1
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Wu J, Tang G, Cheng CS, Yeerken R, Chan YT, Fu Z, Zheng YC, Feng Y, Wang N. Traditional Chinese medicine for the treatment of cancers of hepatobiliary system: from clinical evidence to drug discovery. Mol Cancer 2024; 23:218. [PMID: 39354529 PMCID: PMC11443773 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-024-02136-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2024] [Accepted: 09/20/2024] [Indexed: 10/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Hepatic, biliary, and pancreatic cancer pose significant challenges in the field of digestive system diseases due to their highly malignant nature. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has gained attention as a potential therapeutic approach with long-standing use in China and well-recognized clinical benefits. In this review, we systematically summarized the clinical applications of TCM that have shown promising results in clinical trials in treating hepatic, biliary, and pancreatic cancer. We highlighted several commonly used TCM therapeutics with validated efficacy through rigorous clinical trials, including Huaier Granule, Huachansu, and Icaritin. The active compounds and their potential targets have been thoroughly elucidated to offer valuable insights into the potential of TCM for anti-cancer drug discovery. We emphasized the importance of further research to bridge the gap between TCM and modern oncology, facilitating the development of evidence-based TCM treatment for these challenging malignancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junyu Wu
- School of Chinese Medicine, the University of Hong Kong, 3, Sasson Road, Pokfulam, Hong Kong
| | - Guoyi Tang
- School of Chinese Medicine, the University of Hong Kong, 3, Sasson Road, Pokfulam, Hong Kong
| | - Chien-Shan Cheng
- Department of Digestive Endoscopy Center & Gastroenterology, Shuguang Hospital Affiliated With Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, China
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine Affiliated Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai, China
| | - Ranna Yeerken
- School of Chinese Medicine, the University of Hong Kong, 3, Sasson Road, Pokfulam, Hong Kong
| | - Yau-Tuen Chan
- School of Chinese Medicine, the University of Hong Kong, 3, Sasson Road, Pokfulam, Hong Kong
| | - Zhiwen Fu
- Department of Pharmacy, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Yi-Chao Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Esophageal Cancer Prevention &, Treatment Institute of Drug Discovery and Development, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, 100 Kexue Avenue, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450001, China
| | - Yibin Feng
- School of Chinese Medicine, the University of Hong Kong, 3, Sasson Road, Pokfulam, Hong Kong.
| | - Ning Wang
- School of Chinese Medicine, the University of Hong Kong, 3, Sasson Road, Pokfulam, Hong Kong.
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2
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Zuo Q, Xu DQ, Yue SJ, Fu RJ, Tang YP. Chemical Composition, Pharmacological Effects and Clinical Applications of Cinobufacini. Chin J Integr Med 2024; 30:366-378. [PMID: 38212503 DOI: 10.1007/s11655-024-3708-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/09/2023] [Indexed: 01/13/2024]
Abstract
Chinese medicine cinobufacini is an extract from the dried skin of Bufo bufo gargarizans Cantor, with active ingredients of bufadienolides and indole alkaloids. With further research and clinical applications, it is found that cinobufacini alone or in combination with other therapeutic methods can play an anti-tumor role by controlling proliferation of tumor cells, promoting apoptosis, inhibiting formation of tumor neovascularization, reversing multidrug resistance, and regulating immune response; it also has the functions of relieving cancer pain and regulating immune function. In this paper, the chemical composition, pharmacological effects, clinical applications, and adverse reactions of cinobufacini are summarized. However, the extraction of monomer components of cinobufacini, the relationship between different mechanisms, and the causes of adverse reactions need to be further studied. Also, high-quality clinical studies should be conducted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qian Zuo
- Key Laboratory of Shaanxi Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine for TCM Compatibility, Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Xi'an, 712046, China
| | - Ding-Qiao Xu
- Key Laboratory of Shaanxi Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine for TCM Compatibility, Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Xi'an, 712046, China
| | - Shi-Jun Yue
- Key Laboratory of Shaanxi Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine for TCM Compatibility, Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Xi'an, 712046, China
| | - Rui-Jia Fu
- Key Laboratory of Shaanxi Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine for TCM Compatibility, Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Xi'an, 712046, China
| | - Yu-Ping Tang
- Key Laboratory of Shaanxi Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine for TCM Compatibility, Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Xi'an, 712046, China.
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3
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Huang F, Wang Z, Wang L, Liu R, Ma C, Che Y, He Y, Ye J. Chemical components characterization and in vivo metabolites profiling of Lingbao Huxin Dan by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry. J Sep Sci 2024; 47:e2300233. [PMID: 38010107 DOI: 10.1002/jssc.202300233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2023] [Revised: 11/14/2023] [Accepted: 11/15/2023] [Indexed: 11/29/2023]
Abstract
Lingbao Huxin Dan (LBHX) is an effective prescription for treating various cardiovascular diseases. However, its systematic chemical composition analysis and important marker components remain unclear, which hinders the development of standards or guidelines for quality evaluation. Herein, a high-resolution and efficient method was established to comprehensively investigate the chemical ingredients and metabolites of LBHX by using gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry and ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry. AutoDock Vina was applied to conduct visual screening for identifying potential active compounds targeting two important sick sinus syndrome-associated proteins. As a result, 53 volatile compounds, as well as 191 non-volatile chemical components, including bufadienolides, diterpenoids, bile acids, phenolic acids, and triterpenoid saponins, were unambiguously characterized or tentatively identified. Fifty prototypes and 62 metabolites were identified in the plasma of rats, whilst metabolism reactions included phase I reactions (hydrolysis, oxidation, and hydroxylation) and phase II reactions (glucuronidation and methylation). Eleven compounds with good binding affinity have been observed by docking with key proteins. It is the first systematic study on the pharmacodynamic material basis of LBHX and the result consolidates the foundation for further study regarding the mechanism in treating cardiovascular diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fan Huang
- Institute of Interdisciplinary Integrative Medicine Research, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Ziying Wang
- Tianjin University of Science and Technology, School of Biological Engineering, Tianjin, China
| | - Lulu Wang
- School of Pharmacy, Dali University, Dali, China
| | - Ruxia Liu
- Department of Pharmacy, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine Fuzhou, Fujian, China
| | - Chi Ma
- Institute of Interdisciplinary Integrative Medicine Research, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yanzhong Che
- Lei Yun Shang Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Suzhou, China
| | - Yiwen He
- Lei Yun Shang Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Suzhou, China
| | - Ji Ye
- School of Pharmacy, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
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4
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Ye Q, Zhou X, Ren H, Han F, Lin R, Li J. An overview of the past decade of bufalin in the treatment of refractory and drug-resistant cancers: current status, challenges, and future perspectives. Front Pharmacol 2023; 14:1274336. [PMID: 37860119 PMCID: PMC10582727 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1274336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Profound progress has been made in cancer treatment in the past three decades. However, drug resistance remains prevalent and a critical challenge. Drug resistance can be attributed to oncogenes mutations, activated defensive mechanisms, ATP-bind cassette transporters overexpression, cancer stem cells, etc. Chinese traditional medicine toad venom has been used for centuries for different diseases, including resistant cancers. Bufalin is one of the bufadienolides in toad venom that has been extensively studied for its potential in refractory and drug-resistant cancer treatments in vitro and in vivo. In this work, we would like to critically review the progress made in the past decade (2013-2022) of bufalin in overcoming drug resistance in cancers. Generally, bufalin shows high potential in killing certain refractory and resistant cancer cells via multiple mechanisms. More importantly, bufalin can work as a chemo-sensitizer that enhances the sensitivity of certain conventional and targeted therapies at low concentrations. In addition, the development of bufalin derivatives was also briefly summarized and discussed. We also analyzed the obstacles and challenges and provided possible solutions for future perspectives. We hope that the collective information may help evoke more effort for more in-depth studies and evaluation of bufalin in both lab and possible clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingmei Ye
- Hainan General Hospital & Hainan Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University, Haikou, Hainan, China
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Medicinal Resource Chemistry of Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Tropical Medicinal Plant Chemistry of Hainan Province, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hainan Normal University, Haikou, Hainan, China
| | - Xin Zhou
- The Fifth People’s Hospital of Hainan Province & Affiliated Dermatology Hospital of Hainan Medical University, Haikou, Hainan, China
| | - Han Ren
- Hainan General Hospital & Hainan Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University, Haikou, Hainan, China
| | - Fangxuan Han
- Hainan General Hospital & Hainan Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University, Haikou, Hainan, China
| | - Rong Lin
- Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Resource and Chemistry, Department of Pharmacy, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Juan Li
- Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Resource and Chemistry, Department of Pharmacy, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, Hubei, China
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5
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Dong Q, Liu L, Yuan Y, Turdu G, Mirzaakhmedov S, Aisa HA, Yili A. Two new polyamine alkaloids from the Bufo viridis toad venom. Nat Prod Res 2023; 37:3538-3542. [PMID: 35675547 DOI: 10.1080/14786419.2022.2086545] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2022] [Revised: 05/28/2022] [Accepted: 05/31/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Two new polyamine alkaloids (bufonines A-B), together with four known alkaloids, bufotenidine (3), bufotenine (4), 1-(β-d-ribofuranosyl)-lH-1,2,4-triazone (5) and proline (6) were isolated from the Bufo viridis toad venom. Their structures were identified by UV, HR-ESI-MS, NMR spectral analyses, and comparison of theoretical and experimental ECD data. All compounds were tested in vitro cytotoxicity against three human cancer cell lines (HT-29, A549 and Hela). None of the compounds showed cytotoxicity towards all tested cell lines. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of alkaloid components from Bufo viridis toad venom.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiang Dong
- State Key Laboratory Basis of Xinjiang Indigenous Medicinal Plants Resource Utilization and The Key Laboratory of Plant Resources and Chemistry of Arid Zone, Xinjiang Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi, People's Republic of China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Liu Liu
- State Key Laboratory Basis of Xinjiang Indigenous Medicinal Plants Resource Utilization and The Key Laboratory of Plant Resources and Chemistry of Arid Zone, Xinjiang Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi, People's Republic of China
| | - Yue Yuan
- State Key Laboratory Basis of Xinjiang Indigenous Medicinal Plants Resource Utilization and The Key Laboratory of Plant Resources and Chemistry of Arid Zone, Xinjiang Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi, People's Republic of China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Gulmira Turdu
- State Key Laboratory Basis of Xinjiang Indigenous Medicinal Plants Resource Utilization and The Key Laboratory of Plant Resources and Chemistry of Arid Zone, Xinjiang Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi, People's Republic of China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | | | - Haji Akber Aisa
- State Key Laboratory Basis of Xinjiang Indigenous Medicinal Plants Resource Utilization and The Key Laboratory of Plant Resources and Chemistry of Arid Zone, Xinjiang Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi, People's Republic of China
| | - Abulimiti Yili
- State Key Laboratory Basis of Xinjiang Indigenous Medicinal Plants Resource Utilization and The Key Laboratory of Plant Resources and Chemistry of Arid Zone, Xinjiang Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi, People's Republic of China
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6
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Asrorov AM, Kayumov M, Mukhamedov N, Yashinov A, Mirakhmetova Z, Huang Y, Yili A, Aisa HA, Tashmukhamedov M, Salikhov S, Mirzaakhmedov S. Toad venom bufadienolides and bufotoxins: An updated review. Drug Dev Res 2023; 84:815-838. [PMID: 37154099 DOI: 10.1002/ddr.22072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2023] [Revised: 04/14/2023] [Accepted: 04/20/2023] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
Bufadienolides, naturally found in toad venoms having steroid-like structures, reveal antiproliferative effects at low doses. However, their application as anticancer drugs is strongly prevented by their Na+ /K+ -ATPase binding activities. Although several kinds of research were dedicated to moderating their Na+ /K+ -ATPase binding activity, still deeper fundamental knowledge is required to bring these findings into medical practice. In this work, we reviewed data related to anticancer activity of bufadienolides such as bufalin, arenobufagin, bufotalin, gamabufotalin, cinobufotalin, and cinobufagin and their derivatives. Bufotoxins, derivatives of bufadienolides containing polar molecules mainly belonging to argininyl residues, are reviewed as well. The established structures of bufotoxins have been compiled into a one-page figure to review their structures. We also highlighted advances in the structure-modification of the structure of compounds in this class. Drug delivery approaches to target these compounds to tumor cells were discussed in one section. The issues related to extraction, identification, and quantification are separated into another section.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akmal M Asrorov
- Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry of Uzbekistan Academy of Sciences, Tashkent, Uzbekistan
- Department of Natural Substances Chemistry, National University of Uzbekistan, Tashkent, Uzbekistan
- Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, CAS, Shanghai, China
| | - Muzaffar Kayumov
- Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry of Uzbekistan Academy of Sciences, Tashkent, Uzbekistan
| | - Nurkhodja Mukhamedov
- Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry of Uzbekistan Academy of Sciences, Tashkent, Uzbekistan
| | - Ansor Yashinov
- Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, CAS, Shanghai, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (UCAS), Beijing, China
| | - Ziyoda Mirakhmetova
- Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry of Uzbekistan Academy of Sciences, Tashkent, Uzbekistan
| | - Yongzhuo Huang
- Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, CAS, Shanghai, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (UCAS), Beijing, China
| | - Abulimiti Yili
- Xinjiang Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry, CAS, Urumqi, China
| | - Haji Akber Aisa
- Xinjiang Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry, CAS, Urumqi, China
| | | | - Shavkat Salikhov
- Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry of Uzbekistan Academy of Sciences, Tashkent, Uzbekistan
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7
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Oliveira CBDS, Barros EDS, de Oliveira SR, Barbosa Júnior F, Vieira Júnior GM, Lopes Júnior CA. Preliminary ionome of the parotoid gland secretion from Rhinella jimi toad. Toxicon 2023; 225:107059. [PMID: 36822515 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2023.107059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2022] [Revised: 02/13/2023] [Accepted: 02/16/2023] [Indexed: 02/23/2023]
Abstract
The cururu toad (Rhinella jimi) is an anuran belonging to the fauna of the Brazilian northeast region, which releases a secretion with toxins from your parotoid glands. Although it has some information about secondary metabolites and proteins, the elemental composition of the released secretion is unknown. Therefore, this is the first report on the ionome of the secretion of the parotoid glands from R. jimi, investigating the influences of abiotic factors such as biome, seasonality, and gender. ICP-MS was used for measurements combined with principal component analysis (PCA). A screening of the secretion sample detected 68 elements which the total concentration of 18 elements was determined. PCA revealed that biome and seasonality factors have a greater influence on the ionomic profile of parotoid secretion. The presence of toxic metals in the secretion samples indicates that the R. jimi toad can be considered a potential bioindicator. These findings may contribute to understanding the metabolism, lifestyle, and interaction of the R. jimi toad with environmental factors as well as open new perspectives to investigate the relationships of the ionome with other biomolecules, for example, metalloproteins and their physiological functions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Elcio Daniel Sousa Barros
- Department of Chemistry, Federal University of Piauí - UFPI, CEP: 64049-550, Teresina, Piauí, Brazil
| | - Silvana Ruella de Oliveira
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo - USP, Avenida do Café s/n, Monte Alegre, CEP: 14040-903, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Fernando Barbosa Júnior
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo - USP, Avenida do Café s/n, Monte Alegre, CEP: 14040-903, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Cícero Alves Lopes Júnior
- Department of Chemistry, Federal University of Piauí - UFPI, CEP: 64049-550, Teresina, Piauí, Brazil.
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8
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Zou D, Wang Q, Chen T, Sang D, Yang T, Wang Y, Gao M, He F, Li Y, He L, Longzhu D. Bufadienolides originated from toad source and their anti-inflammatory activity. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:1044027. [PMID: 36339575 PMCID: PMC9627299 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.1044027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2022] [Accepted: 10/10/2022] [Indexed: 03/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Bufadienolide, an essential member of the C-24 steroid family, is characterized by an α-pyrone positioned at C-17. As the predominantly active constituent in traditional Chinese medicine of Chansu, bufadienolide has been prescribed in the treatment of numerous ailments. It is a specifically potent inhibitor of Na+/K+ ATPase with excellent anti-inflammatory activity. However, the severe side effects triggered by unbiased inhibition of the whole-body cells distributed α1-subtype of Na+/K+ ATPase, restrict its future applicability. Thus, researchers have paved the road for the structural alteration of desirable bufadienolide derivatives with minimal adverse effects via biotransformation. In this review, we give priority to the present evidence for structural diversity, MS fragmentation principles, anti-inflammatory efficacy, and structure modification of bufadienolides derived from toads to offer a scientific foundation for future in-depth investigations and views.
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Affiliation(s)
- Denglang Zou
- School of Life Science, Qinghai Normal University, Xining, China
- College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
- Northwest Institute of Plateau Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xining, China
| | - Qiqi Wang
- College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Tao Chen
- Northwest Institute of Plateau Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xining, China
| | - Duocheng Sang
- School of Life Science, Qinghai Normal University, Xining, China
| | - Tingqin Yang
- School of Life Science, Qinghai Normal University, Xining, China
| | - Yuhan Wang
- School of Life Science, Qinghai Normal University, Xining, China
| | - Mengze Gao
- School of Life Science, Qinghai Normal University, Xining, China
| | - Fangfang He
- School of Life Science, Qinghai Normal University, Xining, China
| | - Yulin Li
- Northwest Institute of Plateau Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xining, China
| | - Liangliang He
- College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Duojie Longzhu
- School of Life Science, Qinghai Normal University, Xining, China
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9
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An integrated strategy to delineate the chemical and dynamic metabolic profile of Huachansu tablets in rat plasma based on UPLC-ESI-QTOF/MSE. J Pharm Biomed Anal 2022; 218:114866. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jpba.2022.114866] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2022] [Revised: 05/28/2022] [Accepted: 05/30/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
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10
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Firneno TJ, Ramesh B, Maldonado JA, Hernandez-Briones AI, Emery AH, Roelke CE, Fujita MK. Transcriptomic analysis reveals potential candidate pathways and genes involved in toxin biosynthesis in true toads. J Hered 2022; 113:311-324. [PMID: 35325156 DOI: 10.1093/jhered/esac015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2021] [Accepted: 03/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Synthesized chemical defenses have broadly evolved across countless taxa and are important in shaping evolutionary and ecological interactions within ecosystems. However, the underlying genomic mechanisms by which these organisms synthesize and utilize their toxins are relatively unknown. Herein, we use comparative transcriptomics to uncover potential toxin synthesizing genes and pathways, as well as interspecific patterns of toxin synthesizing genes across ten species of North American true toads (Bufonidae). Upon assembly and annotation of the ten transcriptomes, we explored patterns of relative gene expression and possible protein-protein interactions across the species to determine what genes and/or pathways may be responsible for toxin synthesis. We also tested our transcriptome dataset for signatures of positive selection to reveal how selection may be acting upon potential toxin producing genes. We assembled high quality transcriptomes of the bufonid parotoid gland, a tissue not often investigated in other bufonid related RNAseq studies. We found several genes involved in metabolic and biosynthetic pathways (e.g. steroid biosynthesis, terpenoid backbone biosynthesis, isoquinoline biosynthesis, glucosinolate biosynthesis) that were functionally enriched and/or relatively expressed across the ten focal species that may be involved in the synthesis of alkaloid and steroid toxins, as well as other small metabolic compounds that cause distastefulness in bufonids. We hope that our study lays a foundation for future studies to explore the genomic underpinnings and specific pathways of toxin synthesis in toads, as well as at the macroevolutionary scale across numerous taxa that produce their own defensive toxins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas J Firneno
- Department of Biology, University of Texas, Arlington, Texas, 76019-0498, USA.,Amphibian and Reptile Diversity Research Center, Department of Biology, University of Texas, Arlington, Texas, 76019-0498, USA
| | - Balan Ramesh
- Department of Biology, University of Texas, Arlington, Texas, 76019-0498, USA
| | - Jose A Maldonado
- Department of Biology, University of Texas, Arlington, Texas, 76019-0498, USA.,Amphibian and Reptile Diversity Research Center, Department of Biology, University of Texas, Arlington, Texas, 76019-0498, USA
| | | | - Alyson H Emery
- Department of Biology, University of Texas, Arlington, Texas, 76019-0498, USA
| | - Corey E Roelke
- Department of Biology, University of Texas, Arlington, Texas, 76019-0498, USA.,Amphibian and Reptile Diversity Research Center, Department of Biology, University of Texas, Arlington, Texas, 76019-0498, USA
| | - Matthew K Fujita
- Department of Biology, University of Texas, Arlington, Texas, 76019-0498, USA.,Amphibian and Reptile Diversity Research Center, Department of Biology, University of Texas, Arlington, Texas, 76019-0498, USA
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11
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NEERATI P, MUNIGADAPA S. Novel Indole Derivative as the First P-glycoprotein Inhibitor from the Skin of Indian Toad <i>(Bufo melanostictus)</i>. Turk J Pharm Sci 2022; 19:63-69. [DOI: 10.4274/tjps.galenos.2021.47417] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
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12
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He K, Wang GX, Zhao LN, Cui XF, Su XB, Shi Y, Xie TP, Hou SW, Han ZG. Cinobufagin Is a Selective Anti-Cancer Agent against Tumors with EGFR Amplification and PTEN Deletion. Front Pharmacol 2021; 12:775602. [PMID: 34925034 PMCID: PMC8672866 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.775602] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2021] [Accepted: 10/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most common and malignant brain tumor, and almost half of the patients carrying EGFR-driven tumor with PTEN deficiency are resistant to EGFR-targeted therapy. EGFR amplification and/or mutation is reported in various epithelial tumors. This series of studies aimed to identify a potent compound against EGFR-driven tumor. We screened a chemical library containing over 600 individual compounds purified from Traditional Chinese Medicine against GBM cells with EGFR amplification and found that cinobufagin, the major active ingredient of Chansu, inhibited the proliferation of EGFR amplified GBM cells and PTEN deficiency enhanced its anti-proliferation effects. Cinobufagin also strongly inhibited the proliferation of carcinoma cell lines with wild-type or mutant EGFR expression. In contrast, the compound only weakly inhibited the proliferation of cancer cells with low or without EGFR expression. Cinobufagin blocked EGFR phosphorylation and its downstream signaling, which additionally induced apoptosis and cytotoxicity in EGFR amplified cancer cells. In vivo, cinobufagin blocked EGFR signaling, inhibited cell proliferation, and elicited apoptosis, thereby suppressing tumor growth in both subcutaneous and intracranial U87MG-EGFR xenograft mouse models and increasing the median survival of nude mice bearing intracranial U87MG-EGFR tumors. Cinobufagin is a potential therapeutic agent for treating malignant glioma and other human cancers expressing EGFR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kunyan He
- Key Laboratory of Systems Biomedicine (Ministry of Education), Shanghai Center for Systems Biomedicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Guang-Xing Wang
- Key Laboratory of Systems Biomedicine (Ministry of Education), Shanghai Center for Systems Biomedicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Li-Nan Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Systems Biomedicine (Ministry of Education), Shanghai Center for Systems Biomedicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiao-Fang Cui
- Key Laboratory of Systems Biomedicine (Ministry of Education), Shanghai Center for Systems Biomedicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xian-Bin Su
- Key Laboratory of Systems Biomedicine (Ministry of Education), Shanghai Center for Systems Biomedicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yi Shi
- Key Laboratory for the Genetics of Developmental and Neuropsychiatric Disorders, Bio-X Institutes, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Tian-Pei Xie
- Shanghai Nature Standard Technical Services Co., Ltd., Shanghai, China
| | - Shang-Wei Hou
- Key Laboratory for Translational Research and Innovative Therapeutics of Gastrointestinal Oncology, Department of Anesthesiology, Hongqiao International Institute of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine Affiliated Tongren Hospital, Shanghai, China.,Hangzhou Innovation Institute for Systems Oncology, Hangzhou, China
| | - Ze-Guang Han
- Key Laboratory of Systems Biomedicine (Ministry of Education), Shanghai Center for Systems Biomedicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China.,Hangzhou Innovation Institute for Systems Oncology, Hangzhou, China
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Inoue T, Nakata R, Savitzky AH, Yoshinaga N, Mori A, Mori N. New Insights Into Dietary Toxin Metabolism: Diversity in the Ability of the Natricine Snake Rhabdophis tigrinus to Convert Toad-Derived Bufadienolides. J Chem Ecol 2021; 47:915-925. [PMID: 34258693 DOI: 10.1007/s10886-021-01287-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2021] [Revised: 05/24/2021] [Accepted: 06/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
The Japanese natricine snake Rhabdophis tigrinus sequesters cardiotonic steroids, bufadienolides (BDs), from ingested toads in the nuchal glands as defensive toxins. A previous study showed that R. tigrinus in captivity converts dietary BDs when it sequesters them. However, it is unknown whether the dietary BDs are actually converted and the modified products accumulated under natural conditions. It is also unknown to what extent the BD profile of ingested toads is reflected in that of the snake. We collected 123 snakes from throughout Japan, analyzed their BD profiles by liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry, and identified 15 BDs from R. tigrinus by nuclear magnetic resonance analyses. We also compared their BD profiles using hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA). HCA exhibited two main clusters associated with their collection locations: eastern and western regions of the Japanese main islands. These results, coupled with previous findings on the BDs of Japanese toads, suggest that 1) R. tigrinus converts toad-derived BDs into other compounds under natural conditions; 2) there are both universal and regionally-specific conversions of dietary BDs by R. tigrinus; and 3) geographic variation in toad BD profiles is partially reflected in the variation of snake BD profiles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takato Inoue
- Division of Applied Life Science, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Sakyo, Kyoto, 606-8502, Japan
| | - Ryu Nakata
- Division of Applied Life Science, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Sakyo, Kyoto, 606-8502, Japan
- Department of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Kyoto University of Advanced Science, 1-1 Nanjo Otani, Sogabe, Kameoka, Kyoto, 621-8555, Japan
| | - Alan H Savitzky
- Department of Biology, Utah State University, Logan, UT, 84322-5305, USA
| | - Naoko Yoshinaga
- Division of Applied Life Science, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Sakyo, Kyoto, 606-8502, Japan
| | - Akira Mori
- Department of Zoology, Graduate School of Science, Kyoto University, Sakyo, Kyoto, 606-8502, Japan
| | - Naoki Mori
- Division of Applied Life Science, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Sakyo, Kyoto, 606-8502, Japan.
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Quo vadis Cardiac Glycoside Research? Toxins (Basel) 2021; 13:toxins13050344. [PMID: 34064873 PMCID: PMC8151307 DOI: 10.3390/toxins13050344] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2021] [Revised: 05/07/2021] [Accepted: 05/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Cardiac glycosides (CGs), toxins well-known for numerous human and cattle poisoning, are natural compounds, the biosynthesis of which occurs in various plants and animals as a self-protective mechanism to prevent grazing and predation. Interestingly, some insect species can take advantage of the CG’s toxicity and by absorbing them, they are also protected from predation. The mechanism of action of CG’s toxicity is inhibition of Na+/K+-ATPase (the sodium-potassium pump, NKA), which disrupts the ionic homeostasis leading to elevated Ca2+ concentration resulting in cell death. Thus, NKA serves as a molecular target for CGs (although it is not the only one) and even though CGs are toxic for humans and some animals, they can also be used as remedies for various diseases, such as cardiovascular ones, and possibly cancer. Although the anticancer mechanism of CGs has not been fully elucidated, yet, it is thought to be connected with the second role of NKA being a receptor that can induce several cell signaling cascades and even serve as a growth factor and, thus, inhibit cancer cell proliferation at low nontoxic concentrations. These growth inhibitory effects are often observed only in cancer cells, thereby, offering a possibility for CGs to be repositioned for cancer treatment serving not only as chemotherapeutic agents but also as immunogenic cell death triggers. Therefore, here, we report on CG’s chemical structures, production optimization, and biological activity with possible use in cancer therapy, as well as, discuss their antiviral potential which was discovered quite recently. Special attention has been devoted to digitoxin, digoxin, and ouabain.
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Li FJ, Hu JH, Ren X, Zhou CM, Liu Q, Zhang YQ. Toad venom: A comprehensive review of chemical constituents, anticancer activities, and mechanisms. Arch Pharm (Weinheim) 2021; 354:e2100060. [PMID: 33887066 DOI: 10.1002/ardp.202100060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2021] [Revised: 03/21/2021] [Accepted: 03/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Toad venom, a traditional natural medicine, has been used for hundreds of years in China for treating different diseases. Many studies have been performed to elucidate the cardiotonic and analgesic activities of toad venom. Until the last decade, an increasing number of studies have documented that toad venom is a source of lead compound(s) for the development of potential cancer treatment drugs. Research has shown that toad venom contains 96 types of bufadienolide monomers and 23 types of indole alkaloids, such as bufalin, cinobufagin, arenobufagin, and resibufogenin, which exhibit a wide range of anticancer activities in vitro and, in particular, in vivo for a range of cancers. The main antitumor mechanisms are likely to be apoptosis or/and autophagy induction, cell cycle arrest, cell metastasis suppression, reversal of drug resistance, or growth inhibition of cancer cells. This review summarizes the chemical constituents of toad venom, analyzing their anticancer activities and molecular mechanisms for cancer treatments. We also outline the importance of further studies regarding the material basis and anticancer mechanisms of toad venom.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fang-Jie Li
- College of Pharmacy, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China
| | - Jing-Hong Hu
- College of Pharmacy, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China.,Shandong Provincial Collaborative Innovation Center for Quality Control and Construction of the Whole Industrial Chain of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China
| | - Xin Ren
- College of Pharmacy, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China
| | - Cheng-Mei Zhou
- College of Pharmacy, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China
| | - Qian Liu
- College of Pharmacy, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China.,Shandong Provincial Collaborative Innovation Center for Quality Control and Construction of the Whole Industrial Chain of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China
| | - Yong-Qing Zhang
- College of Pharmacy, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China.,Shandong Provincial Collaborative Innovation Center for Quality Control and Construction of the Whole Industrial Chain of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China
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Tan MS, Carranza MS, Linis V, Malabed R, Reyes YA, Franco F, Oyong G. Antioxidant, cytotoxic, and anti-venom activity of Alstonia parvifolia Merr. Bark. Asian Pac J Trop Biomed 2021. [DOI: 10.4103/2221-1691.326100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
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17
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Application of pharmacodynamics-based optimization to the extraction of bioactive compounds from Chansu. Microchem J 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.microc.2020.105552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
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18
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Zhao LJ, Zhao HY, Wei XL, Guo FF, Wei JY, Wang HJ, Yang J, Yang ZG, Si N, Bian BL. The lipid homeostasis regulation study of arenobufagin in zebrafish HepG2 xenograft model and HepG2 cells using integrated lipidomics-proteomics approach. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2020; 260:112943. [PMID: 32422359 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2020.112943] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2020] [Revised: 04/30/2020] [Accepted: 04/30/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Arenobufagin (ArBu) is an important anti-tumor ingredient of Chan'su which has long been used as traditional Chinese medicine in clinic for tumor therapy in China. AIM OF THE STUDY The purpose of our study is to investigate the lipid homeostasis regulation effects of ArBu on zebrafish model of liver cancer and hepatoma cells, and to provide a reference for further clarifying its active mechanisms. MATERIALS AND METHODS The zebrafish xenograft model was established by injecting HepG2 cells stained with CM-Dil red fluorescent dye. Both the xenograft model and HepG2 cells were used to evaluate the anti-hepatoma activity of ArBu. High performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS) was the main method to study lipidomics, proteomics and the semiquantification of endogenous metabolites. Bioinformatics was used as an assistant tool to further explore the antitumor mechanism of ArBu. RESULTS The lipidomics analysis revealed that ArBu caused differential lipids changes in a dose-dependent manner, including PCs, PEs, TGs, SMs, DGs, Cer and PA. PCs, PEs, SMs and TGs were markedly altered in both two models. The influence of glycerophospholipid metabolism was the major and commonly affected pathway. Notably, DGs and Cer were significantly changed only in HepG2 cells. Furthermore, the proteomics research in HepG2 cells fished the target proteins related to lipid homeostasis abnormalities and tumor suppression. ArBu reduced the expression of 65 differential proteins associated with the lipid metabolism, apoptosis and autophagy, such as LCLAT1, STAT3, TSPO and RPS27. Meanwhile, 7 amino acids of 29 determined metabolites were significantly changed, including tyrosine, glutamate, glutamine, leucine, threonine, arginine and isoleucine. CONCLUSION ArBu has a significant anti-hepatoma effect in vitro and a therapeutic effect on zebrafish xenograft model. It regulated the lipid homeostasis. Activated SM synthase and arginine deiminase, inhibited sphingomyelinase, amino acid supply and JAK-STAT3 signaling pathway, and the affected glycerophospholipid metabolism might explain these results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li-Juan Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Beijing for Identification and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100700, China.
| | - Hai-Yu Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Beijing for Identification and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100700, China.
| | - Xiao-Lu Wei
- Key Laboratory of Beijing for Identification and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100700, China.
| | - Fei-Fei Guo
- Key Laboratory of Beijing for Identification and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100700, China.
| | - Jun-Ying Wei
- Key Laboratory of Beijing for Identification and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100700, China.
| | - Hong-Jie Wang
- Key Laboratory of Beijing for Identification and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100700, China.
| | - Jian Yang
- Key Laboratory of Beijing for Identification and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100700, China.
| | - Zhi-Gang Yang
- School of Pharmacy Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730020, China.
| | - Nan Si
- Key Laboratory of Beijing for Identification and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100700, China.
| | - Bao-Lin Bian
- Key Laboratory of Beijing for Identification and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100700, China.
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Comparative study of the chemical profile of the parotoid gland secretions from Rhaebo guttatus from different regions of the Brazilian Amazon. Toxicon 2020; 179:101-106. [PMID: 32209334 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2020.03.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2019] [Revised: 03/13/2020] [Accepted: 03/14/2020] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Amphibian cutaneous secretion has great potential for bioprospection and is a great tool in the development of bioproducts. Thus, the objective of the present work was to evaluate the comparative study of the chemical profile parotoid gland secretions from Rhaebo guttatus collected in two distinct regions of the Brazilian Amazon. For this, the chemical composition of six methanolic extracts of this species were analyzed by Liquid Chromatography in UV and MS Detection Ultra-Chromatography Systems (UFLC-DAD-micrOTOF). All obtained chromatograms presented two distinct regions; one referring to the more hydrophilic molecules (alkaloids), while the other refers to the more hydrophobic compounds (steroids). The steroid region resembles all samples, regardless of where they were collected. In the alkaloid region, there was a standardized variation for the samples from the southern Brazilian Amazon, but the same was not true for the samples collected in the Amazon-Cerrado transition region. Thus, the data suggest that the environment and diet of R. guttatus may be important in alkaloid production, but do not influence steroid content. These results add new information about the poison of the toad R. guttatus and raises new questions to be further investigated, thus contributing to the knowledge of the anuran fauna of the Brazilian Amazon.
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20
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Zhan X, Wu H, Wu H, Wang R, Luo C, Gao B, Chen Z, Li Q. Metabolites from Bufo gargarizans (Cantor, 1842): A review of traditional uses, pharmacological activity, toxicity and quality control. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2020; 246:112178. [PMID: 31445132 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2019.112178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2019] [Revised: 08/17/2019] [Accepted: 08/21/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Bufo gargarizans (Cantor, 1842) (BGC), a traditional medicinal animal distributed in many provinces of China, is well known for the pharmaceutical value of Chansu and Chanpi. As traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs), Chansu and Chanpi, with their broad-spectrum of therapeutic applications, have long been applied to detoxification, anti-inflammation, analgesia, etc. OVERARCHING OBJECTIVE: We critically analyzed the current evidence for the traditional uses, chemical profiles, pharmacological activity, toxicity and quality control of BGC (Bufonidae family) to provide a scientific basis for future in-depth studies and perspectives for the discovery of potential drug candidates. METHODOLOGY All of the available information on active constituents and TCMs derived from BGC was obtained using the keywords "Bufo gargarizans", "Chansu", "Chanpi", "Huachansu", or "Cinobufacini" through different electronic databases, including PubMed, Web of Science, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), the Wanfang Database, and Pharmacopoeia of China. In addition, Chinese medicine books from different times were used to elucidate the traditional uses of BGC. Electronic databases, including the "IUCN Red List of Threatened Species", "American Museum of Natural History" and "AmphibiaWeb Species Lists", were used to validate the scientific name of BGC. RESULTS To date, about 118 bufadienolide monomers and 11 indole alkaloids have been identified from BGC in total. The extracts and isolated compounds exhibit a wide range of in vitro and in vivo pharmacological effects. The literature search demonstrated that the ethnomedicinal uses of BGC, such as detoxification, anti-inflammation and the ability to reduce swelling and pain associated with infections, are correlated with its modern pharmacological activities, including antitumor, immunomodulation and attenuation of cancer-derived pain. Bufadienolides and indole alkaloids have been regarded as the main active substances in BGC, among which bufadienolides have significant antitumor activity. Furthermore, the cardiotoxicity of bufadienolides was discussed, and the main molecular mechanism involves in the inhibition of Na+/K+-ATPase. Besides, with the development of modern analytical techniques, the quality control methods of BGC-derived TCMs are being improved constantly. CONCLUSIONS An increasing number of reports suggest that BGC can be regarded as an excellent source for exploring the potential antitumor constituents. However, the future antitumor research of BGC needs to follow the standard pharmacology guidelines, so as to provide comprehensive pharmacological information and aid the reproducibility of the data. Besides, to ensure the efficacy and safety of BGC-derived TCMs, it is vital to construct a comprehensive quality evaluation model on the basis of clarifying pharmacodynamic-related and toxicity-related compositions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiang Zhan
- Key Laboratory of Xin'an Medicine, Ministry of Education, Anhui Province Key Laboratory of R&D of Chinese Medicine, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, 230038, China; Scientific Research & Experiment Center, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, 230038, China
| | - Huan Wu
- Key Laboratory of Xin'an Medicine, Ministry of Education, Anhui Province Key Laboratory of R&D of Chinese Medicine, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, 230038, China; Scientific Research & Experiment Center, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, 230038, China; Anhui China Resources Jin Chan Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Huaibei, 235000, China.
| | - Hong Wu
- Key Laboratory of Xin'an Medicine, Ministry of Education, Anhui Province Key Laboratory of R&D of Chinese Medicine, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, 230038, China
| | - Rong Wang
- Anhui China Resources Jin Chan Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Huaibei, 235000, China
| | - Chuan Luo
- Anhui China Resources Jin Chan Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Huaibei, 235000, China
| | - Bo Gao
- Anhui China Resources Jin Chan Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Huaibei, 235000, China
| | - Zhiwu Chen
- Basic Medical College, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, China
| | - Qinglin Li
- Key Laboratory of Xin'an Medicine, Ministry of Education, Anhui Province Key Laboratory of R&D of Chinese Medicine, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, 230038, China; Scientific Research & Experiment Center, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, 230038, China; Anhui China Resources Jin Chan Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Huaibei, 235000, China.
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21
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Cao Y, Cui K, Pan H, Wu J, Wang L. The impact of multiple climatic and geographic factors on the chemical defences of Asian toads (Bufo gargarizans Cantor). Sci Rep 2019; 9:17236. [PMID: 31754241 PMCID: PMC6872595 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-52641-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2019] [Accepted: 09/18/2019] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Chemical defences are widespread in nature, yet we know little about whether and how climatic and geographic factors affect their evolution. In this study, we investigated the natural variation in the concentration and composition of the main bufogenin toxin in adult Asian toads (Bufo gargarizans Cantor) captured in twenty-two regions. Moreover, we explored the relative importance of eight climatic factors (average temperature, maximum temperature, minimum temperature, average relative humidity, 20-20 time precipitation, maximum continuous precipitation, maximum ground temperature, and minimum ground temperature) in regulating toxin production. We found that compared to toads captured from central and southwestern China, toads from eastern China secreted higher concentrations of cinobufagin (CBG) and resibufogenin (RBG) but lower concentrations of telocinobufagin (TBG) and cinobufotalin (CFL). All 8 climatic variables had significant effects on bufogenin production (ri>0.5), while the plastic response of bufogenin toxin to various climate factors was highly variable. The most important climatic driver of total bufogenin production was precipitation: the bufogenin concentration increased with increasing precipitation. This study indicated that the evolution of phenotypic plasticity in chemical defences may depend at least partly on the geographic variation of defensive toxins and their climatic context.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yueting Cao
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Keke Cui
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Hongye Pan
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Jiheng Wu
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Longhu Wang
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China.
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Cao Y, Wu J, Pan H, Wang L. Chemical Profile and Multicomponent Quantitative Analysis for the Quality Evaluation of Toad Venom from Different Origins. Molecules 2019; 24:E3595. [PMID: 31590467 PMCID: PMC6804263 DOI: 10.3390/molecules24193595] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2019] [Revised: 10/01/2019] [Accepted: 10/03/2019] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Toad venom (Chansu), a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), has been widely used for treating various cancer. However, it is considerably difficult to evaluate the quality of Chansu due to its complex chemical compositions. Hence, finding the characteristic ingredients and developing a scientific and comprehensive quality evaluation method are essential for guaranteeing the safety and efficacy of Chansu. In this paper, the chemical composition database of Chansu was successfully established and HPLC-ESI-Q-TOF-MS/MS was applied for chemical profiling of the ingredients in Chansu. In total, 157 compounds were identified, including 22 amino acids, 8 alkaloids, 54 bufogenins, 63 bufotoxins, and 10 other compounds. Furthermore, HPLC fingerprints and quantitative analysis of its multicomponent were successfully developed to evaluate the quality consistency of Chansu from different origins. The results suggested that the HPLC fingerprint of Chansu could be divided into an amino acid and alkaloid region, as well as a bufogenins and bufotoxins region. The fingerprint profile of Chansu from different geographical origins were different, indicating that its quality was affected by the geographical factors. In addition, seven characteristic peaks were selected as the quantitative markers to evaluate the quality of the Chansu. The Kruskal-Wallis test illustrated that the contents of seven bufogenins in Chansu were significantly (p < 0.01) different among different origins. The total contents of the seven compounds ranged from 100.40 to 169.22 mg/g in 20 batches of Chansu samples. This study demonstrated that integrating HPLC-ESI-Q-TOF-MS/MS, HPLC fingerprints, and multicomponent quantitative analysis coupled with chemometrics was a comprehensive and reliable strategy for evaluation of Chansu in both qualitative and quantitative aspects. In addition, our study represented the most comprehensive characterization on the chemical compositions of Chansu, which could provide important reference information for the discovery of potential bioactive compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yueting Cao
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China.
| | - Jiheng Wu
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China.
| | - Hongye Pan
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China.
| | - Longhu Wang
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China.
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Li H, Cao X, Chen X, Yi X, Xia J, Chen J, Yang L. Bufadienolides induce apoptosis and autophagy by inhibiting the AKT signaling pathway in melanoma A‑375 cells. Mol Med Rep 2019; 20:2347-2354. [PMID: 31322190 DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2019.10452] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2018] [Accepted: 04/04/2019] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effect of bufadienolides on the A‑375 melanoma cell line, and to delineate the underlying mechanism. A Cell Counting Kit‑8 assay was used to determine the viability of the cells, and flow cytometry was used to evaluate apoptosis. Western blot analysis was used to evaluate the expression levels of proteins involved in the AKT pathway that are associated with apoptosis and autophagy. The results demonstrated that bufadienolides reduced the viability of A‑375 cells in a dose‑ and a time‑dependent manner. Following treatment with bufadienolides, A‑375 cells exhibited clear properties that were characteristic of apoptosis and autophagy. The expression levels of the pro‑apoptotic proteins Bax and p53 were upregulated, whereas those of the anti‑apoptotic proteins, Bcl‑2 and caspase‑3 were downregulated. In addition, the level of a protein known to be associated with autophagy, microtubule‑associated proteins 1A/1B light chain 3‑II, was increased, whereas that of p62 protein was reduced. Finally, the AKT signaling pathway was blocked in the bufadienolide‑treated A‑375 cells. In conclusion, these results revealed that bufadienolides effectively induced apoptosis and autophagy in A‑375 cells via the AKT pathway, and therefore may be one of the candidate targets for the future development of targeted drugs to treat melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huannan Li
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan 610075, P.R. China
| | - Xiaoren Cao
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan 610075, P.R. China
| | - Xiongbing Chen
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan 610075, P.R. China
| | - Xiaohong Yi
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan 610075, P.R. China
| | - Jun Xia
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan 610075, P.R. China
| | - Jilan Chen
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan 610075, P.R. China
| | - Lan Yang
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan 610075, P.R. China
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Tóth Z, Kurali A, Móricz ÁM, Hettyey A. Changes in Toxin Quantities Following Experimental Manipulation of Toxin Reserves in Bufo bufo Tadpoles. J Chem Ecol 2019; 45:253-263. [PMID: 30684072 PMCID: PMC6477007 DOI: 10.1007/s10886-019-01045-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2018] [Revised: 10/25/2018] [Accepted: 01/06/2019] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Possessing toxins can contribute to an efficient defence against various threats in nature. However, we generally know little about the energy- and time-demands of developing toxicity in animals, which determines the efficiency of chemical defence and its trade-off with other risk-induced phenotypic responses. In this study we examined how immersion into norepinephrine solution inducing the release of stored toxins, administration of mild stress mimicking predator attack or simple handling during experimental procedure affected the quantity and number of toxin compounds present in common toad (Bufo bufo) tadpoles as compared to undisturbed control individuals, and investigated how fast toxin reserves were restored. We found that total bufadienolide quantity (TBQ) significantly decreased only in the norepinephrine treatment group immediately after treatment compared to the control, but this difference disappeared after 12 h; there were no consistent differences in TBQ between treatments at later samplings. Interestingly, in the norepinephrine treatment approximately half of the compounds characterized by >700 m/z values showed the same changes in time as TBQ, but several bufadienolides characterized by <600 m/z values showed the opposite pattern: they were present in higher quantities immediately after treatment. The number of bufadienolide compounds was not affected by any treatments, but was positively related to TBQ. Our study represents the first experimental evidence that toxin quantities returned to the original level following induced toxin release within a very short period of time in common toad tadpoles and provide additional insights into the physiological background of chemical defence in this model vertebrate species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zoltán Tóth
- Lendület Evolutionary Ecology Research Group, Plant Protection Institute, Centre for Agricultural Research, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Herman Ottó Str. 15, Budapest, H-1022, Hungary.
| | - Anikó Kurali
- Lendület Evolutionary Ecology Research Group, Plant Protection Institute, Centre for Agricultural Research, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Herman Ottó Str. 15, Budapest, H-1022, Hungary
| | - Ágnes M Móricz
- Department of Pathophysiology, Plant Protection Institute, Centre for Agricultural Research, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Herman Ottó Str. 15, Budapest, H-1022, Hungary
| | - Attila Hettyey
- Lendület Evolutionary Ecology Research Group, Plant Protection Institute, Centre for Agricultural Research, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Herman Ottó Str. 15, Budapest, H-1022, Hungary
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Zhang Y, Yuan B, Takagi N, Wang H, Zhou Y, Si N, Yang J, Wei X, Zhao H, Bian B. Comparative Analysis of Hydrophilic Ingredients in Toad Skin and Toad Venom Using the UHPLC-HR-MS/MS and UPLC-QqQ-MS/MS Methods Together with the Anti-Inflammatory Evaluation of Indolealkylamines. Molecules 2018; 24:molecules24010086. [PMID: 30591646 PMCID: PMC6337282 DOI: 10.3390/molecules24010086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2018] [Revised: 12/21/2018] [Accepted: 12/23/2018] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Toad skin and toad venom, as two kinds of Chinese medicine, are prepared from Bufo bufo gargarizans Cantor and Bufo melanostictus Schneider. However, they display distinct properties in traditional application, and the hydrophilic ingredients are the possible distinguishing chemicals between them. In this work, 36 and 22 hydrophilic components were characterized from toad skin and venom, respectively, by UHPLC-HR-MS/MS, including amino acids, nucleosides, polypeptides, and indolealkylamines (IAAs). Among them, 15 compounds were unambiguously confirmed by comparison with standards. The CID-MS/MS fragmentation behaviors of seven indolealkylamine references were investigated to ascertain three types of structures. Subsequently, 11 high abundance contents of hydrophilic ingredients were determined from 11 batches of toad skin and 4 batches of toad venom by UPLC-QqQ-MS/MS. The quantitative results showed that the content of main IAAs in toad venom was much higher than in skin. In addition, the N-methyl serotonin (free IAA), bufothionine (combined IAA), and total IAAs sample were selected for anti-inflammatory evaluation in lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulated zebrafish embryo models. The obvious anti-inflammatory activities of IAAs were observed, especially for the free IAAs. This study illustrated IAAs were the main distinct hydrophilic components that probably lead to the difference between toad skin and toad venom in traditional applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Zhang
- Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100700, China.
| | - Bo Yuan
- Department of Applied Biochemistry, Tokyo University of Pharmacy & Life Sciences, 1432-1 Horinouchi, Hachioji, Tokyo 192-0392, Japan.
| | - Norio Takagi
- Department of Applied Biochemistry, Tokyo University of Pharmacy & Life Sciences, 1432-1 Horinouchi, Hachioji, Tokyo 192-0392, Japan.
| | - Hongjie Wang
- Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100700, China.
| | - Yanyan Zhou
- Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100700, China.
| | - Nan Si
- Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100700, China.
| | - Jian Yang
- Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100700, China.
| | - Xiaolu Wei
- Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100700, China.
| | - Haiyu Zhao
- Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100700, China.
| | - Baolin Bian
- Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100700, China.
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Zuo W, Li N, Zhao Y, Fu T, Fei W, Yu R, Yang J. Synchronized release of bufadienolides in a stable Lutrol F127 based solid dispersion prepared with spray congealing. Drug Dev Ind Pharm 2018; 44:1817-1825. [DOI: 10.1080/03639045.2018.1503290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Wenbao Zuo
- School of Pharmacy, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, PR China
| | - Na Li
- School of Pharmacy, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, PR China
| | - Yue Zhao
- School of Pharmacy, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, PR China
| | - Tingting Fu
- School of Pharmacy, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, PR China
| | - Wenling Fei
- School of Pharmacy, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, PR China
| | - Rui Yu
- School of Pharmacy, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, PR China
| | - Jianhong Yang
- School of Pharmacy, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, PR China
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The Development of Toad Toxins as Potential Therapeutic Agents. Toxins (Basel) 2018; 10:toxins10080336. [PMID: 30127299 PMCID: PMC6115759 DOI: 10.3390/toxins10080336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2018] [Revised: 08/15/2018] [Accepted: 08/15/2018] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Toxins from toads have long been known to contain rich chemicals with great pharmaceutical potential. Recent studies have shown more than 100 such chemical components, including peptides, steroids, indole alkaloids, bufogargarizanines, organic acids, and others, in the parotoid and skins gland secretions from different species of toads. In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), processed toad toxins have been used for treating various diseases for hundreds of years. Modern studies, including both experimental and clinical trials, have also revealed the molecular mechanisms that support the development of these components into medicines for the treatment of inflammatory diseases and cancers. More recently, there have been studies that demonstrated the therapeutic potential of toxins from other species of toads, such as Australian cane toads. Previous reviews mostly focused on the pharmaceutical effects of the whole extracts from parotoid glands or skins of toads. However, to fully understand the molecular basis of toad toxins in their use for therapy, a comprehensive understanding of the individual compound contained in toad toxins is necessary; thus, this paper seeks to review the recent studies of some typical compounds frequently identified in toad secretions.
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Klupczynska A, Pawlak M, Kokot ZJ, Matysiak J. Application of Metabolomic Tools for Studying Low Molecular-Weight Fraction of Animal Venoms and Poisons. Toxins (Basel) 2018; 10:toxins10080306. [PMID: 30042318 PMCID: PMC6116190 DOI: 10.3390/toxins10080306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2018] [Revised: 06/29/2018] [Accepted: 07/23/2018] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Both venoms and poisonous secretions are complex mixtures that assist in defense, predation, communication, and competition in the animal world. They consist of variable bioactive molecules, such as proteins, peptides, salts and also metabolites. Metabolomics opens up new perspectives for the study of venoms and poisons as it gives an opportunity to investigate their previously unexplored low molecular-weight components. The aim of this article is to summarize the available literature where metabolomic technologies were used for examining the composition of animal venoms and poisons. The paper discusses only the low molecular-weight components of venoms and poisons collected from snakes, spiders, scorpions, toads, frogs, and ants. An overview is given of the analytical strategies used in the analysis of the metabolic content of the samples. We paid special attention to the classes of compounds identified in various venoms and poisons and potential applications of the small molecules (especially bufadienolides) discovered. The issues that should be more effectively addressed in the studies of animal venoms and poisons include challenges related to sample collection and preparation, species-related chemical diversity of compounds building the metabolome and a need of an online database that would enhance identification of small molecule components of these secretions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agnieszka Klupczynska
- Department of Inorganic & Analytical Chemistry, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Grunwaldzka 6 Street, 60-780 Poznan, Poland.
| | - Magdalena Pawlak
- Department of Inorganic & Analytical Chemistry, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Grunwaldzka 6 Street, 60-780 Poznan, Poland.
| | - Zenon J Kokot
- Department of Inorganic & Analytical Chemistry, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Grunwaldzka 6 Street, 60-780 Poznan, Poland.
| | - Jan Matysiak
- Department of Inorganic & Analytical Chemistry, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Grunwaldzka 6 Street, 60-780 Poznan, Poland.
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PH-zone-refining counter-current chromatography with a hydrophilic organic/salt-containing two-phase solvent system for preparative separation of polar alkaloids from natural products. J Chromatogr A 2018; 1553:1-6. [DOI: 10.1016/j.chroma.2018.04.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2017] [Revised: 12/10/2017] [Accepted: 04/02/2018] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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Ren W, Han L, Luo M, Bian B, Guan M, Yang H, Han C, Li N, Li T, Li S, Zhang Y, Zhao Z, Zhao H. Multi-component identification and target cell-based screening of potential bioactive compounds in toad venom by UPLC coupled with high-resolution LTQ-Orbitrap MS and high-sensitivity Qtrap MS. Anal Bioanal Chem 2018; 410:4419-4435. [DOI: 10.1007/s00216-018-1097-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2018] [Revised: 04/11/2018] [Accepted: 04/17/2018] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
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Kowalski K, Marciniak P, Rosiński G, Rychlik L. Toxic activity and protein identification from the parotoid gland secretion of the common toad Bufo bufo. Comp Biochem Physiol C Toxicol Pharmacol 2018; 205:43-52. [PMID: 29382576 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpc.2018.01.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2017] [Revised: 01/24/2018] [Accepted: 01/25/2018] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Anuran toxins released from the skin glands are involved in defence against predators and microorganisms. Secretion from parotoid macroglands of bufonid toads is a rich source of bioactive compounds with the cytotoxic, cardiotoxic and hemolytic activity. Bufadienolides are considered the most toxic components of the toad poison, whereas the protein properties are largely unknown. In the present work, we analysed the cardio-, myo-, and neurotropic activity of extract and the selected proteins from Bufo bufo parotoids in in vitro physiological bioassays carried out on two standard model organisms: beetles and frogs. Our results demonstrate a strong cardioactivity of B. bufo gland extract. The toad poison stimulates (by 16%) the contractility of the insect heart and displays the cardioinhibitory effect on the frog heartbeat frequency (a 27% decrease), coupled with an irreversible cardiac arrest. The gland extract also exhibits significant myotropic properties (a 10% decrease in the muscle contraction force), whereas its neuroactivity remains low (a 4% decrease in the nerve conduction velocity). Among identified peptides present in the B. bufo parotoid extract are serine proteases, muscle creatine kinase, phospholipid hydroperoxide glutathione peroxidase, cytotoxic T-lymphocyte protein, etc. Some proteins contribute to the cardioinhibitory effect. Certain compounds display the paralytic (myo- and neurotropic) properties. As the toad gland extract exhibits a strong cardiotoxic activity, we conclude that the poison is a potent agent capable of slaying a predator. Our results also provide the guides for the use of toad poison-peptides in therapeutics and new drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Krzysztof Kowalski
- Department of Systematic Zoology, Institute of Environmental Biology, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Umultowska 89, Poznań 61-614, Poland.
| | - Paweł Marciniak
- Department of Animal Physiology and Development, Institute of Experimental Biology, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Umultowska 89, Poznań 61-614, Poland.
| | - Grzegorz Rosiński
- Department of Animal Physiology and Development, Institute of Experimental Biology, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Umultowska 89, Poznań 61-614, Poland.
| | - Leszek Rychlik
- Department of Systematic Zoology, Institute of Environmental Biology, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Umultowska 89, Poznań 61-614, Poland.
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Yuan X, Xie Q, Su K, Li Z, Dong D, Wu B. Systemic delivery of the anticancer agent arenobufagin using polymeric nanomicelles. Int J Nanomedicine 2017; 12:4981-4989. [PMID: 28761339 PMCID: PMC5516778 DOI: 10.2147/ijn.s139128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Arenobufagin (ABG) is a major active component of toad venom, a traditional Chinese medicine used for cancer therapy. However, poor aqueous solubility limits its pharmacological studies in vivo due to administration difficulties. In this study, we aimed to develop a polymeric nanomicelle (PN) system to enhance the solubility of ABG for effective intravenous delivery. ABG-loaded PNs (ABG-PNs) were prepared with methoxy poly (ethylene glycol)-block-poly (d,l-lactic-co-glycolic acid) (mPEG-PLGA) using the solvent-diffusion technique. The obtained ABG-PNs were 105 nm in size with a small polydispersity index of 0.08. The entrapment efficiency and drug loading were 71.9% and 4.58%, respectively. Cellular uptake of ABG-PNs was controlled by specific clathrin-mediated endocytosis. In addition, ABG-PNs showed improved drug pharmacokinetics with an increased area under the curve value (a 1.73-fold increase) and a decreased elimination clearance (37.8% decrease). The nanomicelles showed increased drug concentrations in the liver and lung. In contrast, drug concentrations in both heart and brain were decreased. Moreover, the nanomicelles enhanced the anticancer effect of the pure drug probably via increased cellular uptake of drug molecules. In conclusion, the mPEG-PLGA-based nanomicelle system is a satisfactory carrier for the systemic delivery of ABG.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xue Yuan
- Research Center for Biopharmaceutics and Pharmacokinetics, College of Pharmacy.,Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Pharmacodynamic Constituents of TCM and New Drugs Research
| | - Qian Xie
- Research Center for Biopharmaceutics and Pharmacokinetics, College of Pharmacy
| | - Keyu Su
- Research Center for Biopharmaceutics and Pharmacokinetics, College of Pharmacy
| | - Zhijie Li
- International Ocular Surface Research Centre and Institute of Ophthalmology, School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Dong Dong
- International Ocular Surface Research Centre and Institute of Ophthalmology, School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Baojian Wu
- Research Center for Biopharmaceutics and Pharmacokinetics, College of Pharmacy.,Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Pharmacodynamic Constituents of TCM and New Drugs Research
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Liang G, Chung T, Guo J, Zhang R, Xü W, Tzen JTC, Jiang R. Novel cinobufagin oxime ether derivatives as potential Na+/K+-ATPase inhibitors: Synthesis, biological screening and molecular docking. Chem Res Chin Univ 2017. [DOI: 10.1007/s40242-017-6487-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Schmeda-Hirschmann G, Gomez CV, Rojas de Arias A, Burgos-Edwards A, Alfonso J, Rolon M, Brusquetti F, Netto F, Urra FA, Cárdenas C. The Paraguayan Rhinella toad venom: Implications in the traditional medicine and proliferation of breast cancer cells. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2017; 199:106-118. [PMID: 28131913 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2017.01.047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2016] [Revised: 01/20/2017] [Accepted: 01/23/2017] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Toads belonging to genus Rhinella are used in Paraguayan traditional medicine to treat cancer and skin infections. AIM OF THE STUDY The objective of the study was to determine the composition of venoms obtained from three different Paraguayan Rhinella species, to establish the constituents of a preparation sold in the capital city of Paraguay to treat cancer as containing the toad as ingredient, to establish the effect of the most active Rhinella schneideri venom on the cell cycle using human breast cancer cells and to assess the antiprotozoal activity of the venoms. METHODS The venom obtained from the toads parotid glands was analyzed by HPLC-MS-MS. The preparation sold in the capital city of Paraguay to treat cancer that is advertised as made using the toad was analyzed by HPLC-MS-MS. The effect of the R. schneideri venom and the preparation was investigated on human breast cancer cells. The antiprotozoal activity was evaluated on Leishmania braziliensis, L. infantum and murine macrophages. RESULTS From the venoms of R. ornata, R. schneideri and R. scitula, some 40 compounds were identified by spectroscopic and spectrometric means. Several minor constituents are reported for the first time. The preparation sold as made from the toad did not contained bufadienolides or compounds that can be associated with the toad but plant compounds, mainly phenolics and flavonoids. The venom showed activity on human breast cancer cells and modified the cell cycle proliferation. The antiprotozoal effect was higher for the R. schneideri venom and can be related to the composition and relative ratio of constituents compared with R. ornata and R. scitula. CONCLUSIONS The preparation sold in the capital city of Paraguay as containing the toad venom, used popularly to treat cancer did not contain the toad venom constituents. Consistent with this, this preparation was inactive on proliferation of human breast cancer cells. In contrast, the toad venoms of Rhinella species altered the cell cycle progression, affecting the proliferation of malignant cells. The findings suggest that care should be taken with the providers of the preparation and that the crude drug present a strong activity towards human breast cancer cell lines. The antiprotozoal effect of the R. schneideri venom was moderate while the venom of R. ornata was devoid of activity and that of R. scitula was active at very high concentration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guillermo Schmeda-Hirschmann
- Laboratorio de Química de Productos Naturales, Instituto de Química de Recursos Naturales, Universidad de Talca, Casilla 747, 3460000 Talca, Chile.
| | - Celeste Vega Gomez
- Centro para el Desarrollo de la Investigación Científica (CEDIC), Manduvira 635 entre 15 de Agosto y O` Leary, Barrio La Encarnación, Código Postal: 1255, Asunción, Paraguay
| | - Antonieta Rojas de Arias
- Centro para el Desarrollo de la Investigación Científica (CEDIC), Manduvira 635 entre 15 de Agosto y O` Leary, Barrio La Encarnación, Código Postal: 1255, Asunción, Paraguay
| | - Alberto Burgos-Edwards
- Laboratorio de Química de Productos Naturales, Instituto de Química de Recursos Naturales, Universidad de Talca, Casilla 747, 3460000 Talca, Chile
| | - Jorge Alfonso
- Centro para el Desarrollo de la Investigación Científica (CEDIC), Manduvira 635 entre 15 de Agosto y O` Leary, Barrio La Encarnación, Código Postal: 1255, Asunción, Paraguay
| | - Miriam Rolon
- Centro para el Desarrollo de la Investigación Científica (CEDIC), Manduvira 635 entre 15 de Agosto y O` Leary, Barrio La Encarnación, Código Postal: 1255, Asunción, Paraguay
| | | | - Flavia Netto
- Instituto de Investigación Biológica del Paraguay, CP 1429 Asunción, Paraguay
| | - Félix A Urra
- Programa de Anatomía y Biología del Desarrollo, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas (ICBM), Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile and Geroscience Center for Brain Health and Metabolism, Independencia 1027, Casilla 7, Santiago, Chile
| | - César Cárdenas
- Programa de Anatomía y Biología del Desarrollo, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas (ICBM), Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile and Geroscience Center for Brain Health and Metabolism, Independencia 1027, Casilla 7, Santiago, Chile
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Tang X, Zhang J, Liu L, Yang D, Wang H, He F. Synthesis of 13-substituted derivatives of berberine: Aggregation-induced emission enhancement and pH sensitive property. J Photochem Photobiol A Chem 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jphotochem.2017.01.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
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