Identification of resveratrol derivative 3,3',4,4',5,5'-hexamethoxy- trans-stilbene as a novel pro-angiogenic small-molecule compound

Traditional Chinese medicine formulas, extracts, and compounds promote angiogenesis

Ischemic diseases, such as ischemic heart diseases and ischemic stroke, are the leading cause of death worldwide. Angiogenic therapy is a wide-ranging approach to fighting ischemic diseases. However, compared with anti-angiogenesis therapy for tumors, less attention has been paid to therapeutic angiogenesis. Recently, Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has garnered increasing interest for its definite curative effect and low toxicity. A growing number of studies have reported that TCM formulas, extracts, and compounds from herbal medicines exert pro-angiogenic activity, which has been confirmed in a few clinical trials. For comprehensive analysis of relevant literature, global and local databases including PubMed, Web of Science, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure were searched using keywords such as "angiogenesis," "neovascularization," "traditional Chinese medicine," "formula," "extract," and "compound." Articles were chosen that are closely and directly related to pro-angiogenesis. This review summarizes the pro-angiogenic activity and the mechanism of TCM formulas, extracts, and compounds; it delivers an in-depth understanding of the relationship between TCM and pro-angiogenesis and will provide new ideas for clinical practice.

Chitosan-Coated Lipid-Core Nanocapsules Functionalized with Gold-III and Bevacizumab Induced In Vitro Cytotoxicity against C6 Cell Line and In Vivo Potent Antiangiogenic Activity

PURPOSE

Bevacizumab (BCZ) is a recombinant monoclonal antibody that inhibits the biological activity of the vascular endothelial growth factor, which has an important role in angiogenesis for tumoral growth and progression. In this way, our objective was to develop chitosan-coated lipid-core nanocapsules functionalized with BCZ by an organometallic complex using gold-III.

METHODS

The formulation was produced and characterized in relation to physicochemical characteristics. Furthermore, the antitumoral and antiangiogenic activities were evaluated against C6 glioma cell line and chicken embryo chorioallantoic membrane (CAM), respectively.

RESULTS

Final formulation showed nanometric size, narrow polydispersity, positive zeta potential and gold clusters size lower than 2 nm. BCZ in aqueous solution (0.01-0.10 μmol L^-1) did not show cytotoxic activity in vitro against C6 glioma cell line; although, MLNC-Au-BCZ showed cytotoxicity with a median inhibition concentration of 30 nmol L^-1 of BCZ. Moreover, MLNC-Au-BCZ demonstrated cellular internalization dependent on incubation time and BCZ concentration. BCZ solution did not induce significant apoptosis as compared to MLNC-Au-BCZ within 24 h of treatment. CAM assay evidenced potent antiangiogenic activity for MLNC-Au-BCZ, representing a decrease of 5.6 times in BCZ dose comparing to BCZ solution.

CONCLUSION

MLNC-Au-BCZ is a promising product for the treatment of solid tumors.

Identification of compound CA-5f as a novel late-stage autophagy inhibitor with potent anti-tumor effect against non-small cell lung cancer

Currently, particular focus is placed on the implication of autophagy in a variety of human diseases, including cancer. Discovery of small-molecule modulators of autophagy as well as their potential use as anti-cancer therapeutic agents would be of great significance. To this end, a series of curcumin analogs previously synthesized in our laboratory were screened. Among these compounds, (3E,5E)-3-(3,4-dimethoxybenzylidene)-5-[(1H-indol-3-yl)methylene]-1-methylpiperidin-4-one (CA-5f) was identified as a potent late-stage macroautophagy/autophagy inhibitor via inhibiting autophagosome-lysosome fusion. We found that CA-5f neither impaired the hydrolytic function nor the quantity of lysosomes. Use of an isobaric tag for relative and absolute quantitation (iTRAQ)-based proteomic screen in combination with bioinformatics analysis suggested that treatment of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) with CA-5f for 1 h suppressed the levels of cytoskeletal proteins and membrane traffic proteins. Subsequent studies showed that CA-5f exhibited strong cytotoxicity against A549 non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells, but low cytotoxicity to normal human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), by increasing mitochondrial-derived reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. Moreover, CA-5f effectively suppressed the growth of A549 lung cancer xenograft as a single agent with an excellent tolerance in vivo. Results from western blot, immunofluorescence, and TdT-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) assays showed that CA-5f inhibited autophagic flux, induced apoptosis, and did not affect the level of CTSB (cathepsin B) and CTSD (cathepsin D) in vivo, which were consistent with the in vitro data. Collectively, these results demonstrated that CA-5f is a novel late-stage autophagy inhibitor with potential clinical application for NSCLC therapy. Abbreviations: 3-MA, 3-methyladenine; ANXA5, annexin A5; ATG, autophagy related; CA-5f, (3E,5E)-3-(3,4-dimethoxybenzylidene)-5-[(1H-indol-3-yl)methylene]-1-methylpiperidin-4-one; CQ, chloroquine; CTSB, cathepsin B; CTSD, cathepsin D; DMSO, dimethyl sulfoxide; DNM2, dynamin 2; EBSS, Earle's balanced salt solution; GFP, green fluorescent protein; HCQ, hydroxyl CQ; HEK293, human embryonic kidney 293; HUVEC, human umbilical vein endothelial cells; LAMP1, lysosomal associated membrane protein 1; LC-MS/MS, liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry; LDH, lactic acid dehydrogenase; LMO7, LIM domain 7; MAP1LC3B/LC3B, microtubule associated protein 1 light chain 3 beta; NAC, N-acetyl cysteine; MYO1E, myosin IE; NSCLC, non-small cell lung cancer; PARP1, poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase 1; PI, propidium iodide; RFP, red fluorescent protein; ROS, reactive oxygen species; SQSTM1, sequestosome 1; TUNEL, terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling.

Angiogenesis in the atherosclerotic plaque

Atherosclerosis is a multifocal alteration of the vascular wall of medium and large arteries characterized by a local accumulation of cholesterol and non-resolving inflammation. Atherothrombotic complications are the leading cause of disability and mortality in western countries. Neovascularization in atherosclerotic lesions plays a major role in plaque growth and instability. The angiogenic process is mediated by classical angiogenic factors and by additional factors specific to atherosclerotic angiogenesis. In addition to its role in plaque progression, neovascularization may take part in plaque destabilization and thromboembolic events. Anti-angiogenic agents are effective to reduce atherosclerosis progression in various animal models. However, clinical trials with anti-angiogenic drugs, mainly anti-VEGF/VEGFR, used in anti-cancer therapy show cardiovascular adverse effects, and require additional investigations.