The Role of Colchicine in Different Clinical Phenotypes of Behcet Disease

7S,15R-Stereoisomer of phenylethylamino derivative of colchicine exhibits potent in-vitro and in-vivo anti-cancer activity against prostate Cancer: Assessing the impact of stereochemistry on biological activity

The non-selective toxicity of colchicine remains a major barrier to its development as an anticancer agent. Here, we report a colchicine derivative, 8l, which exhibits potent and selective antiproliferative activity in prostate cancer cells. The present study investigates the impact of stereochemistry at the C10-substituted chiral amine fragment on the biological activity. Our findings reveal that the stereochemical configuration of 8l (7S,15R diastereomer) is critical for its efficacy, showing 12.5-fold greater antiproliferative activity than its counterpart, the 7S,15S diastereomer 8z. Additionally, 8l demonstrates superior α-tubulin polymerization inhibition compared to 8z, that were further corroborated by docking and simulation studies. Mechanistic insights indicate that 8l increases reactive oxygen species levels by modulating the NRF-2/KEAP-1 axis. In vivo, administration of 8l at doses of 0.3 and 0.6 mg/kg significantly suppresses tumor growth in a PC-3 xenograft mouse model. Collectively, this study highlights the therapeutic potential of 8l as a colchicine-based anticancer agent, effectively attenuating tumor progression through modulation of the NRF-2/KEAP-1 axis.

[Colchicine-Phoenix from the ashes]

Colchicine is an anti-inflammatory herbal medicine with a history stretching back thousands of years. It is a cornerstone in the acute and prophylactic treatment of gout and has secured a permanent place in the standard pharmacological repertoire for familial Mediterranean fever, pericarditis, neutrophilic dermatoses, Behçet's disease and severe aphthous ulcers refractory to oral treatment. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has recently approved colchicine to reduce the risk of myocardial infarction, stroke, coronary revascularization and cardiovascular death in adult patients with established atherosclerotic disease or with multiple risk factors for cardiovascular diseases. The recommendation level for cardiovascular prophylaxis was raised from IIb to IIa in the current European Society of Cardiology (ESC) guidelines from 2024. Clinical studies in recent years also demonstrated an effect for acute coronary syndrome and atrial fibrillation. This review article highlights the efficacy and safety profile of colchicine and provides insights into recent and potential future evidence-based fields of application.

Cytokine Signature Differences in Major Phenotypic Groups of Behçet Disease

OBJECTIVES

Behçet disease (BD) has heterogeneous presentations, mainly mucocutaneous, vascular, and ocular manifestations. The mechanisms associated with different phenotypes have not been clarified. We aimed to investigate the expression of innate and adaptive immunity-related cytokines in these 3 main BD phenotypes in active and untreated states and remission after treatment to be able to develop a cytokine-based treatment algorithm.

METHODS

Serum samples were isolated from 41 patients with newly diagnosed active BD (aBD), which consisted of 19 mucocutaneous aBD, 11 ocular aBD (o-aBD), and 11 vascular aBD patients, 35 patients in remission (rBD), and 9 healthy controls (HC). Serum levels of each cytokine were measured with sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and analyzed as both raw measurements and corrected levels for each 1 million white blood cells.

RESULTS

The study included 41 aBD patients (female/male [F/M]: 9/32; median age, 29 years), 35 rBD patients (F/M: 9/26; median age, 29 years), and 9 HC (F/M: 3/6; median age, 28 years). The serum interferon γ level was significantly higher in the aBD group than in the rBD (116 vs. 92 pg/mL, p = 0.022). The serum interleukin 35 (IL-35) level was significantly higher in the HC group compared with aBD and rBD ( p = 0.05). IL-17-related cytokines were lower in o-aBD. With treatment, they increased in o-aBD but decreased in mucocutaneous aBD and vascular aBD patients.

CONCLUSION

This study supports the involvement of both innate and T H 1-predominated adaptive immune responses across all BD phenotypes. The IL-17 and T H 17-related immune responses appear less prominent in ocular BD, which may explain the ineffectiveness of IL-17 blockade in treating ocular BD. These findings support the need for further studies using comprehensive gene expression analyses to develop targeted treatment strategies for BD phenotypes.

Approaches based on miRNAs in Behçet's Disease: Unveiling pathogenic mechanisms, diagnostic strategies, and therapeutic applications

Behçet's Disease (BD) is an intricate medical puzzle, captivating researchers with its enigmatic pathogenesis. This complex ailment, distinguished by recurrent mouth and genital lesions, eye irritation, and skin injuries, presents a substantial obstacle to therapeutic research. This review explores the complex interaction of microRNAs (miRNAs) with BD, highlighting their crucial involvement in the disease's pathophysiology. miRNAs, recognized for regulatory influence in diverse biological processes, hold a pivotal position in the molecular mechanisms of autoimmune diseases, such as BD. The exploration begins with examining miRNA biogenic pathways and functions, establishing a foundational understanding of their regulatory mechanisms. Shifting to the molecular landscape governing BD, the review highlights miRNA-mediated impacts on critical signaling pathways like Notch, nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB), and protein kinase B (AKT)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), offering insights into intricate pathophysiological mechanisms. Dissecting the immunological landscape reveals the profound influence of miRNAs on BD, shedding light on the intricate modulation of immune responses and offering novel perspectives on disease etiology and progression. Beyond molecular intricacies, the review explores the clinical relevance of miRNAs in BD, emphasizing their potential as diagnostic and prognostic indicators. The discussion extends to the promising realm of miRNA-based therapeutic interventions, highlighting their potential in alleviating symptoms and altering disease progression. This comprehensive review, serving as a valuable resource for researchers, clinicians, and stakeholders, aims to decipher the intricate molecular tapestry of BD and explore the therapeutic potential of miRNAs.

Therapeutic Potential of Bioactive Compounds from Brugmansia suaveolens Bercht. & J. Presl

Brugmansia suaveolens Bercht. & J. Presl has been widely used due to the presence of different bioactive compounds. This review summarizes the latest advances and perspectives of the B. suaveolens plant species; it is a systematic literature review on aspects of botany, traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacology, and toxicology as therapeutic potential. In addition, 120 compounds are described, including alkaloids, flavonoids, terpenoids, steroids, amino acids, aromatics, and aliphatics. As for the therapeutic potential, it is described in extracts and compounds in the antitumor, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial, antispasmodic, anticoagulant, and analgesic aspects, as well as the effects on the central nervous system. The toxicity of the genus stands out, especially the potential for organ toxicity. Therefore, this review evidenced the knowledge related to the traditional use based on the scientific research of Brugmansia suaveolens, highlighting an overview of bioactive compounds and biological and toxicological activities in order to provide a scientific basis for future studies on the value of this species for the development of new natural products.