to a low dose of γ-radiation (0.5 Gy). The treatment modulated plasma vascular endothelial growth factor and alpha-fetoprotein. In addition, the immunoblotting results of nuclear factor-kappa beta showed a marked downregulation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase, mitogen-activated protein kinase, and c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase alongside, significantly elevating the level of Sirtuin-3 and caspase-3.

Conclusions

It can be concluded that the combined treatment with GaNPs synthesized by grape seed extract and low dose γ-radiation may have antineoplastic activity against hepatocarcinogenesis by inhibiting signal pathways extracellular signal-regulated kinase/mitogen-activated protein kinase/c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase and stimulating apoptotic protein.

In vivo, in vitro and in silico anticancer investigation of fullerene C60 on DMBA induced breast cancer in rats

AIMS

The aim of the study was to determine the protective and therapeutic effect of fullerene C₆₀ nanoparticle on DMBA-induced breast cancer in rats.

MAIN METHODS

In vitro cell viability was determined by the WST-1 test. In vivo analysis was performed in female Wistar Albino rats. The expression of caspase-3, Bcl-2, Nrf-2, NF-κB, TNF-α, COX-2, p53, IL-6, IL-1α ve p38α (MAPK) proteins were assessed by western blotting. Furthermore, malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), catalase activity (CAT), total protein levels and DNA damage were investigated. In addition, tissues were evaluated by histopathologically. In in silico analysis, the binding affinities of the fullerene C₆₀ nanoparticle to transcription factors such as caspase-3, Bcl-2, Nrf-2, NF-κB, TNF-α, COX-2, VEGF and Akt were demonstrated by molecular docking.

KEY FINDINGS

Treatment of MCF-7 cells at various concentrations of fullerene C₆₀ (0.1 to 100 mg/ml) inhibited cell viability in a dose dependent manner. Fullerene C₆₀ treated rats exhibited considerable increase in the level of caspase-3 while decrease in the level of pro-survival protein Bcl-2. Bcl-2, NF-κB, TNF-α, COX-2, IL-6, IL-1α and p38α (MAPK) protein expression levels and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were decreased in the C₆₀ + DMBA groups compared to the DMBA group. It was observed that caspase-3, Nrf-2 and p53 protein expression levels, glutathione (GSH) level, catalase activities (CAT) and total protein levels increased significantly which was further confirmed through the resulting DNA fragmentation.

SIGNIFICANCE

In silico assays, fullerene C₆₀ has been observed to have similar affinity to some crystal ligands, especially against cancer.

Antitumor and Antibacterial Efficacy of Gallium Nanoparticles Coated by Ellagic Acid

Cancer is a mortality contributor worldwide, and breast cancer is the most common among women. Despite the numerous breast cancer therapeutic strategies, they either have limitations or sometimes are resisted by cancer, so new approaches are needed to tackle those restrictions. Nanotechnology offers exciting leaps in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer, especially breast cancer. The main objective of this study was to investigate the effect of the newly synthesized gallium nanoparticles coated by Ellagic acid (EA-GaNPs) on the induced mammary gland carcinogenesis in female rats and their antibacterial activities comparison with standard antibiotics (Ketoconazole (100 μg/ml) and Gentamycin (4 μg/ml)) by disc diffusion method using eight different microbial species. The antitumor efficacy of EA-GaNPs was conducted both in vitro and in in vivo. The result of antimicrobial activity of EA-Ga NPs (1 mg/1 mL) revealed moderate toxicity behavior against Gram-positive {Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus cereus) and Gram-negative pathogenic bacteria {Escherichia coli, Proteus vulgarfs) also, antifungal activity was detected against {Aspergillus terreus). In vitro study showed that EA-GaNPs inhibited human breast cancer cell line (MCF-7) proliferation with IC50 of 2.86 μg/ml. Although in vivo; the administration of EA-GaNPs to DMBA-treated rats ameliorated the hyperplastic state of mammary gland carcinogenesis induced by DMBA. Additionally, EA-GaNPs administration significantly modulated the activities of ALT and AST, as well as the levels of urea and creatinine in serum. Also, EA-GaNPs administration improved the antioxidant state by increasing Superoxide dismutase activity and GSH content, and decreasing malondialdehyde content in the mammary tissue, besides enhancing the apoptotic activity through elevating the levels of caspase-3 and decreasing the protein intensities of protein kinase B & phosphatidyl inositide 3-kinases. Furthermore, a significant decrease in serum Total iron-binding capacity accompanied by a significant increase in the level of calcium was noted. So, it can be concluded that the newly synthesized nanoparticles EA-GaNPs have an efficient antitumor activity that was manifested by reduction of the viability on the human breast cancer cell line (MCF-7) in vitro. Also, in vivo against the chemically induced mammary gland carcinogenesis in a female rat model. Histopathological findings were in harmony with biochemical and molecular results showing the effectiveness of EA-GaNPs against mammary carcinogenesis. Therefore, EA-GaNPs could be a promising, potent anti-cancer compound.

Rationale for Tailoring an Alternative Oncology Trial Using a Novel Gallium-Based Nanocomplex: Mechanistic Insights and Preclinical Challenges

Introduction: In the fight against cancer, cisplatin is most widely used as a clinical mainstay for the chemotherapy of various human cancers. Meanwhile, its cytotoxic profile, as well as drug resistance, limits its widespread application. The goal of precision medicine is to tailor an optimized therapeutic program based on the biology of the disease. Recently, nanotechnology has been demonstrated to be promising in this scenario. Objective: The current work provides a rationale for the design of an alternative oncology trial for the treatment of hepatocarcinogenesis using a novel eco-friendly nanocomplex, namely gallic acid-coated gallium nanoparticles. Moreover, the study tests whether the antineoplastic efficacy of gallic acid-coated gallium nanoparticles could be enhanced or not when it is administrated together with cisplatin. Methods: The work comprised a series of both in vitro and in vivo investigations. The in vivo therapeutic efficacy of such treatments, against diethylnitrosamine-induced hepatocarcinogenesis, was strictly evaluated by tracking target genes expressions, iron homeostasis, diverse biomarkers alterations, and lastly, routine paraclinical investigations were also assessed. Results: The in vitro biological evaluation of gallic acid-coated gallium nanoparticles in a HepG-2 cancer cell line established its superior cytotoxicity. Else more, the results of the in vivo experiment highlighted that gallic acid-coated gallium nanoparticles could diminish key hallmarks of cancer by ameliorating most of the investigated parameters. This was well-appreciated with the histopathological findings of the liver architectures of the treated groups. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that novel biogenic Ga-based nanocomplexes may potentially present new hope for the development of alternative liver cancer therapeutics, which should attract further scientific interest.

Synthesis, crystal structure and antiproliferative mechanisms of gallium(iii) complexes with benzoylpyridine thiosemicarbazones

We have prepared six thiosemicarbazone ligands and synthesized the corresponding Ga(iii) complexes. The antitumor activity of the ligand increases with its lipophilicity, and the antitumor activity of the Ga(iii) complexes is affected by the ligands. Since C6 has the highest anticancer proliferative activity (0.14 ± 0.01 μM) against HepG-2 (Human hepatocarcinoma cell line), we characterized its structure by X-ray single crystal diffraction and explored its antiproliferation mechanism. Anti-tumor mechanism results show that Ga(iii) complex (C6) promoted HepG-2 cell cycle arrest in the G1 phase by regulating the expression of cell cycle-associated proteins (Cdk 2, cyclin A and cyclin E). Ga(iii) complex (C6) promotes apoptosis by consuming intracellular iron, enhancing intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), activating caspase-3/9, releasing cytochromes and apoptotic protease activating factor-1 (apaf-1).

Yulangsan polysaccharide inhibits 4T1 breast cancer cell proliferation and induces apoptosis in vitro and in vivo

Yulangsan polysaccharide (YLSPS) is derived from the root of Millettia pulchra (Benth.) Kurz var. Recent studies have postulated YLSPS as a regimen for cancer treatment. However, the underlying mechanism anti-breast cancer is still poorly unknown. The aim of this study was to examine the suppressive and apoptosis effect of YLSPS on the growth of breast cancer cell 4T1 and its possible underlying mechanism. In this study, breast cancer cell 4T1 viability and apoptosis were assessed by CCK-8 and flow cytometry, relative quantitative real-time PCR and western blot after treated with drug-serum of YLSPS. Furthermore, therapy experiments were conducted using a Balb/c mouse transplanted tumor model of breast cancer. The number of apoptotic cells and microvascular density (MVD) in the tumor tissues were assessed by TUNEL and CD34 immunostaining. Immunohistochemical assays and ELISA were used to detect the expression of VEGF, Bcl-2, Bax and Caspase-3 in the tissues. The in vitro studies showed that the drug-serum of YLSPS significantly inhibition of proliferation and effectively induced apoptosis of 4T1 cells. Oral administration of YLSPS in the breast cancer models significantly reduced the tumor volume and weight. The enhanced antitumor efficacy was associated with decreased angiogenesis, an enhanced antioxidant capacity, an increased induction of apoptosis and an inhibition of lung metastasis. These findings indicate that YLSPS significantly inhibited mouse breast cancer growth in vitro and in vivo. These data suggest that YLSPS may serve as a potential therapeutic agent for breast cancer.

Designing anticancer copper(II) complexes by optimizing 2-pyridine-thiosemicarbazone ligands

To develop potential next-generation metal anticancer agents, we designed and synthesised five Cu(II) 2-pyridine-thiosemicarbazone complexes by modifying the hydrogen atom at the N-4 position of ligands, and then investigated their structure-activity relationships and anticancer mechanisms. Modification of the N-4 position with different groups caused significant differences in cellular uptake and produced superior antitumor activity. Cu complexes arrested the cell cycle at S phase, leading to down-regulation of levels of cyclin and cyclin-dependent kinases and up-regulation of expression of cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors. Cu complexes exerted chemotherapeutic effects via activating p53 and inducing production of reactive oxygen species to regulate expression of the B-cell lymphoma-2 family of proteins, causing a change in the mitochondrial membrane potential and release of cytochrome c to form a dimer with apoptosis protease activating factor-1, resulting in activation of caspase-9/3 to induce apoptosis. In addition, Cu complexes inhibited telomerase by down-regulating the c-myc regulator gene and expression of the human telomerase reverse transcriptase.

Anticancer redox activity of gallium nanoparticles accompanied with low dose of gamma radiation in female mice

Guided treatments with nanoparticles and radiotherapy are a new approach in cancer therapy. This study evaluated the beneficial antitumor effects of γ-radiation together with gallium nanoparticles against solid Ehrlich carcinoma in female mice. Gallium nanoparticles were biologically synthesized using Lactobacillus helveticus cells. Transmission electron microscopy showed gallium nanoparticles with size range of 8-20 nm. In vitro study of gallium nanoparticles on MCF-7 revealed IC₅₀ of 8.0 μg. Gallium nanoparticles (0.1 mg/kg body weight) were injected intraperitoneally daily on the seventh day of Ehrlich carcinoma cells inoculation. Whole-body γ-radiation was carried out at a single dose of 0.25 Gy on eighth day after tumor inoculation. Biochemical analysis showed that solid Ehrlich carcinoma induced a significant increase in alanine aminotransferase activity and creatinine level in serum, calcium, and iron concentrations in liver tissue compared to normal control. Treatment of Ehrlich carcinoma-bearing mice with gallium nanoparticles and/or low dose of γ-radiation exposure significantly reduced tumor volume, decreased alanine aminotransferase and creatinine levels in serum, increased lipid peroxidation, and decreased glutathione content as well as calcium and iron concentrations in liver and tumor tissues with intense DNA fragmentation accompanied compared to untreated tumor cells. Moreover, mitochondria in the treated groups displayed a significant increase in Na+/K+-ATPase, complexes II and III with significant reduction in CYP450 gene expression, which may indicate a synergistic effect of gallium nanoparticles and/or low dose of γ-radiation combination against Ehrlich carcinoma injury, and this results were well appreciated with the histopathological findings in the tumor tissue. We conclude that combined treatment of gallium nanoparticles and low dose of gamma-radiation resulted in suppressive induction of cytotoxic effects on cancer cells.

Novel 2-pyridinecarboxaldehyde thiosemicarbazones Ga(III) complexes with a high antiproliferative activity by promoting apoptosis and inhibiting cell cycle

Two types of 2-pyridinecarboxaldehyde thiosemicarbazones Ga(III) complexes, which are 2:1 and 1:1 ligand/Ga(III) complexes, were synthesized and determined by X-ray single crystal diffraction. The antiproliferative activity of these Ga(III) complexes have been examined to illuminate the structure-activity relationships essential to form Ga(III) complexes with remarkable anticancer activity. In addition, Ga(III) complexes where the metal/ligand ratio was 1:1 (C4) had observably higher antiproliferative activity than 1:2 (C3). Ga(III) complexes caused a marked increase of caspase-3 and 9 activity in NCI-H460 cells compared to the metal free ligand. Caspase activation was somewhat mediated by the release of Cyt C from mitochondria after incubation with selected agents. Both types of Ga(III) complexes showed more effective in inhibition of the G1/S transition than the ligand alone.

A new gallium complex inhibits tumor cell invasion and matrix metalloproteinase MMP-14 expression and activity

In this study, we investigated the effect of [N-(5-chloro-2-hydroxyphenyl)-l-aspartato] chlorogallate (GS2) on tumor cell invasion and on the expression and activity of MMPs.

Biological study of the effect of water soluble [N-(2-hydroxybenzyl)-L-aspartato] gallium complexes on breast carcinoma and fibrosarcoma cells

Two water soluble gallium complexes described as [Ga(III)LCl], where L is the deprotonated form of N-2-hydroxybenzyl aspartic acid derivatives, were synthesized and characterized by (1)H NMR, (13)C NMR, FT-IR, mass spectrometry, and elemental analysis. The 2-(5-chloro-2-hydroxybenzylamino)succinic acid derivative (GS2) has been found to be a promising anticancer drug candidate. This compound was found to be more cytotoxic against human breast carcinoma MDA-MB231 and fibrosarcoma HT-1080 cell lines than the unsubstituted derivative and GaCl3. GS2 was able to induce apoptosis through downregulation of AKT phosphorylation, G2M arrest in cell cycle, and caspase 3/7 pathway. This gallium complex was found to induce an increase in mitochondrial ROS level in HT-1080 cells but not in MDA-MB231 cells. This suggests that the mechanism of action of GS2 would not be mediated by the drug-induced oxidative stress but probably by directly and indirectly inhibiting the AKT cell-signaling pathway.