Evaluation of the inhibition risk of shikonin on human and rat UDP-glucuronosyltransferases (UGT) through the cocktail approach

Pharmacological Significance of Boraginaceae with Special Insights into Shikonin and Its Potential in the Food Industry

Shikonin is a naphthoquinone pigment present in the hairy roots of the plant species from the Boraginaceae family. The compound has been well investigated for its highly efficient medicinal, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties. Various extraction methodologies have been employed to maximise yield while minimising waste production of shikonin and its derivatives. Despite substantial research on shikonin and Boraginaceae plants, a research gap persists in the food industry and extraction technologies. This review addresses crucial aspects of shikonin deserving of further exploration. It begins by elucidating the attributes of the Boraginaceae plants and their medicinal traits in folklore. It proceeds to focus on the roots of the plant and its medicinal properties, followed by extraction procedures explored in the last fifteen years, emphasising the novel technologies that have been chosen to improve the yield extract while minimising extraction times. Furthermore, this review briefly outlines studies employing cell culture techniques to enhance in vitro shikonin production. Lastly, attention is directed towards research in the food industry, particularly on shikonin-loaded biodegradable films and the antioxidant activity of shikonin. This review concludes by summarising the future potential in food science and prominent research gaps in this field.

Phytochemicals Target Multiple Metabolic Pathways in Cancer

Cancer metabolic reprogramming is a complex process that provides malignant cells with selective advantages to grow and propagate in the hostile environment created by the immune surveillance of the human organism. This process underpins cancer proliferation, invasion, antioxidant defense, and resistance to anticancer immunity and therapeutics. Perhaps not surprisingly, metabolic rewiring is considered to be one of the "Hallmarks of cancer". Notably, this process often comprises various complementary and overlapping pathways. Today, it is well known that highly selective inhibition of only one of the pathways in a tumor cell often leads to a limited response and, subsequently, to the emergence of resistance. Therefore, to increase the overall effectiveness of antitumor drugs, it is advisable to use multitarget agents that can simultaneously suppress several key processes in the tumor cell. This review is focused on a group of plant-derived natural compounds that simultaneously target different pathways of cancer-associated metabolism, including aerobic glycolysis, respiration, glutaminolysis, one-carbon metabolism, de novo lipogenesis, and β-oxidation of fatty acids. We discuss only those compounds that display inhibitory activity against several metabolic pathways as well as a number of important signaling pathways in cancer. Information about their pharmacokinetics in animals and humans is also presented. Taken together, a number of known plant-derived compounds may target multiple metabolic and signaling pathways in various malignancies, something that bears great potential for the further improvement of antineoplastic therapy.

Investigation of cytochrome P450 inhibitory properties of deoxyshikonin, a bioactive compound from Lithospermum erythrorhizon Sieb. et Zucc

Deoxyshikonin, a natural naphthoquinone compound extracted from Lithospermum erythrorhizon Sieb. et Zucc (Boraginaceae), has a wide range of pharmacological activities, including anti-tumor, anti-bacterial and wound healing effects. However, the inhibitory effect of deoxyshikonin on cytochrome P450 (CYP) remains unclear. This study investigated the potential inhibitory effects of deoxyshikonin on CYP1A2, 2B1/6, 2C9/11, 2D1/6, 2E1 and 3A2/4 enzymes in human and rat liver microsomes (HLMs and RLMs) by the cocktail approach in vitro. The single-point inactivation experiment showed that deoxyshikonin presented no time-dependent inhibition on CYP activities in HLMs and RLMs. Enzyme inhibition kinetics indicated that in HLMs, deoxyshikonin was not only a competitive inhibitor of CYP1A2 and 2E1, but also a mixed inhibitor of CYP2B6, 2C9, 2D6 and 3A4, with Ki of 2.21, 1.78, 1.68, 0.20, 4.08 and 0.44 μM, respectively. In RLMs, deoxyshikonin not only competitively inhibited CYP2B1 and 2E1, but also exhibited mixed inhibition on CYP1A2, 2C11, 2D1 and 3A2, with Ki values of no more than 18.66 μM. In conclusion, due to the low Ki values of deoxythiokonin on CYP enzymes in HLMs, this may lead to drug-drug interactions (DDI) and potential toxicity.

Integrate thermostabilized fusion protein apocytochrome b562RIL and N-glycosylation mutations: A novel approach to heterologous expression of human UDP-glucuronosyltransferase (UGT) 2B7

Human UDP-glucuronosyltransferase (UGT) 2B7 is a crucial phase II metabolic enzyme that transfers glucuronic acid from UDP-glucuronic acid (UDPGA) to endobiotic and xenobiotic substrates. Biophysical and biochemical investigations of UGT2B7 are hampered by the challenge of the integral membrane protein purification. This study focused on the expression and purification of recombinant UGT2B7 by optimizing the insertion sites for the thermostabilized fusion protein apocytochrome b₅₆₂RIL (BRIL) and various mutations to improve the protein yields and homogeneity. Preparation of the recombinant proteins with high purity accelerated the measurement of pharmacokinetic parameters of UGT2B7. The dissociation constants (K_D) of two classical substrates (zidovudine and androsterone) and two inhibitors (schisanhenol and hesperetin) of UGT2B7 were determined using the surface plasmon resonance spectroscopy (SPR) for the first time. Using negative-staining transmission electron microscopy (TEM), UGT2B7 protein particles were characterized, which could be useful for further exploring its three-dimensional structure. The methods described in this study could be broadly applied to other UGTs and are expected to provide the basis for the exploration of metabolic enzyme kinetics, the mechanisms of drug metabolisms and drug interactions, changes in pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics studies in vitro.

Review of Shikonin and Derivatives: Isolation, Chemistry, Biosynthesis, Pharmacology and Toxicology

Shikonin and its derivatives, isolated from traditional medicinal plant species of the genus Lithospermum, Alkanna, Arnebia, Anchusa, Onosma, and Echium belonging to the Boraginaceae family, have numerous applications in foods, cosmetics, and textiles. Shikonin, a potent bioactive red pigment, has been used in traditional medicinal systems to cure various ailments and is well known for its diverse pharmacological potential such as anticancer, antithrombotic, neuroprotective, antidiabetic, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, anti-gonadotropic, antioxidants, antimicrobial and insecticidal. Herein, updated research on the natural sources, pharmacology, toxicity studies, and various patents filed worldwide related to shikonin and approaches to shikonin’s biogenic and chemical synthesis are reviewed. Furthermore, recent studies to establish reliable production systems to meet market demand, functional identification, and future clinical development of shikonin and its derivatives against various diseases are presented.

Shikonin, a naphthalene ingredient: Therapeutic actions, pharmacokinetics, toxicology, clinical trials and pharmaceutical researches

BACKGROUND

Shikonin is one of the major phytochemical components of Lithospermum erythrorhizon (Purple Cromwell), which is a type of medicinal herb broadly utilized in traditional Chinese medicine. It is well established that shikonin possesses remarkable therapeutic actions on various diseases, with the underlying mechanisms, pharmacokinetics and toxicological effects elusive. Also, the clinical trial and pharmaceutical study of shikonin remain to be comprehensively delineated.

PURPOSE

The present review aimed to systematically summarize the updated knowledge regarding the therapeutic actions, pharmacokinetics, toxicological effects, clinical trial and pharmaceutical study of shikonin.

METHODS

The information contained in this review article were retrieved from some authoritative databases including Web of Science, PubMed, Google scholar, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang Database and so on, till August 2021.

RESULTS

Shikonin exerts multiple therapeutic efficacies, such as anti-inflammation, anti-cancer, cardiovascular protection, anti-microbiomes, analgesia, anti-obesity, brain protection, and so on, mainly by regulating the NF-κB, PI3K/Akt/MAPKs, Akt/mTOR, TGF-β, GSK3β, TLR4/Akt signaling pathways, NLRP3 inflammasome, reactive oxygen stress, Bax/Bcl-2, etc. In terms of pharmacokinetics, shikonin has an unfavorable oral bioavailability, 64.6% of the binding rate of plasma protein, and enhances some metabolic enzymes, particularly including cytochrome P450. In regard to the toxicological effects, shikonin may potentially cause nephrotoxicity and skin allergy. The above pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics of shikonin have been validated by few clinical trials. In addition, pharmaceutical innovation of shikonin with novel drug delivery system such as nanoparticles, liposomes, microemulsions, nanogel, cyclodextrin complexes, micelles and polymers are beneficial to the development of shikonin-based drugs.

CONCLUSIONS

Shikonin is a promising phytochemical for drug candidates. Extensive and intensive explorations on shikonin are warranted to expedite the utilization of shikonin-based drugs in the clinical setting.

Interactions Between Ephedra sinica and Prunus armeniaca: From Stereoselectivity to Deamination as a Metabolic Detoxification Mechanism of Amygdalin

Mahuang–Xingren (MX, Ephedra sinica Stapf-Prunus armeniaca L.) is a classic herb pair used in traditional Chinese medicine. This combined preparation reduces the toxicity of Xingren through the stereoselective metabolism of its main active ingredient amygdalin. However, whether stereoselectivity is important in the pharmacokinetic properties of amygdalin either in the traditional decoction or in the dispensing granules is unclear. Amygdalin is hydrolyzed to its metabolite, prunasin, which produces hydrogen cyanide by degradation of the cyano group. A comprehensive study of the metabolic pathway of amygdalin is essential to better understand the detoxification process. In this article, the potential detoxification pathway of MX is further discussed with regard to herb interactions. In this study, the pharmacokinetic parameters and metabolism of amygdalin and prunasin were investigated by comparing the traditional decoction and the dispensing granule preparations. In addition, several potential metabolites were characterized in an incubation system with rat liver microsomes or gut microbial enzymes. The combination of Xingren with Mahuang reduces exposure to D-amygdalin in vivo and contributes to its detoxification, a process that can be further facilitated in the traditional decoction. From the in vitro co-incubation model, 15 metabolites were identified and classified into cyanogenesis and non-cyanogenesis metabolic pathways, and of these, 10 metabolites were described for the first time. The level of detoxified metabolites in the MX traditional decoction was higher than that in the dispensing granules. The metabolism of amygdalin by the gut microbial enzymes occurred more rapidly than that by the rat liver microsomes. These results indicated that combined boiling both herbs during the preparation of the traditional decoction may induce several chemical changes that will influence drug metabolism in vivo. The gut microbiota may play a critical role in amygdalin metabolism. In conclusion, detoxification of MX may result 1) during the preparation of the decoction, in the boiling phase, and 2) from the metabolic pathways activated in vivo. Stereoselective pharmacokinetics and deamination metabolism have been proposed as the detoxification pathway underlying the compatibility of MX. Metabolic detoxification of amygdalin was quite different between the two combinations, which indicates that the MX decoctions should not be completely replaced by their dispensing granules.

Methylophiopogonanone A is a naturally occurring broad-spectrum inhibitor against human UDP-glucuronosyltransferases: Inhibition behaviours and implication in herb-drug interactions

Methylophiopogonanone A (MOA) is an abundant homoisoflavonoid in the Chinese herb Ophiopogonis Radix. Recent investigations revealed that MOA inhibited several human cytochrome P450 enzymes (CYPs) and stimulated OATP1B1. However, the inhibitory effects of MOA on phase II drug-metabolizing enzymes, such as human UDP-glucuronosyltransferases (hUGTs), have not been well investigated. Herein, the inhibition potentials of MOA on hUGTs were assessed. The results clearly demonstrated that MOA dose-dependently inhibited all tested hUGTs including UGT1A1 (IC₅₀  = 1.23 μM), one of the most important detoxification enzymes in humans. Further investigations showed that MOA strongly inhibited UGT1A1-catalysed NHPH-O-glucuronidation in a range of biological settings including hUGT1A1, human liver microsomes (HLM) and HeLa cells overexpressing UGT1A1. Inhibition kinetic analyses demonstrated that MOA competitively inhibited UGT1A1-catalysed NHPH-O-glucuronidation in both hUGT1A1 and HLM, with K_i values of 0.52 and 1.22 μM, respectively. Collectively, our findings expanded knowledge of the interactions between MOA and human drug-metabolizing enzymes, which would be very helpful for guiding the use of MOA-related herbal products in clinical settings.

Assessment of the inhibition risk of paris saponins, bioactive compounds from Paris polyphylla, on CYP and UGT enzymes via cocktail inhibition assays

Paris saponins, also known as polyphyllins, are natural compounds extracted from Paris polyphylla, which have many pharmacological activities, such as anti-inflammation and anti-cancer. In particular, paris saponin I, II, VII and polyphyllin VI are the components of the quality standard for Paris polyphylla. However, the inhibition risk of polyphyllins on cytochrome P450 (CYP) and UDP-glucuronosyltransferases (UGT) remains unclear. Therefore, this report investigated the potential inhibitory effects of paris saponin I, II, VII and polyphyllin VI on the activities of CYP (CYP1A2, CYP2B1, CYP2C11, CYP2D1, CYP2E1 and CYP3A2) and UGT (UGT1A1, UGT1A3, UGT1A6, PROG and AZTG) through cocktail inhibition assays in vitro. In the study of CYP, polyphyllin VI exhibited weak inhibition on CYP2D1 activity in rat liver microsomes with IC₅₀ value at 45.2 μM, while paris saponin VII weakly inhibited CYP2C11 and CYP2E1 activities with IC₅₀ value at 42.0 and 67.7 μM, respectively. In the study of UGT, none of the four steroidal saponins showed significant inhibition risk. In conclusion, paris saponin I, II, VII and polyphyllin VI have very low potential to cause the possible toxicity and drug interactions involving CYP and UGT enzymes, indicating that they are safe enough to take with drugs.

Acetylshikonin Sensitizes Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells to Apoptosis through ROS-Mediated Caspase Activation

The tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) has shown strong and explicit cancer cell-selectivity, which results in little toxicity toward normal tissues, and has been recognized as a potential, relatively safe anticancer agent. However, several cancers are resistant to the apoptosis induced by TRAIL. A recent study found that shikonin b (alkannin, 5,8-dihydroxy-2-[(1S)-1-hydroxy-4-methylpent-3-en-1-yl]naphthalene-1,4-dione) might induce apoptosis in TRAIL-resistant cholangiocarcinoma cells through reactive oxygen species (ROS)-mediated caspases activation. However, the strong cytotoxic activity has limited its potential as an anticancer drug. Thus, the current study intends to discover novel shikonin derivatives which can sensitize the liver cancer cell to TRAIL-induced apoptosis while exhibiting little toxicity toward the normal hepatic cell. The trypan blue exclusion assay, western blot assay, 4′,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI) staining and the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay as well as the ‘comet’ assay, were used to study the underlying mechanisms of cell death and to search for any mechanisms of an enhancement of TRAIL-mediated apoptosis in the presence of ASH. Herein, we demonstrated that non-cytotoxic doses of acetylshikonin (ASH), one of the shikonin derivatives, in combination with TRAIL, could promote apoptosis in HepG2 cells. Further studies showed that application of ASH in a non-cytotoxic dose (2.5 μM) could increase intracellular ROS production and induce DNA damage, which might trigger a cell intrinsic apoptosis pathway in the TRAIL-resistant HepG2 cell. Combination treatment with a non-cytotoxic dose of ASH and TRAIL activated caspase and increased the cleavage of PARP-1 in the HepG2 cell. However, when intracellular ROS production was suppressed by N-acetyl-l-cysteine (NAC), the synergistic effects of ASH and TRAIL on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cell apoptosis was abolished. Furthermore, NAC could alleviate p53 and the p53 upregulated modulator of apoptosis (PUMA) expression induced by TRAIL and ASH. Small (or short) interfering RNA (siRNA) targeting PUMA or p53 significantly reversed ASH-mediated sensitization to TRAIL-induced apoptosis. In addition, Bax gene deficiency also abolished ASH-induced TRAIL sensitization. An orthotopical HCC implantation mice model further confirmed that co-treated ASH overcomes TRAIL resistance in HCC cells without exhibiting potent toxicity in vivo. In conclusion, the above data suggested that ROS could induce DNA damage and activating p53/PUMA/Bax signaling, and thus, this resulted in the permeabilization of mitochondrial outer membrane and activating caspases as well as sensitizing the HCC cell to apoptosis induced by TRAIL and ASH treatment.