Synthesis and anti-tumor activity evaluation of Matijin-Su derivatives

A novel L-phenylalanine dipeptide inhibits prostate cancer cell proliferation by targeting TNFSF9

In the present study, a series of novel L-phenylalanine dipeptides were designed and synthesized by a multi-step sequence of reactions, including carbodiimide-mediated condensation, hydrolysis, mixed anhydride condensation, and nucleophilic substitution. Among them, compound 7c exhibited potent antitumor activity against prostate cancer cell PC3 in vitro and in vivo via inducing apoptosis. We investigated the significantly differentially expressed proteins in the cells caused by the compound 7c to unravel the molecular mechanisms underlying the regulation of PCa cell growth, which indicated that 7c mainly regulated the protein expression of apoptosis-related transcription factors, including c-Jun, IL6, LAMB3, OSMR, STC1, OLR1, SDC4 and PLAU; and 7c also regulated the protein expression of inflammatory cytokines including IL6, CXCL8, TNFSF9, TNFRSF12A and OSMR, and the phosphorylation levels of RelA. The action target confirmed that TNFSF9 protein is the critical binding target of 7c. These findings suggested that 7c could regulate the apoptosis and inflammatory response related signaling pathways for the inhibition of the proliferation of PC3 cells, implying that 7c could be considered a promising therapeutic candidate for PCa therapy.

A Novel L-Phenylalanine Dipeptide Inhibits the Growth and Metastasis of Prostate Cancer Cells via Targeting DUSP1 and TNFSF9

Prostate cancer (PCa) is a common malignant cancer of the urinary system. Drug therapy, chemotherapy, and radical prostatectomy are the primary treatment methods, but drug resistance and postoperative recurrence often occur. Therefore, seeking novel anti-tumor compounds with high efficiency and low toxicity from natural products can produce a new tumor treatment method. Matijin-Su [N-(N-benzoyl-L-phenylalanyl)-O-acetyl-L-phenylalanol, MTS] is a phenylalanine dipeptide monomer compound that is isolated from the Chinese ethnic medicine Matijin (Dichondra repens Forst.). Its derivatives exhibit various pharmacological activities, especially anti-tumor. Among them, the novel MTS derivative HXL131 has a significant inhibitory effect against prostate tumor growth and metastasis. This study is designed to investigate the effects of HXL131 on the growth and metastasis of human PCa cell lines PC3 and its molecular mechanism through in vitro experiments combined with proteomics, molecular docking, and gene silencing. The in vitro results showed that HXL131 concentration dependently inhibited PC3 cell proliferation, induced apoptosis, arrested cell cycle at the G2/M phase, and inhibited cell migration capacity. A proteomic analysis and a Western blot showed that HXL131 up-regulated the expression of proliferation, apoptosis, cell cycle, and migration-related proteins CYR61, TIMP1, SOD2, IL6, SERPINE2, DUSP1, TNFSF9, OSMR, TNFRSF10D, and TNFRSF12A. Molecular docking, a cellular thermal shift assay (CETSA), and gene silencing showed that HXL131 had a strong binding affinity with DUSP1 and TNFSF9, which are important target genes for inhibiting the growth and metastasis of PC3 cells. This study demonstrates that HXL131 exhibited excellent anti-prostate cancer activity and inhibited the growth and metastasis of prostate cancer cells by regulating the expression of DUSP1 and TNFSF9.

Dichondra repens J.R.Forst. and G.Forst.: A Review of Its Traditional Uses, Chemistry, Pharmacology, Toxicology and Applications

Ethnopharmacology relevance:Dichondra repens J.R.Forst. and G.Forst (DRF; Convolvulaceae, called Matijin in Chinese), has been traditionally used to treat jaundice, bacillary dysentery, urinary tract infection, edema, contusions, and strains and sprains based on traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) concepts.

Aim of study: This paper intends to provide a comprehensive and critical analysis of research on DRF focusing on a relationship between traditional uses and pharmacological effects, evaluating the therapeutic potential of this plant.

Methods: Relevant data on DRF were retrieved from available databases.

Results: The heat-clearing and detoxifying, and removing the phlegm and turbid urine effects of DRF are linked to its anti-hepatitis B virus (HBV), anti-inflammatory, and hepatoprotective activities. Especially, the hepatoprotective effects of DRF are mainly based on anti-HBV activities of phenylalanine dipeptides Matijin-Su (MTS) and its derivatives derived from this plant. Further, a phase I anti-HBV clinical trial of a candidate compound named bentysrepinine (Y101, Chinese name Tifentai) has been completed. Also, anti-tumor, analgesic, and antibacterial properties have been reported in the extracts and compounds from DRF. Although pharmacy, pharmacodynamics, toxicology, and pharmacokinetics of bentysrepinine have been systemically reported, no studies have reported chemistry, safety, pharmacology of other compounds or extracts systemically.

Conclusion: Phenylalanine dipeptide compounds are main components and MTS is a characteristic substance of DRF. The main pharmacological effect of DRF is anti-HBV activity, which is coherent with the traditional use of this plant in China. Except bentysrepinine, few studies have been conducted on toxicities of the extracts or compounds from DRF. Thus, it is still necessary to evaluate safety, chemistry, pharmacology of the extracts or compounds from DRF regarding the link between traditional uses and modern applications before the future clinical trials. Bacterial sepsis, cholecystitis and tumors may be prior therapeutic targets of this plant in the future.

Clerodane Diterpenoids Isolated from the Leaves of Casearia graveolens

A phytochemical survey aiming to acquire pharmacologically active substances has resulted in the isolation of nine new clerodane diterpenoids, named graveospenes A-I (1-9), from the leaves of Casearia graveolens. Spectroscopic methods were employed to establish the structures with their absolute configurations being confirmed by ECD data analysis. A biological evaluation was performed, and compound 1 was found to be cytotoxic to both human lung cancer cells (A549) and human hepatocellular carcinoma cells (HepG2). A mechanism-of-action study on 1 revealed this compound to induce apoptosis of A549 cells and impede them at the G₀/G₁ stage.

Sugar ligand-mediated drug delivery

Sugar ligand molecules, such as mannose, galactose and glucose, can bind to drug-delivery systems, making them targeted. These glycosylation ligands have the advantages of nontoxicity, no immunogenicity, good biocompatibility and biodegradation. They can be widely used in glycosylation-modified drug-delivery systems. Herein, the targeting mechanisms, synthesis methods and targeting characteristics of glycosylation-modified drug-delivery systems were reviewed.

Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of Matijin-Su Derivatives as Potential Antihepatitis B Virus and Anticancer Agents

A series of Matijin-Su (MTS, (2S)-2-{[(2S)-2-benzamido-3-phenylpropanoyl]amino}-3-phenylpropyl acetate) derivatives were synthesized and evaluated for their anti-HBV and cytotoxic activities in vitro. Six compounds (4g, 4j, 5c, 5g, 5h and 5i) showed significant inhibition against HBV DNA replication with the IC₅₀ values in range of 2.18 - 8.55 μm, which were much lower than that of positive control lamivudine (IC₅₀ 82.42 μm). In particular, compounds 5h (IC₅₀ 2.18 μm; SI 151.59) and 5j (IC₅₀ 5.65 μm; SI 51.16) displayed relatively low cytotoxicities, resulting in high SI values. Notably, besides the anti-HBV DNA replication activity, compound 4j also exhibited more potent in vitro cytotoxic activity than 5-fluorouracil in two hepatocellular carcinoma cell (HCC) lines (QGY-7701 and SMMC-7721), indicating that 4j may be a promising lead for the exploration of drugs with dual therapeutic effects on HBV infection and HBV-induced HCC.