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Liang S, Bo H, Zhang Y, Zhen H, Zhong L. Alizarin, an Agonist of AHR Receptor, Enhances CYP1A1 Enzyme Activity and Induces Transcriptional Changes in Hepatoma Cells. Molecules 2023; 28:7373. [PMID: 37959792 PMCID: PMC10650112 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28217373] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2023] [Revised: 10/25/2023] [Accepted: 10/26/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The phytopigment alizarin was previously characterized as an anti-tumor drug owing to its antioxidant or antigenotoxic activities. However, the safety of alizarin is currently still under dispute. In this study, we explored the activity of alizarin in the AHR-CYP1A1 pathway and analyzed the transcriptional changes affected by alizarin using human hepatoma cell line HepG2-based assays. The results showed that alizarin decreased HepG2 cell viability in a dose-dependent manner, with IC50 values between 160.4 and 216.8 μM. Furthermore, alizarin significantly upregulated the expression of CYP1A1 and increased the ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase activity. Alizarin also exhibited agonistic activity toward the AHR receptor in the XRE-mediated luciferase reporter gene assay, which was further confirmed via the molecular docking assay. In addition, the transcriptional analysis indicated that alizarin may act as a potential carcinogen through significantly enriching several items related to cancer in both DO and KEGG analysis. In brief, our findings indicated that alizarin shows agonistic activities to the AHR receptor through activating the AHR-CYP1A1 signaling pathway in HepG2 cells, which may lead to the risks for cancer developing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shengxian Liang
- Institute of Life Sciences and Green Development, College of Life Sciences, Hebei University, Baoding 071000, China; (H.B.); (Y.Z.); (H.Z.)
| | - Haimei Bo
- Institute of Life Sciences and Green Development, College of Life Sciences, Hebei University, Baoding 071000, China; (H.B.); (Y.Z.); (H.Z.)
| | - Yue Zhang
- Institute of Life Sciences and Green Development, College of Life Sciences, Hebei University, Baoding 071000, China; (H.B.); (Y.Z.); (H.Z.)
| | - Hongcheng Zhen
- Institute of Life Sciences and Green Development, College of Life Sciences, Hebei University, Baoding 071000, China; (H.B.); (Y.Z.); (H.Z.)
| | - Li Zhong
- Institute of Life Sciences and Green Development, College of Life Sciences, Hebei University, Baoding 071000, China; (H.B.); (Y.Z.); (H.Z.)
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific, Western University of Health Sciences, Pomona, CA 91766, USA
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Coelho NR, Pimpão AB, Correia MJ, Rodrigues TC, Monteiro EC, Morello J, Pereira SA. Pharmacological blockage of the AHR-CYP1A1 axis: a call for in vivo evidence. J Mol Med (Berl) 2021; 100:215-243. [PMID: 34800164 PMCID: PMC8605459 DOI: 10.1007/s00109-021-02163-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2021] [Revised: 10/27/2021] [Accepted: 11/03/2021] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) is a ligand-activated transcription factor that can be activated by structurally diverse compounds arising from the environment and the microbiota and host metabolism. Expanding evidence has been shown that the modulation of the canonical pathway of AHR occurs during several chronic diseases and that its abrogation might be of clinical interest for metabolic and inflammatory pathological processes. However, most of the evidence on the pharmacological abrogation of the AHR-CYP1A1 axis has been reported in vitro, and therefore, guidance for in vivo studies is needed. In this review, we cover the state-of-the-art of the pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic properties of AHR antagonists and CYP1A1 inhibitors in different in vivo rodent (mouse or rat) models of disease. This review will serve as a road map for those researchers embracing this emerging therapeutic area targeting the AHR. Moreover, it is a timely opportunity as the first AHR antagonists have recently entered the clinical stage of drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- N R Coelho
- CEDOC, NOVA Medical School, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, 1169-056, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - A B Pimpão
- CEDOC, NOVA Medical School, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, 1169-056, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - M J Correia
- CEDOC, NOVA Medical School, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, 1169-056, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - T C Rodrigues
- CEDOC, NOVA Medical School, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, 1169-056, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - E C Monteiro
- CEDOC, NOVA Medical School, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, 1169-056, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - J Morello
- CEDOC, NOVA Medical School, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, 1169-056, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - S A Pereira
- CEDOC, NOVA Medical School, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, 1169-056, Lisboa, Portugal.
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Singh J, Hussain Y, Luqman S, Meena A. Purpurin: A natural anthraquinone with multifaceted pharmacological activities. Phytother Res 2021; 35:2418-2428. [PMID: 33254282 DOI: 10.1002/ptr.6965] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2020] [Revised: 10/09/2020] [Accepted: 11/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Purpurin is a naturally occurring anthraquinone isolated from the roots of Rubia cordifolia. Historically, it has been used as a red dye. However, its photosensitizing property and biological effects have deciphered its novel application. Purpurin shows antigenotoxic, anticancer, neuromodulatory, and antimicrobial potential associated with antioxidant action in in vivo and in vitro experiments. A robust antioxidant nature of purpurin is responsible for the majority of its pharmacological effects. It produces anti-inflammatory activity by reducing oxidative stress, which is a fundamental property to target diseases involving endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondrial stress. It can cross the blood-brain barrier and produce neuroprotective effects, including antidepressant and anti-Alzheimer action. It shows antimutagenic property via inhibiting essential CYP-450 enzymes. Interestingly, it gets photosensitized by UV-light and produces target-specific ROS-dependent apoptosis in cancer cells. Therefore, it owns cell killing and cell survival potential subject to the influence of external conditions. Hitherto, limited research studies are performed with purpurin to understand its therapeutic potential. Hence, this review describes and discusses different in vivo, in vitro, and in silico studies performed using purpurin. It also covers physicochemical, pharmacokinetics, and toxicology aspects of purpurin. Moreover, in the end, the prospect of purpurin in the management of cancer has also been proposed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jyoti Singh
- Bioprospection and Product Development Division, CSIR-Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India
- Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India
| | - Yusuf Hussain
- Bioprospection and Product Development Division, CSIR-Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Suaib Luqman
- Bioprospection and Product Development Division, CSIR-Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Abha Meena
- Bioprospection and Product Development Division, CSIR-Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, India
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Coelho NR, Matos C, Pimpão AB, Correia MJ, Sequeira CO, Morello J, Pereira SA, Monteiro EC. AHR canonical pathway: in vivo findings to support novel antihypertensive strategies. Pharmacol Res 2021; 165:105407. [PMID: 33418029 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2020.105407] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2020] [Revised: 12/27/2020] [Accepted: 12/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Essential hypertension (HTN) is a disease where genetic and environmental factors interact to produce a high prevalent set of almost indistinguishable phenotypes. The weak definition of what is under the umbrella of HTN is a consequence of the lack of knowledge on the players involved in environment-gene interaction and their impact on blood pressure (BP) and mechanisms. The disclosure of these mechanisms that sense and (mal)adapt to toxic-environmental stimuli might at least determine some phenotypes of essential HTN and will have important therapeutic implications. In the present manuscript, we looked closer to the environmental sensor aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR), a ligand-activated transcription factor involved in cardiovascular physiology, but better known by its involvement in biotransformation of xenobiotics through its canonical pathway. This review aims to disclose the contribution of the AHR-canonical pathway to HTN. For better mirror the complexity of the mechanisms involved in BP regulation, we privileged evidence from in vivo studies. Here we ascertained the level of available evidence and a comprehensive characterization of the AHR-related phenotype of HTN. We reviewed clinical and rodent studies on AHR-HTN genetic association and on AHR ligands and their impact on BP. We concluded that AHR is a druggable mechanistic linker of environmental exposure to HTN. We conclude that is worth to investigate the canonical pathway of AHR and the expression/polymorphisms of its related genes and/or other biomarkers (e.g. tryptophan-related ligands), in order to identify patients that may benefit from an AHR-centered antihypertensive treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nuno R Coelho
- Translational Pharmacology Lab, CEDOC, Chronic Diseases Research Centre, NOVA Medical School
- Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Campo Mártires da Pátria, 130, Lisboa, 1169-056, Portugal
| | - Clara Matos
- Translational Pharmacology Lab, CEDOC, Chronic Diseases Research Centre, NOVA Medical School
- Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Campo Mártires da Pátria, 130, Lisboa, 1169-056, Portugal
| | - António B Pimpão
- Translational Pharmacology Lab, CEDOC, Chronic Diseases Research Centre, NOVA Medical School
- Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Campo Mártires da Pátria, 130, Lisboa, 1169-056, Portugal
| | - M João Correia
- Translational Pharmacology Lab, CEDOC, Chronic Diseases Research Centre, NOVA Medical School
- Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Campo Mártires da Pátria, 130, Lisboa, 1169-056, Portugal
| | - Catarina O Sequeira
- Translational Pharmacology Lab, CEDOC, Chronic Diseases Research Centre, NOVA Medical School
- Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Campo Mártires da Pátria, 130, Lisboa, 1169-056, Portugal
| | - Judit Morello
- Translational Pharmacology Lab, CEDOC, Chronic Diseases Research Centre, NOVA Medical School
- Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Campo Mártires da Pátria, 130, Lisboa, 1169-056, Portugal
| | - Sofia A Pereira
- Translational Pharmacology Lab, CEDOC, Chronic Diseases Research Centre, NOVA Medical School
- Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Campo Mártires da Pátria, 130, Lisboa, 1169-056, Portugal.
| | - Emília C Monteiro
- Translational Pharmacology Lab, CEDOC, Chronic Diseases Research Centre, NOVA Medical School
- Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Campo Mártires da Pátria, 130, Lisboa, 1169-056, Portugal
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Friedman M, Xu A, Lee R, N. Nguyen D, A. Phan T, M. Hamada S, Panchel R, C. Tam C, H. Kim J, W. Cheng L, M. Land K. The Inhibitory Activity of Anthraquinones against Pathogenic Protozoa, Bacteria, and Fungi and the Relationship to Structure. Molecules 2020; 25:molecules25133101. [PMID: 32646028 PMCID: PMC7411742 DOI: 10.3390/molecules25133101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2020] [Revised: 07/01/2020] [Accepted: 07/02/2020] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Plant-derived anthraquinones were evaluated in cell assays for their inhibitory activities against the parasitic protozoa Trichomonas vaginalis human strain G3 that causes the sexually transmitted disease trichomoniasis in women, Tritrichomonas foetus bovine strain D1 that causes sexually transmitted diseases in farm animals (bulls, cows, and pigs), Tritrichomonas foetus-like strain C1 that causes diarrhea in domestic animals (cats and dogs), and bacteria and fungi. The anthraquinones assessed for their inhibitory activity were anthraquinone, aloe-emodin (1,8-dihydroxy-3-hydroxymethylanthraquinone), anthrarufin (1,5-dihydroxyanthraquinone), chrysazin (1,8-dihydroxyanthraquinone), emodin (1,3,8-trihydroxy-6-methylanthraquinone), purpurin (1,2,4-trihydroxyanthraquinone), and rhein (1,8-dihydroxy-3-carboxyanthraquinone). Their activities were determined in terms of IC50 values, defined as the concentration that inhibits 50% of the cells under the test conditions and calculated from linear dose response plots for the parasitic protozoa, and zone of inhibition for bacteria and fungi, respectively. The results show that the different substituents on the anthraquinone ring seem to influence the relative potency. Analysis of the structure–activity relationships in protozoa indicates that the aloe-emodin and chrysazin with the highest biological activities merit further study for their potential to help treat the diseases in women and domestic and farm animals. Emodin also exhibited antifungal activity against Candida albicans. The suggested mechanism of action and the additional reported beneficial biological properties of anthraquinones suggest that they have the potential to ameliorate a broad spectrum of human diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mendel Friedman
- Healthy Processed Foods Research Unit, Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Albany, CA 94710, USA
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-510-559-5615
| | - Alexander Xu
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of the Pacific, Stockton, CA 95211, USA; (A.X.); (R.L.); (D.N.N.); (T.A.P.); (S.M.H.); (R.P.); (K.M.L.)
| | - Rani Lee
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of the Pacific, Stockton, CA 95211, USA; (A.X.); (R.L.); (D.N.N.); (T.A.P.); (S.M.H.); (R.P.); (K.M.L.)
| | - Daniel N. Nguyen
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of the Pacific, Stockton, CA 95211, USA; (A.X.); (R.L.); (D.N.N.); (T.A.P.); (S.M.H.); (R.P.); (K.M.L.)
| | - Tina A. Phan
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of the Pacific, Stockton, CA 95211, USA; (A.X.); (R.L.); (D.N.N.); (T.A.P.); (S.M.H.); (R.P.); (K.M.L.)
| | - Sabrina M. Hamada
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of the Pacific, Stockton, CA 95211, USA; (A.X.); (R.L.); (D.N.N.); (T.A.P.); (S.M.H.); (R.P.); (K.M.L.)
| | - Rima Panchel
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of the Pacific, Stockton, CA 95211, USA; (A.X.); (R.L.); (D.N.N.); (T.A.P.); (S.M.H.); (R.P.); (K.M.L.)
| | - Christina C. Tam
- Foodborne Toxins Detection and Prevention Research Unit, Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Albany, CA 94710, USA; (C.C.T.); (J.H.K.); (L.W.C.)
| | - Jong H. Kim
- Foodborne Toxins Detection and Prevention Research Unit, Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Albany, CA 94710, USA; (C.C.T.); (J.H.K.); (L.W.C.)
| | - Luisa W. Cheng
- Foodborne Toxins Detection and Prevention Research Unit, Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Albany, CA 94710, USA; (C.C.T.); (J.H.K.); (L.W.C.)
| | - Kirkwood M. Land
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of the Pacific, Stockton, CA 95211, USA; (A.X.); (R.L.); (D.N.N.); (T.A.P.); (S.M.H.); (R.P.); (K.M.L.)
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Sugiyama KI, Furusawa H, Grúz P, Honma M. Detection of epigenetic mutagens including anthracene-derived compounds using yeast FLO1 promoter GFP reporter gene assay. Mutagenesis 2017; 32:429-435. [DOI: 10.1093/mutage/gex009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
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Nam W, Kim SP, Nam SH, Friedman M. Structure-Antioxidative and Anti-Inflammatory Activity Relationships of Purpurin and Related Anthraquinones in Chemical and Cell Assays. Molecules 2017; 22:E265. [PMID: 28208613 PMCID: PMC6155578 DOI: 10.3390/molecules22020265] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2016] [Revised: 02/06/2017] [Accepted: 02/08/2017] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Anthraquinone (9,10-anthraquinone) and several hydroxy derivatives, including purpurin (1,2,4-trihydroxyanthraquinone), anthrarufin (1,5-dihydroxyanthraquinone), and chrysazin (1,8-dihydroxyanthraquinone), were evaluated for antioxidative and anti-inflammatory activities in chemical assays and mammalian cells (murine macrophage RAW 264.7 cells). Several tests were used to assess their activities: 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical; ABTS radical cation; hydrogen peroxide scavenging; reduction of potassium ferricyanide; chelation of ferrous ions; inhibition of lipid peroxidation; inhibition of nitric oxide generation; scavenging of the intracellular hydroxyl radical; expression of NLRP3 polypeptide for inflammasome assembly; and quantitation of proinflammatory cytokine interleukin 1β (IL-1β) for inflammasome activation. The results show that purpurin, from the root of the madder plant (Rubia tinctorum L.), exhibited the highest antioxidative activity in both chemical and cultured cell antioxidant assays. The antioxidative activities of the other three anthraquinones were lower than that of purpurin. In addition, purpurin could down-regulate NLRP3 inflammasome assembly and activation, suggesting that it might protect foods against oxidative damage and prevent in vivo oxidative stress and inflammation. Structure-activity relationships and the significance of the results for food quality and human health are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Woo Nam
- Department of Biological Science, Ajou University, Suwon 16499, Korea.
| | - Sung Phil Kim
- Research Institute of Basic Sciences, Ajou University, Suwon 16499, Korea.
- STR Biotech. Ltd., Chuncheon 24232, Korea.
| | - Seok Hyun Nam
- Department of Biological Science, Ajou University, Suwon 16499, Korea.
| | - Mendel Friedman
- Western Regional Research Center, Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Albany, CA 94710, USA.
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Fang X, Nunoshiba T, Yoshida M, Nishikawa A, Nemoto K, Degawa M, Arimoto S, Okamoto K, Takahashi E, Negishi T. Effects of Oral Administration of Non-genotoxic Hepato-hypertrophic Compounds on Metabolic Potency of Rat Liver. Genes Environ 2014. [DOI: 10.3123/jemsge.2013.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
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Flumequine enhances the in vivo mutagenicity of MeIQx in the mouse liver. Arch Toxicol 2013; 87:1609-19. [DOI: 10.1007/s00204-013-1064-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2013] [Accepted: 04/23/2013] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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