A pharmacological review of dicoumarol: An old natural anticoagulant agent

Benzopyrone, a privileged scaffold in drug discovery: An overview of FDA-approved drugs and clinical candidates

Natural products have always served as an important source of drugs for treating various diseases. Among various privileged natural product scaffolds, the benzopyrone class of compounds has a substantial presence among biologically active compounds. One of the pioneering anticoagulant drugs, warfarin approved in 1954 bears a benzo-α-pyrone (coumarin) nucleus. The widely investigated psoriasis drugs, methoxsalen, and trioxsalen, also contain a benzo-α-pyrone nucleus. Benzo-γ-pyrone (chromone) containing drugs, cromoglic acid, and pranlukast were approved as treatments for asthma in 1982 and 2007, respectively. Numerous other small molecules with a benzopyrone core are under clinical investigation. The present review discusses the discovery, absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion properties, and synthetic approaches for the Food and Drug Administration-approved and clinical-stage benzopyrone class of compounds. The role of the pyrone core in biological activity has also been discussed. The present review unravels the potential of benzopyrone core in medicinal chemistry and drug development.

Room-Temperature Cascade Electrophilic Addition/Cyclization/Oxidation Reactions: Divergent Selective Synthesis of Brominated 2H-Chromenes, 2H-Chromen-2-ols and 2H-Chromen-2-ones

The room temperature metal-free cascade electrophilic addition/cyclization/oxidation reactions of (3-phenoxyprop-1-yn-1-yl)benzenes to divergently synthesize various brominated benzopyran derivatives (3-bromo-2H-chromenes, 3-bromo-2H-chromen-2-ols and 3-bromo coumarins) by tuning the amount of Br2 and H2O have been developed. The method exhibited high selectivity, mild reaction conditions, broad substrate scope, high efficiency, and the applicability for derivatization of the brominated products. The importance of the strategies provides a great advantage for selective synthesis of brominated benzopyran derivatives.

L-Proline-catalysed synthesis of chromeno[2,3-b]chromene from 4-hydroxy-2H-chromene-2-thione and an anti-proliferative study

The reactivity of 4-hydroxy-2H-chromene-2-thione is investigated with aryl aldehydes and 5,5-dimethylcylohexane-1,3-dione (dimedone) in the presence of 20 mol% L-proline in toluene at 90 °C. Instead of the expected linear product with a sulphur atom in the ring provided by 4-hydroxydithiocoumarin or an angular product obtained from 4-hydroxycoumarin, the hitherto unreported products, 12-aryl substituted chromeno[2,3-b]chromenes (4), were obtained in good to excellent yields. The reaction proceeds through a three-component reaction via Knoevenagel condensation between dimedone with an aromatic aldehyde followed by Michael addition with 4-hydroxy-2H-chromene-2-thione. In addition, a molecular docking study of all the derivatives was performed and among them, four compounds exhibited anti-proliferative activity and elevated ROS generation in breast cancer (MCF7) cell lines.

A dicoumarol-graphene oxide quantum dot polymer inhibits porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus through the JAK-STAT signaling pathway

Introduction

Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) causes substantial economic losses in the global swine industry. The current vaccine options offer limited protection against PRRSV transmission, and there are no effective commercial antivirals available. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop new antiviral strategies that slow global PRRSV transmission.

Methods

In this study, we synthesized a dicoumarol-graphene oxide quantum dot (DIC-GQD) polymer with excellent biocompatibility. This polymer was synthesized via an electrostatic adsorption method using the natural drug DIC and GQDs as raw materials.

Results

Our findings demonstrated that DIC exhibits high anti-PRRSV activity by inhibiting the PRRSV replication stage. The transcriptome sequencing analysis revealed that DIC treatment stimulates genes associated with the Janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription (JAK/STAT) signalling pathway. In porcine alveolar macrophages (PAMs), DIC-GQDs induce TYK2, JAK1, STAT1, and STAT2 phosphorylation, leading to the upregulation of JAK1, STAT1, STAT2, interferon-β (IFN-β) and interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs). Animal challenge experiments further confirmed that DIC-GQDs effectively alleviated clinical symptoms and pathological reactions in the lungs, spleen, and lymph nodes of PRRSV-infected pigs.

Discussion

These findings suggest that DIC-GQDs significantly inhibits PRRSV proliferation by activating the JAK/STAT signalling pathway. Therefore, DIC-GQDs hold promise as an alternative treatment for PRRSV infection.

Synthesis and Antifungal Activity of Coumarin Derivatives Containing Hydrazone Moiety

Plant disease control mainly relies on pesticides. In this study, a series of coumarin derivatives containing hydrazone moiety were designed and synthesized. The synthesized compounds were characterized and used to evaluate the antifungal activity against four pathogens, Botrytis cinerea, Alternaria solani, Fusarium oxysporum, and Alternaria alternata. The results showed that the inhibition rate of some compounds at 100 μg/mL in 96 hours reached around 70 % against A. alternata, higher than that of the positive control. The corresponding EC50 values were found at around 30 μg/mL. Finally, the compound 3 b was screened out with the lowest EC50 value (19.49 μg/mL). The analysis of SEM and TEM confirmed that the compound 3 b can obviously damage the morphological structure of hyphae, resulting in the depletion of the cells by the destruction of morphological matrix and leakage of contents. RNA sequencing showed that compounds 3 b mainly affected the pentose phosphate pathway, which caused to destroy the layer of mitochondrial structure. Molecular docking showed that compounds 3 b fitted the binding pocket of yeast transketolase and interacted with lysine at the hydrazone structure. Our results suggested that the introduction of hydrazone was an effective strategy for the design of novel bioactive compounds.

Revisiting Biginelli-like reactions: solvent effects, mechanisms, biological applications and correction of several literature reports

This study critically reevaluates reported Biginelli-like reactions using a Kamlet-Abboud-Taft-based solvent effect model. Surprisingly, structural misassignments were discovered in certain multicomponent reactions, leading to the identification of pseudo three-component derivatives instead of the expected MCR adducts. Attempts to replicate literature conditions failed, prompting reconsideration of the described MCRs and proposed mechanisms. Electrospray ionization (tandem) mass spectrometry, NMR, melting points, elemental analyses and single-crystal X-ray analysis exposed inaccuracies in reported MCRs and allowed for the proposition of a complete catalytic cycle. Biological investigations using both pure and "contaminated" derivatives revealed distinctive features in assessed bioassays. A new cellular action mechanism was unveiled for a one obtained pseudo three-component adduct, suggesting similarity with the known dihydropyrimidinone Monastrol as Eg5 inhibitors, disrupting mitosis by forming monoastral mitotic spindles. Docking studies and RMSD analyses supported this hypothesis. The findings described herein underscore the necessity for a critical reexamination and potential corrections of structural assignments in several reports. This work emphasizes the significance of rigorous characterization and critical evaluation in synthetic chemistry, urging a careful reassessment of reported synthesis and biological activities associated with these compounds.

Understanding the Artemia Salina (Brine Shrimp) Test: Pharmacological Significance and Global Impact

BACKGROUND

The microplate benchtop brine shrimp test (BST) has been widely used for screening and bio-guided isolation of many active compounds, including natural products. Although the interpretation given to the results appears dissimilar, our findings suggest a correlation between positive results with a specific mechanism of action.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to evaluate drugs belonging to fifteen pharmacological categories having diverse mechanisms of action and carry out a bibliometric analysis of over 700 citations related to microwell BST.

METHODS

Test compounds were evaluated in a serial dilution on the microwell BST using healthy nauplii of Artemia salina and after 24 hrs of exposition, the number of alive and dead nauplii was determined, and the LC50 was estimated. A metric study regarding the citations of the BST miniaturized method, sorted by type of documents cited, contributing country, and interpretation of results was conducted on 706 selected citations found in Google Scholar.

RESULTS

Out of 206 drugs tested belonging to fifteen pharmacological categories, twenty-six showed LC50 values <100 μM, most of them belonging to the category of antineoplastic drugs; compounds with different therapeutical uses were found to be cytotoxic as well. A bibliometric analysis showed 706 documents citing the miniaturized BST; 78% of them belonged to academic laboratories from developing countries located on all continents, 63% interpreted their results as cytotoxic activity and 35% indicated general toxicity assessment.

CONCLUSION

BST is a simple, affordable, benchtop assay, capable of detecting cytotoxic drugs with specific mechanisms of action, such as protein synthesis inhibition, antimitotic, DNA binding, topoisomerase I inhibitors, and caspases cascade interfering drugs. The microwell BST is a technique that is used worldwide for the bio-guided isolation of cytotoxic compounds from different sources.

Dysregulation of ferroptosis-related genes in granulosa cells associates with impaired oocyte quality in polycystic ovary syndrome

Background

Poor oocyte quality remains one of the major challenges for polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) patients during in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment. Granulosa cells (GCs) in PCOS display altered functions and could cause an unfavorable microenvironment for oocyte growth and maturation. Ferroptosis is a new form of programmed cell death, but its role in PCOS has been largely unclarified.

Methods

Ferroptosis-related differentially expressed genes (DEGs) of GCs in women with PCOS were identified by bioinformatic analyses of GSE155489 and GSE168404 datasets. Functional enrichment analyses were conducted using Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes. Core ferroptosis-related genes were further screened by random forest, and evaluated for diagnostic value by receiver operating characteristic curve analyses. Gene expression was validated by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction of collected GC samples, and analyzed for association with oocyte quality. In addition, gene regulatory network was constructed based on predicted RNA interactions and transcription factors, while potential therapeutic compounds were screened through molecular docking with crystallographic protein structures.

Results

A total of 14 ferroptosis-related DEGs were identified. These DEGs were mainly enriched in reactive oxygen species metabolic process, mitochondrial outer membrane, antioxidant activity as well as ferroptosis and adipocytokine signaling pathways. Eight core ferroptosis-related genes (ATF3, BNIP3, DDIT4, LPIN1, NOS2, NQO1, SLC2A1 and SLC2A6) were further selected in random forest model, which showed high diagnostic performance for PCOS. Seven of them were validated in GC samples, and five were found to be significantly and positively correlated with one or more oocyte quality parameters in PCOS patients, including oocyte retrieval rate, mature oocyte rate, normal fertilization rate, and good-quality embryo rate. Gene regulatory network revealed JUN and HMGA1 as two important transcription factors, while dicoumarol and flavin adenine dinucleotide were predicted as small molecules with therapeutic potential.

Conclusions

This is the first comprehensive report to study the differential expression of ferroptosis-related genes in GCs of PCOS and their clinical relevance with oocyte quality. Our findings could provide novel insights on the potential role of GC ferroptosis in PCOS pathogenesis, diagnosis, and targeted treatment.

NQO1 Mediates Lenvatinib Resistance by Regulating ROS-induced Apoptosis in Hepatocellular Carcinoma

OBJECTIVE

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the third leading cause of cancer-associated death worldwide. As a first-line drug for advanced HCC treatment, lenvatinib faces a significant hurdle due to the development of both intrinsic and acquired resistance among patients, and the underlying mechanism remains largely unknown. The present study aims to identify the pivotal gene responsible for lenvatinib resistance in HCC, explore the potential molecular mechanism, and propose combinatorial therapeutic targets for HCC management.

METHODS

Cell viability and colony formation assays were conducted to evaluate the sensitivity of cells to lenvatinib and dicoumarol. RNA-Seq was used to determine the differences in transcriptome between parental cells and lenvatinib-resistant (LR) cells. The upregulated genes were analyzed by GO and KEGG analyses. Then, qPCR and Western blotting were employed to determine the relative gene expression levels. Afterwards, the intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and apoptosis were detected by flow cytometry.

RESULTS

PLC-LR and Hep3B-LR were established. There was a total of 116 significantly upregulated genes common to both LR cell lines. The GO and KEGG analyses indicated that these genes were involved in oxidoreductase and dehydrogenase activities, and reactive oxygen species pathways. Notably, NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1) was highly expressed in LR cells, and was involved in the lenvatinib resistance. The high expression of NQO1 decreased the production of ROS induced by lenvatinib, and subsequently suppressed the apoptosis. The combination of lenvatinib and NQO1 inhibitor, dicoumarol, reversed the resistance of LR cells.

CONCLUSION

The high NQO1 expression in HCC cells impedes the lenvatinib-induced apoptosis by regulating the ROS levels, thereby promoting lenvatinib resistance in HCC cells.

Bioactivity and toxicity of coumarins from African medicinal plants

Introduction: Coumarins are naturally occuring metabolites from plants and a few micro-organisms. They have been widely used in the food and drug industry in their natural or synthetic forms. Numerous coumarins possess several biological activities such as anti-inflammatory, anti-ulcers, anti-tumour, anti-microbial, anti-coagulant. The aim of this study was to assess the bioactivity, and toxicity of coumarins from African medicinal plants. Methods: We searched online databases and search engines such as PubMed, Google Scholar and Web of Science for key terms such as coumarins, toxicity, bioavailability, bioactivity with appropriate Boolean operators. Only full-length research articles published in English between 1956 to 2023 were reviewed. Results: We recorded 22 coumarins from 15 plant species from Africa. Most of the plant species (33%) were from North Africa. These were followed by East Africa at 21%, then West, and Central Africa at 18.2% each. Most of the coumarins (21.3%) were isolated from the entire plant and the leaves (19.1%) and most of them (46.7%) had some antimicrobial activity. Five coumarins viz osthole, pseudocordatolide C & calanolide, chartreusin and esculetin had either antitumor or anticancer activity. Six coumarins had varying levels and types of toxicity ranging from inhibiting blood clotting as anticoagulants, to cytotoxic effects, causing hyperventilation, tremor, & photophobia, pulmonary haemorrhage, carcinogenic activity, severe neurotoxicity, hepato- and phototoxicity. Conclusion: Several African medicinal plants are sources of various coumarins that possess several biological activities as well as toxicities. This calls for more research into their safety and efficacy because of their wide spread applications as therapeutic agents.

Natural Product-Based Glycolysis Inhibitors as a Therapeutic Strategy for Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor-Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor-Resistant Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is a leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Targeted therapy against the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is a promising treatment approach for NSCLC. However, resistance to EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) remains a major challenge in its clinical management. EGFR mutation elevates the expression of hypoxia-inducible factor-1 alpha to upregulate the production of glycolytic enzymes, increasing glycolysis and tumor resistance. The inhibition of glycolysis can be a potential strategy for overcoming EGFR-TKI resistance and enhancing the effectiveness of EGFR-TKIs. In this review, we specifically explored the effectiveness of pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase inhibitors and lactate dehydrogenase A inhibitors in combating EGFR-TKI resistance. The aim was to summarize the effects of these natural products in preclinical NSCLC models to provide a comprehensive understanding of the potential therapeutic effects. The study findings suggest that natural products can be promising inhibitors of glycolytic enzymes for the treatment of EGFR-TKI-resistant NSCLC. Further investigations through preclinical and clinical studies are required to validate the efficacy of natural product-based glycolytic inhibitors as innovative therapeutic modalities for NSCLC.

Impact of NQO1 dysregulation in CNS disorders

NAD(P)H Quinone Dehydrogenase 1 (NQO1) plays a pivotal role in the regulation of neuronal function and synaptic plasticity, cellular adaptation to oxidative stress, neuroinflammatory and degenerative processes, and tumorigenesis in the central nervous system (CNS). Impairment of the NQO1 activity in the CNS can result in abnormal neurotransmitter release and clearance, increased oxidative stress, and aggravated cellular injury/death. Furthermore, it can cause disturbances in neural circuit function and synaptic neurotransmission. The abnormalities of NQO1 enzyme activity have been linked to the pathophysiological mechanisms of multiple neurological disorders, including Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, cerebrovascular disease, traumatic brain injury, and brain malignancy. NQO1 contributes to various dimensions of tumorigenesis and treatment response in various brain tumors. The precise mechanisms through which abnormalities in NQO1 function contribute to these neurological disorders continue to be a subject of ongoing research. Building upon the existing knowledge, the present study reviews current investigations describing the role of NQO1 dysregulations in various neurological disorders. This study emphasizes the potential of NQO1 as a biomarker in diagnostic and prognostic approaches, as well as its suitability as a target for drug development strategies in neurological disorders.

Construction of 4-hydroxycoumarin derivatives with adjacent quaternary and tertiary stereocenters via ternary catalysis

4-Hydroxycoumarin derivatives represent one of the most important scaffolds in biologically active substances, pharmaceuticals and functional materials. Herein, we describe an efficient Pd/amine/Brønsted acid ternary-catalytic multicomponent reaction for the rapid construction of substituted 4-hydroxycoumarin derivatives with adjacent quaternary and tertiary stereocenters via convergent assembly of two in situ generated active intermediates. Furthermore, the late-stage transformations of coumarin derivatives and their in vitro trial of antitumor activity successfully demonstrated the potential utilities of the products as platform molecules.

Anti-hepatitis B virus activities of natural products and their antiviral mechanisms

Chronic hepatitis B (CHB) infections caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV) continue to pose a significant global public health challenge. Currently, the approved treatments for CHB are limited to interferon and nucleos(t)ide analogs, both of which have their limitations, and achieving a complete cure remains an elusive goal. Therefore, the identification of new therapeutic targets and the development of novel antiviral strategies are of utmost importance. Natural products (NPs) constitute a class of substances known for their diverse chemical structures, wide-ranging biological activities, and low toxicity profiles. They have shown promise as potential candidates for combating various diseases, with a substantial number demonstrating anti-HBV properties. This comprehensive review focuses on the current applications of NPs in the fight against HBV and provides a summary of their antiviral mechanisms, considering their impact on the viral life cycle and host hepatocytes. By offering insights into the world of anti-HBV NPs, this review aims to furnish valuable information to support the future development of antiviral drugs.

Six new coumarins from the roots of Toddalia asiatica and their anti-inflammatory activities

We reported the discovery of six novel coumarins, toddasirins A-F (1-6), each endowed with modified isoprenyl or geranyl side chains, derived from the roots of Toddalia asiatica. Comprehensive structural elucidation was achieved through multispectroscopic analyses, single-crystal X-ray diffraction experiments, and advanced quantum mechanical electronic circular dichroism (ECD) calculations. Furthermore, the anti-inflammatory activity of these compounds was assessed. Notably, compounds 1-3 and 6 demonstrated notable inhibitory effects on nitric oxide (NO) production in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced RAW 264.7 cells, with 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) values of 3.22, 4.78, 8.90, and 4.31 μmol·L-1, respectively.

Rational targeting of autophagy in colorectal cancer therapy: From molecular interactions to pharmacological compounds

The abnormal progression of tumors has been a problem for treatment of cancer and therapeutic should be directed towards targeting main mechanisms involved in tumorigenesis in tumors. The genomic mutations can result in changes in biological mechanisms in human cancers. Colorectal cancer is one of the most malignant tumors of gastrointestinal tract and its treatment has been faced some difficulties due to development of resistance in tumor cells and also, their malignant behavior. Hence, new therapeutic modalities for colorectal cancer are being investigated. Autophagy is a "self-digestion" mechanism that is responsible for homeostasis preserving in cells and its aberrant activation/inhibition can lead to tumorigenesis. The current review focuses on the role of autophagy mechanism in colorectal cancer. Autophagy may be associated with increase/decrease in progression of colorectal cancer due to mutual function of this molecular mechanism. Pro-survival autophagy inhibits apoptosis to increase proliferation and survival rate of colorectal tumor cells and it is also involved in cancer metastasis maybe due to EMT induction. In contrast, pro-death autophagy decreases growth and invasion of colorectal tumor cells. The status of autophagy (upregulation and down-regulation) is a determining factor for therapy response in colorectal tumor cells. Therefore, targeting autophagy can increase sensitivity of colorectal tumor cells to chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Interestingly, nanoparticles can be employed for targeting autophagy in cancer therapy and they can both induce/suppress autophagy in tumor cells. Furthermore, autophagy modulators can be embedded in nanostructures in improving tumor suppression and providing cancer immunotherapy.

Binding of dicoumarol analog with DNA and its antioxidant studies: A biophysical insight by in-vitro and in-silico approaches

DNA is the major target for a number of pharmaceutical drugs. The interaction of drug molecules with DNA plays a major role in pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics. Bis-coumarin derivatives have diverse biological properties. Here, we have explored the antioxidant activity of 3,3'-Carbonylbis (7-diethylamino coumarin) (CDC) using DPPH, H₂O_2, and superoxide scavenging studies followed by its binding mode in calf thymus-DNA (CT-DNA) using several biophysical methods including molecular docking. CDC exhibited comparable antioxidant activity to standard ascorbic acid. The UV-Visible and fluorescence spectral variations indicate the CDC-DNA complex formation. The binding constant in the range of 10⁴ M^-1 was obtained from spectroscopic studies at room temperature. The fluorescence quenching of CDC by CT-DNA suggested a quenching constant (K_SV) of 10³ to 10⁴ M^-1 order. Thermodynamic studies at 303, 308, and 318 K revealed the observed quenching as a dynamic process besides the spontaneity of the interaction with negative free energy change. Competitive binding studies with site markers like ethidium bromide, methylene blue, and Hoechst 33258 reflect CDC's groove mode of interaction. The result was complemented by DNA melting study, viscosity measurement, and KI quenching studies. The ionic strength effect was studied to interpret the electrostatic interaction and found its insignificant role in the binding. Molecular docking studies suggested the binding location of CDC within the minor groove of CT-DNA, complementing the experimental result.

Dicoumarol is an effective post-exposure prophylactic for SARS-CoV-2 Omicron infection in human airway epithelium

Repurposing existing drugs to inhibit SARS-CoV-2 infection in airway epithelial cells (AECs) is a quick way to find novel treatments for COVID-19. Computational screening has found dicoumarol (DCM), a natural anticoagulant, to be a potential SARS-CoV-2 inhibitor, but its inhibitory effects and possible working mechanisms remain unknown. Using air-liquid interface culture of primary human AECs, we demonstrated that DCM has potent antiviral activity against the infection of multiple Omicron variants (including BA.1, BQ.1 and XBB.1). Time-of-addition and drug withdrawal assays revealed that early treatment (continuously incubated after viral absorption) of DCM could markedly inhibit Omicron replication in AECs, but DCM did not affect the absorption, exocytosis and spread of viruses or directly eliminate viruses. Mechanistically, we performed single-cell sequencing analysis (a database of 77,969 cells from different airway locations from 10 healthy volunteers) and immunofluorescence staining, and showed that the expression of NAD(P)H quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1), one of the known DCM targets, was predominantly localised in ciliated AECs. We further found that the NQO1 expression level was positively correlated with both the disease severity of COVID-19 patients and virus copy levels in cultured AECs. In addition, DCM treatment downregulated NQO1 expression and disrupted signalling pathways associated with SARS-CoV-2 disease outcomes (e.g., Endocytosis and COVID-19 signalling pathways) in cultured AECs. Collectively, we demonstrated that DCM is an effective post-exposure prophylactic for SARS-CoV-2 infection in the human AECs, and these findings could help physicians formulate novel treatment strategies for COVID-19.

ATP-releasing SWELL1 channel in spinal microglia contributes to neuropathic pain

Following peripheral nerve injury, extracellular adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP)-mediated purinergic signaling is crucial for spinal cord microglia activation and neuropathic pain. However, the mechanisms of ATP release remain poorly understood. Here, we show that volume-regulated anion channel (VRAC) is an ATP-releasing channel and is activated by inflammatory mediator sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) in microglia. Mice with microglia-specific deletion of Swell1 (also known as Lrrc8a), a VRAC essential subunit, had reduced peripheral nerve injury-induced increase in extracellular ATP in spinal cord. The mutant mice also exhibited decreased spinal microgliosis, dorsal horn neuronal hyperactivity, and both evoked and spontaneous neuropathic pain-like behaviors. We further performed high-throughput screens and identified an FDA-approved drug dicumarol as a novel and potent VRAC inhibitor. Intrathecal administration of dicumarol alleviated nerve injury-induced mechanical allodynia in mice. Our findings suggest that ATP-releasing VRAC in microglia is a key spinal cord determinant of neuropathic pain and a potential therapeutic target for this debilitating disease.

Therapeutic Effects of Coumarins with Different Substitution Patterns

The use of derivatives of natural and synthetic origin has gained attention because of their therapeutic effects against human diseases. Coumarins are one of the most common organic molecules and are used in medicine for their pharmacological and biological effects, such as anti-inflammatory, anticoagulant, antihypertensive, anticonvulsant, antioxidant, antimicrobial, and neuroprotective, among others. In addition, coumarin derivates can modulate signaling pathways that impact several cell processes. The objective of this review is to provide a narrative overview of the use of coumarin-derived compounds as potential therapeutic agents, as it has been shown that substituents on the basic core of coumarin have therapeutic effects against several human diseases and types of cancer, including breast, lung, colorectal, liver, and kidney cancer. In published studies, molecular docking has represented a powerful tool to evaluate and explain how these compounds selectively bind to proteins involved in various cellular processes, leading to specific interactions with a beneficial impact on human health. We also included studies that evaluated molecular interactions to identify potential biological targets with beneficial effects against human diseases.

ATP-releasing SWELL1 channel in spinal microglia contributes to neuropathic pain

Following peripheral nerve injury, extracellular ATP-mediated purinergic signaling is crucial for spinal cord microglia activation and neuropathic pain. However, the mechanisms of ATP release remain poorly understood. Here, we show that volume-regulated anion channel (VRAC) is an ATP-releasing channel and is activated by inflammatory mediator sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) in microglia. Mice with microglia-specific deletion of Swell1 (also known as Lrrc8a), a VRAC essential subunit, had reduced peripheral nerve injury-induced increase in extracellular ATP in spinal cord. The mutant mice also exhibited decreased spinal microgliosis, dorsal horn neuronal hyperactivity, and both evoked and spontaneous neuropathic pain-like behaviors. We further performed high-throughput screens and identified an FDA-approved drug dicumarol as a novel and potent VRAC inhibitor. Intrathecal administration of dicumarol alleviated nerve injury-induced mechanical allodynia in mice. Our findings suggest that ATP-releasing VRAC in microglia is a key spinal cord determinant of neuropathic pain and a potential therapeutic target for this debilitating disease.

Dicoumarol: from chemistry to antitumor benefits

Dicoumarol, a coumarin-like compound, is known for its anticoagulant properties associated with the ability to inhibit vitamin K, being prescribed as a drug for several decades. The pharmaceutical value of dicoumarol turned it into a focus of chemists' attention, aiming its synthesis and of dicoumarol derivatives, bringing to light new methodologies. In recent years, several other bioactive effects have been claimed for dicoumarol and its derivatives, including anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antifungal, and anticancer, although the mechanisms of action underlying them are mostly not disclosed and additional research is needed to unravel them. This review presents a state of the art on the chemistry of dicoumarols, and their potential anticancer characteristics, highlighting the mechanisms of action elucidated so far. In parallel, we draw attention to the lack of in vivo studies and clinical trials to assess the safety and efficacy as drugs for later application.

Phytochemicals for the Prevention and Treatment of Renal Cell Carcinoma: Preclinical and Clinical Evidence and Molecular Mechanisms

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is associated with about 90% of renal malignancies, and its incidence is increasing globally. Plant-derived compounds have gained significant attention in the scientific community for their preventative and therapeutic effects on cancer. To evaluate the anticancer potential of phytocompounds for RCC, we compiled a comprehensive and systematic review of the available literature. Our work was conducted following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses criteria. The literature search was performed using scholarly databases such as PubMed, Scopus, and ScienceDirect and keywords such as renal cell carcinoma, phytochemicals, cancer, tumor, proliferation, apoptosis, prevention, treatment, in vitro, in vivo, and clinical studies. Based on in vitro results, various phytochemicals, such as phenolics, terpenoids, alkaloids, and sulfur-containing compounds, suppressed cell viability, proliferation and growth, showed cytotoxic activity, inhibited invasion and migration, and enhanced the efficacy of chemotherapeutic drugs in RCC. In various animal tumor models, phytochemicals suppressed renal tumor growth, reduced tumor size, and hindered angiogenesis and metastasis. The relevant antineoplastic mechanisms involved upregulation of caspases, reduction in cyclin activity, induction of cell cycle arrest and apoptosis via modulation of a plethora of cell signaling pathways. Clinical studies demonstrated a reduced risk for the development of kidney cancer and enhancement of the efficacy of chemotherapeutic drugs. Both preclinical and clinical studies displayed significant promise of utilizing phytochemicals for the prevention and treatment of RCC. Further research, confirming the mechanisms and regulatory pathways, along with randomized controlled trials, are needed to establish the use of phytochemicals in clinical practice.

Put out the fire: The pleiotropic anti-inflammatory action of non-vitamin K oral anticoagulants

Non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs) should be the preferred anticoagulant strategy for preventing ischemic stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) at increased thromboembolic risk and for treating deep venous thromboembolism (DVT) in the general population. Beyond their inhibiting action on the activated factor X (FXa) or thrombin (FIIa), NOACs showed some pleiotropic anti-inflammatory effects. The present review aimed to describe the role of FXa and FIIa in the inflammation pathway and the potential anti-inflammatory effects of NOACs.

Genome and systems biology of Melilotus albus provides insights into coumarins biosynthesis

Melilotus species are used as green manure and rotation crops worldwide and contain abundant pharmacologically active coumarins. However, there is a paucity of information on its genome and coumarin production and function. Here, we reported a chromosome-scale assembly of Melilotus albus genome with 1.04 Gb in eight chromosomes, containing 71.42% repetitive elements. Long terminal repeat retrotransposon bursts coincided with declining of population sizes during the Quaternary glaciation. Resequencing of 94 accessions enabled insights into genetic diversity, population structure, and introgression. Melilotus officinalis had relatively larger genetic diversity than that of M. albus. The introgression existed between M. officinalis group and M. albus group, and gene flows was from M. albus to M. officinalis. Selection sweep analysis identified candidate genes associated with flower colour and coumarin biosynthesis. Combining genomics, BSA, transcriptomics, metabolomics, and biochemistry, we identified a β-glucosidase (BGLU) gene cluster contributing to coumarin biosynthesis. MaBGLU1 function was verified by overexpression in M. albus, heterologous expression in Escherichia coli, and substrate feeding, revealing its role in scopoletin (coumarin derivative) production and showing that nonsynonymous variation drives BGLU enzyme activity divergence in Melilotus. Our work will accelerate the understanding of biologically active coumarins and their biosynthetic pathways, and contribute to genomics-enabled Melilotus breeding.

Recent advances in materials for hemostatic management

Traumatic hemorrhage can be a fatal event, particularly when large quantities of blood are lost in a short period of time. Therefore, hemostasis has become a crucial part of emergency treatment. For small wounds, hemostasis can be achieved intrinsically depending on the body's own blood coagulation mechanism; however, for large-area wounds, particularly battlefield and complex wounds, materials delivering rapid and effective hemostasis are required. In parallel with the constant progress in science, technology, and society, advances in hemostatic materials have also undergone various iterations by integrating new ideas with old concepts. There are various natural and synthetic hemostatic materials, including hemostatic powders, adhesives, hydrogels, and tourniquets, for the treatment of severe external trauma. This review covers the differences among the currently available hemostatic materials and comprehensively describes the hemostatic effects of different materials based on the underlying mechanisms. Finally, solutions for current issues related to trauma bleeding are discussed, and the prospects of hemostatic materials are proposed.

Progress in the Synthesis of Heterocyclic Compounds Catalyzed by Lipases

Heterocyclic compounds are representative of a larger class of organic compounds, and worthy of attention for many reasons, chief of which is the participation of heterocyclic scaffolds in the skeleton structure of many drugs. Lipases are enzymes with catalytic versatility, and play a key role in catalyzing the reaction of carbon–carbon bond formation, allowing the production of different compounds. This article reviewed the lipase-catalyzed aldol reaction, Knoevenagel reaction, Michael reaction, Mannich reaction, etc., in the synthesis of several classes of heterocyclic compounds with important physiological and pharmacological activities, and also prospected the research focus in lipase-catalyzed chemistry transformations in the future.

Antioxidant and Antiinflammatory Effects of Epilobium parviflorum, Melilotus officinalis and Cardiospermum halicacabum Plant Extracts in Macrophage and Microglial Cells

Background: We investigated the phenolic content characterizing different plant extracts from Epilobium parviflorum, Cardiospermum halicacabum, and Melilotus officinalis, their antioxidant, antiinflammatory effects, and their mechanism of action. Methods: plant samples were macerated in 40% ethanol or hot/ cold glycerate and assessed for polyphenols content. The antioxidant activity was investigated by DPPH radical scavenging assay and H₂DCFDA test in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophages and N9 microglial cells. MTS experiments and antiinflammatory properties verified cellular toxicity through NO assay. Interaction with A_2A adenosine receptors was evaluated through binding assays using [³H]ZM241385 radioligand. Results: Polyphenols were present in 40% ethanol plant extract, which at 0.1–10 µg/µL achieved good antioxidant effects, with a DPPH radical scavenging rate of about 90%. In LPS-stimulated cells, these plant extracts, at 1μg/μL, did not affect cell vitality, displayed significant inhibition of H₂DCFDA and NO production, and inhibited ZM 241385 binding in CHO cells transfected with A_2A receptors. RAW 264.7 and N9 cells presented a density of them quantified in 60 ± 9 and 45 ± 5 fmol/mg of protein, respectively. Conclusion: Epilobium parviflorum, Cardiospermum halicacabum, and Melilotus officinalis extracts may be considered a source of agents for treating disorders related to oxidative stress and inflammation.

Cryptotanshinone Inhibits the Growth of HCT116 Colorectal Cancer Cells Through Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress-Mediated Autophagy

Among cancers, colorectal cancer (CRC) has one of the highest annual incidence and death rates. Considering severe adverse reactions associated with classical chemotherapy medications, traditional Chinese medicines have become potential drug candidates. In the current study, the effects of cryptotanshinone (CPT), a major component of Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge (Danshen) on CRC and underlying mechanism were explored. First of all, data from in vitro experiments and in vivo zebrafish models indicated that CPT selectively inhibited the growth and proliferation of HCT116 and SW620 cells while had little effect on SW480 cells. Secondly, both ER stress and autophagy were associated with CRC viability regulation. Interestingly, ER stress inhibitor and autophagy inhibitor merely alleviated cytotoxic effects on HCT116 cells in response to CPT stimulation, while have little effect on SW620 cells. The significance of apoptosis, autophagy and ER stress were verified by clinical data from CRC patients. In summary, the current study has revealed the anti-cancer effects of CPT in CRC by activating autophagy signaling mediated by ER stress. CPT is a promising drug candidate for CRC treatment.