Dual COX-2/15-LOX inhibitors: A new avenue in the prevention of cancer

Raspberry Pomace as a Good Additive to Apple Freeze-Dried Fruit Bars: Biological Properties and Sensory Evaluation

This study investigated the impact of adding raspberry pomace to the phenolic content and biological properties of freeze-dried apple/raspberry bars. The bars were prepared by replacing apple puree with raspberry pomace (5-50%), and their phenolic compounds were assessed using ethanol and buffer extracts. This work also explored the potential bioaccessibility of phenolic compounds in enriched bars through a simulated digestion process (digest). Antioxidant, anti-inflammatory (LOX, COX-2 inhibition), antihypertensive (ACE inhibition), and antiproliferative effects on AGS and HT-29 cancer cells were evaluated. The total polyphenol content was highest in the all bar variants post-digestion. The highest-904.26 ± 23.5 mg/100 g-was determined for the B50 sample In the enriched bars, the concentration of chlorogenic acid decreased from 6.99 ± 1.08 mg/L for BP5 to 2.75 ± 0.32 mg/L for BP50, but the ellagic acid concentration increased from 1.46 ± 0.02 mg/L for BP5 to 12.73 ± 0.09 mg/L for BP50. Among the tested extracts, the highest antioxidant and LOX, COX-2 inhibiting activity was determined for digest. The ability to neutralize free radicals increased with raspberry pomace addition from 3.63 ± 0.26 mM TE/100 g for BC to 5.58 ± 0.22 mM TE/100 g for the BP50 sample. ACE inhibition was quite similar for ethanolic and digest extracts, but much weaker for buffer extracts. The lowest EC50 value was 1.04 ± 0.03 mg/mL for the BP30 ethanolic sample. Analyzed extracts showed antiproliferative activity against both tested cell lines. The EC50 values for HT-29 cancer cells decreased from 0.354 ± 0.031 mg/mL for BC to 0.026 ± 0.006 mg/mL for the BP50 digest sample. It can be assumed that the BP30 bar best met the assumed criteria, and is optimal for both sensory quality (receiving an average score of 4.45) and health benefits.

Combining lavendustin C and 5-arylidenethiazolin-4-one-based pharmacophores toward multitarget anticancer hybrids

Lavendustin C, a natural-product derived anticancer lead compound, was modified at its carboxylic group by esterification or amidation (compounds 6-10) and at its amino group by introducing 5-arylidenethiazolin-4-ones (14a-c to 17a-c, 18a and 18b). Two strategies were used to combine these moieties and to optimize the yield. These new compounds were evaluated for their antiproliferative activities against a panel of nine cancer cell lines. The results clearly show that 5-arylidenethiazolin-4-one moiety contributes substantially to the activity. Also, methyl esters are more potent than amides, while N-ethylamides are the most potent among amides. 14b showed the highest potency against all tested cancer cell lines with IC50 1.4-2.5 µM, while against normal cell line IC50 > 50 µM. It showed arrest of HeLa cells at G0/G1, S phases and reduction of the percent of cells in G2/M. Moreover, 14b triggered death of HeLa cancer cells via apoptosis induction. EGFR inhibitory potency of 14b was found to be comparable to that of erlotinib. Computational docking and in silico pharmacokinetic studies were performed and discussed. In conclusion, 14b might serve as a multitarget lead compound for further development of anticancer agents.

Synthesis, in silico and bio-evaluation studies of new isothiocyanate derivatives with respect to COX inhibition and H2S release profiles

The development of H2S-donating derivatives of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) is considered important to reduce or overcome their gastrointestinal side effects. Sulforaphane, one of the most extensively studied isothiocyanates (ITCs), effectively releases H2S at a slow rate. Thus, we rationally designed, synthesized, and characterized new ITC derivatives (I1-3 and I1a-e) inspired by the natural compound sulforaphane. The anti-inflammatory properties of these compounds were evaluated by their inhibitory activities against cyclooxygenase targets COX-1 and COX-2. Additionally, the cytotoxicity of the compounds was tested using the MTT assay on LPS-induced RAW 264.7 cells, revealing no cytotoxic effects at low doses. Notably, compounds I1 and fluorine-containing ester derivative I1c emerged as the most potent and selective COX-2 inhibitors, with selectivity indexes of 2611.5 and 2582.4, respectively. The H2S-releasing capacities of ITC derivatives were investigated and compared with that of sulforaphane, showing that while compounds I1-3 exhibit slow and similar H2S release to sulforaphane, the release from compounds I1a-e was not as pronounced as that of the standard. Physics-based molecular modeling studies including molecular docking and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, binding free energy calculations and absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME) analyses were also conducted. MD simulations analysis underscored the crucial amino acids such as Tyr385, Trp387, Phe518, Val523, and Ser530 in the interactions between I1c hit compound and COX-2. The combined in silico and in vitro findings suggest that compounds I1 and I1c are promising NSAID candidates against selective COX-2 inhibition.

Design, synthesis, and evaluation of benzhydrylpiperazine-based novel dual COX-2/5-LOX inhibitors with anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer activity

Piperazine derivatives were screened using the ChEMBL database, paving the way for the design, synthesis, and evaluation of a novel series of dual COX-2/5-LOX inhibitors and identifying their role in mitigating cancer cell proliferation. Compound 9d with 4-Cl substitution at the terminal phenyl ring showed promising inhibition of COX-2 (IC50 = 0.25 ± 0.03 μM) and 5-LOX (IC50 = 7.87 ± 0.33 μM), outperforming the standards celecoxib (IC50 = 0.36 ± 0.023 μM) and zileuton (IC50 = 14.29 ± 0.173 μM), respectively. The two most active derivatives 9d and 9g indicated a significant anti-inflammatory response in a paw edema model by inhibiting PGE2, IL-6, and TNF-α and an increase in IL-10 concentrations. Interestingly, 9d effectively reduced pain by 55.78%, closely comparable to the 59.09% exhibited by the standard indomethacin, and was also devoid of GI, liver, kidney, and cardiac toxicity. Furthermore, 9d demonstrated anti-cancer potential against in vitro A549, COLO-205, and MIA-PA-CA-2 human cancer cell lines and an in vivo Drosophila cancer model. The pharmacokinetic investigations revealed that 9d has good oral absorption characteristics.

Comprehensive Assessment of Anti-Inflammatory, Antiproliferative and Neuroprotective Properties of Cauliflower after Dehydration by Different Drying Methods

Cauliflower (Brassica oleraceae L. var. Botrytis Linnaeus) has various health benefits due to its rich bioactive compound content. However, this fresh vegetable faces challenges related to its perishability and short shelf life. This study explores the effect of five drying methods, namely vacuum drying (VD), convective drying (CD), infrared drying (IRD), low-temperature vacuum drying (LTVD) and vacuum freeze-drying (VFD), on the bioactive compounds and health-promoting properties of cauliflower. Analyses of amino acids, hydroxycinnamic acid and its derivatives, glucosinolates, and isothiocyanates, as well as evaluations of their anti-inflammatory, antiproliferative, and neuroprotective properties, were conducted based on these five drying methods. The results revealed that samples treated with VFD and IRD had a higher content of amino acids involved in GSL anabolism. Moreover, VFD samples retained hydroxycinnamic acid derivatives and glucosinolates to a greater extent than other methods. Nonetheless, the CD and VD samples exhibited higher antiproliferative and neuroprotective effects, which were correlated with their high sulforaphane content. Overall, considering the retention of most bioactive compounds from cauliflower and the topical inflammation amelioration induced in mice, VFD emerges as a more satisfactory option.

Approaches for the discovery of cinnamic acid derivatives with anticancer potential

INTRODUCTION

Cinnamic acid is a privileged scaffold for the design of biologically active compounds with putative anticancer potential, following different synthetic methodologies and procedures. Since there is a need for the production of potent anticancer, cinnamate moiety can significantly contribute in the design of new and more active anticancer agents.

AREAS COVERED

In this review, the authors provide a review on the synthetic approaches for the discovery of cinnamic acid derivatives with anticancer potential. Results from molecular simulations, hybridization, and chemical derivatization along with biological experiments in vitro and structural activity relationships are given, described, and discussed by the authors. Information for the mechanism of action is taken from original literature sources.

EXPERT OPINION

The authors suggest that (i) numerous areas of biology-pharmacology need to be considered: selectivity, in vivo studies, toxicity and drug-likeness, the mechanism of action in animals and humans, development of more efficient assays for various cancer types; (ii) hybridization techniques outbalance in the discovery and production of compounds with higher activity and greater selectivity; (iii) repositioning offers new anticancer cinnamic agents.

Research progress on nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in the treatment of pituitary neuroendocrine tumors

Pituitary neuroendocrine tumor is the third most common primary intracranial tumor. Its main clinical manifestations include abnormal hormone secretion symptoms, symptoms caused by tumor compression of the surrounding pituitary tissue, pituitary stroke, and other anterior pituitary dysfunction. Its pathogenesis is yet to be fully understood. Surgical treatment is still the main treatment. Despite complete resection, 10%-20% of tumors may recur. While dopamine agonists are effective in over 90% of prolactinomas, prolonged use and individual variations can lead to increased drug resistance and a gradual decline in efficacy, which ultimately requires surgical intervention. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs reduce the production of inflammatory mediator prostaglandins by inhibiting the activity of cyclooxygenase and exert antipyretic, analgesic, antiplatelet, and anti-inflammatory effects. In recent years, many in-depth studies have confirmed the potential of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs as a preventive and antitumor agent. It has been extensively utilized in the prevention and treatment of various types of cancer. However, their specific mechanisms of action still need to be fully elucidated. This article summarizes recent research progress on the expression of cyclooxygenase in pituitary neuroendocrine tumors and the treatment of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. It provides a feasible theoretical basis for further research on pituitary neuroendocrine tumors and explores potential therapeutic targets.

Tailored quinoline hybrids as promising COX-2/15-LOX dual inhibitors endowed with diverse safety profile: Design, synthesis, SAR, and histopathological study

Complications of the worldwide use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) sparked scientists to design novel harmless alternatives as an urgent need. So, a unique hybridization tactic of quinoline/pyrazole/thioamide (4a-c) has been rationalized and synthesized as potential COX-2/15-LOX dual inhibitors, utilizing relevant reported studies on these pharmacophores. Moreover, we extended these preceding hybrids into more varied functionality, bearing crucial thiazole scaffolds(5a-l). All the synthesized hybrids were evaluatedin vitroas COX-2/15-LOX dual inhibitors. Initially, series4a-cexhibited significant potency towards 15-LOX inhibition (IC50 = 5.454-4.509 μM) compared to meclofenamate sodium (IC50 = 3.837 μM). Moreover, they revealed reasonable inhibitory activities against the COX-2 enzyme in comparison to celecoxib.Otherwise, conjugates 5a-ldisclosed marked inhibitory activity against 15-LOX and strong inhibitory to COX-2. In particular, hybrids5d(IC50 = 0.239 μM, SI = 8.95), 5h(IC50 = 0.234 μM, SI = 20.35) and 5l (IC50 = 0.201 μM, SI = 14.42) revealed more potency and selectivity outperforming celecoxib (IC50 = 0.512 μM, SI = 4.28). In addition, the most potentcompounds, 4a, 5d, 5h, and 5l have been elected for further in vivoevaluation and displayed potent inhibition of edema in the carrageenan-induced rat paw edema test that surpassed indomethacin. Further, compounds5d, 5h, and 5l decreased serum inflammatory markers including oxidative biomarkersiNO, and pro-inflammatory mediators cytokines like TNF-α, IL-6, and PGE. Ulcerogenic liability for tested compounds demonstrated obvious gastric mucosal safety. Furthermore, a histopathological study for compound 5l suggested a confirmatory comprehensive safety profile for stomach, kidney, and heart tissues. Docking and drug-likeness studies offered a good convention with the obtained biological investigation.