1
|
Ferraboschi I, Ovčar J, Vygranenko KV, Yu S, Minervino A, Wrzosek A, Szewczyk A, Rozza R, Magistrato A, Belfield KD, Gryko DT, Grisanti L, Sissa C. Neutral rhodol-based dyes expressing localization in mitochondria. Org Biomol Chem 2024; 22:5886-5890. [PMID: 38804835 DOI: 10.1039/d4ob00252k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/29/2024]
Abstract
Neutral rhodol-based red emitters are shown to efficiently localize in mitochondria, as demonstrated by confocal microscopy and co-localization studies. A simple model is proposed to explain the localization mechanism of neutral molecules. The model takes into account the strong coupling between the molecular dipole moment and the electric field of the inner mitochondrial membrane.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ilaria Ferraboschi
- Department of Chemistry, Life Sciences and Environmental Sustainability, University of Parma, 43124 Parma, Italy.
| | - Juraj Ovčar
- Ruđer Bošković Institute, Bijenička cesta 54, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia.
- National Research Council - Materials Foundry Institute (CNR-IOM) c/o SISSA (International School for Advanced Studies), Via Bonomea 265, 34136 Trieste, Italy
| | - Kateryna V Vygranenko
- Institute of Organic Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, Kasprzaka 44/52, 01-224 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Shupei Yu
- Department of Chemistry and Environmental Science, College of Science and Liberal Arts, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, New Jersey 07102, USA
| | - Alfonso Minervino
- Department of Chemistry and Environmental Science, College of Science and Liberal Arts, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, New Jersey 07102, USA
| | - Antoni Wrzosek
- Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology of Polish Academy of Sciences, Pasteura 3, 02-093 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Adam Szewczyk
- Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology of Polish Academy of Sciences, Pasteura 3, 02-093 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Riccardo Rozza
- National Research Council - Materials Foundry Institute (CNR-IOM) c/o SISSA (International School for Advanced Studies), Via Bonomea 265, 34136 Trieste, Italy
| | - Alessandra Magistrato
- National Research Council - Materials Foundry Institute (CNR-IOM) c/o SISSA (International School for Advanced Studies), Via Bonomea 265, 34136 Trieste, Italy
| | - Kevin D Belfield
- Department of Chemistry and Environmental Science, College of Science and Liberal Arts, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, New Jersey 07102, USA
| | - Daniel T Gryko
- Institute of Organic Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, Kasprzaka 44/52, 01-224 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Luca Grisanti
- Ruđer Bošković Institute, Bijenička cesta 54, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia.
- National Research Council - Materials Foundry Institute (CNR-IOM) c/o SISSA (International School for Advanced Studies), Via Bonomea 265, 34136 Trieste, Italy
| | - Cristina Sissa
- Department of Chemistry, Life Sciences and Environmental Sustainability, University of Parma, 43124 Parma, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Xue M, Yang C, Huang W, He Y, Yang C, Xue Y, Zheng Y, Diao X, Wang X. Pharmacokinetics and metabolite identification of 23-hydroxybetulinic acid in rats by using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry method. J Chromatogr B Analyt Technol Biomed Life Sci 2024; 1234:124016. [PMID: 38266610 DOI: 10.1016/j.jchromb.2024.124016] [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: 12/06/2023] [Revised: 01/03/2024] [Accepted: 01/15/2024] [Indexed: 01/26/2024]
Abstract
23-hydroxybetulinic acid (23-HA), a main bioactive component isolated from Pulsatilla chinensis (Bunge) Regel, exhibits various pharmacological activities, such as antimelanoma, antileukemia, anti-colon cancer, and antihepatotoxicity. Although the main active ingredient anemoside B4 (AB4) from this plant has been well studied, research on its active metabolite 23-HA is limited. In the present study, a validated HPLC-QQQ-MS/MS method was established for the quantification of 23-HA in rat plasma. Pharmacokinetics analysis showed that the absorption and elimination of 23-HA in rats were rapid, with an oral bioavailability as 12.9 %. After oral administration with 50 mg/kg 23-HA for SD rats, the plasma, urine, feces, and bile samples were collected and analyzed by UPLC-Q Exactive Plus MS and HPLC-QQQ-MS/MS. Seventeen metabolites of 23-HA were identified, and its major metabolic pathways included oxidation, hydration, sulfation, and glucuronidation. This study highlights the first detailed investigation of 23-HA's pharmacokinetics in rats along with its metabolism in vivo, and will provide robust evidence for further research and clinical application of 23-HA.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mingzhen Xue
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Functional Substances of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China; Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201210, China; College of Oceanology and Food Science, Quanzhou Normal University, Quanzhou 362000, China
| | - Cheng Yang
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Wensi Huang
- Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Yifei He
- Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Chen Yang
- Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Yaru Xue
- Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Yuandong Zheng
- Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201210, China.
| | - Xingxing Diao
- Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201210, China; School of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China.
| | - Xiachang Wang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Functional Substances of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China; College of Oceanology and Food Science, Quanzhou Normal University, Quanzhou 362000, China.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Wang X, Zhang X, Zheng G, Dong M, Huang Z, Lin L, Yan K, Zheng J, Wang J. Mitochondria-targeted pentacyclic triterpene NIR-AIE derivatives for enhanced chemotherapeutic and chemo-photodynamic combined therapy. Eur J Med Chem 2024; 264:115975. [PMID: 38039788 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2023.115975] [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: 10/10/2023] [Revised: 11/15/2023] [Accepted: 11/17/2023] [Indexed: 12/03/2023]
Abstract
Complexes formed by combining pentacyclic triterpenes (PTs) with Aggregation-Induced Emission luminogens (AIEgens), termed pentacyclic triterpene-aggregation induced emission (PT-AIEgen) complexes, merge the chemotherapeutic properties of PTs with the photocytotoxicity of AIEgens. In this study, we synthesized derivatives by connecting three types of triphenylamine (TPA) pyridinium derivatives with three common pentacyclic triterpenes. Altering the connecting group between the electron donor TPA and the electron acceptor pyridinium resulted in increased production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by PT-AIEgens and a red-shift in their fluorescence emission spectra. Importantly, the fluorescence emission spectra of BA-3, OA-3, and UA-3 extended into the near-infrared (NIR) range, enabling NIR-AIE imaging of the sites where the derivatives aggregated. The incorporation of the pyridinium structure improved the mitochondrial targeting of PT-AIEgens, enhancing mitochondrial pathway-mediated cell apoptosis and improving the efficiency of chemotherapy (CT) and chemo-photodynamic combined therapy (CPCT) both in vivo and in vitro. Cellular fluorescence imaging demonstrated rapid cellular uptake and mitochondrial accumulation of BA-1 (-2, -3). Cell viability experiments revealed that BA-1 (-2), OA-1 (-2), and UA-1 (-2) exhibited superior CT cytotoxicity compared to their parent drugs, with BA-1 showing the most potent inhibitory effect on HeLa cells (IC50 = 1.19 μM). Furthermore, HeLa cells treated with BA-1 (1 μM), BA-2 (1.25 μM), and BA-3 (1 μM) exhibited survival rates of 2.99 % ± 0.05 % μM, 5.92 % ± 2.04 % μM, and 2.53 % ± 0.73 % μM, respectively, under white light irradiation. Mechanistic experiments revealed that derivatives induced cell apoptosis via the mitochondrial apoptosis pathway during both CT and CPCT. Remarkably, BA-1 and BA-3 in CPCT inhibited cancer cell proliferation in an in vivo melanoma mouse xenograft model. These results collectively encourage further research of PT-AIEgens as potential anticancer agents.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiang Wang
- Department of Chemistry, Shantou University Medical College, 22 Xinling Road, Shantou, 515041, PR China
| | - Xuewei Zhang
- Department of Chemistry, Shantou University Medical College, 22 Xinling Road, Shantou, 515041, PR China
| | - Guoxing Zheng
- Department of Chemistry, Shantou University Medical College, 22 Xinling Road, Shantou, 515041, PR China
| | - Mingming Dong
- Department of Chemistry, Shantou University Medical College, 22 Xinling Road, Shantou, 515041, PR China
| | - Zhaopeng Huang
- Department of Chemistry, Shantou University Medical College, 22 Xinling Road, Shantou, 515041, PR China
| | - Liyin Lin
- Central Laboratory, Shantou University Medical College, 22 Xinling Road, Shantou, 515041, PR China
| | - Kang Yan
- Department of Chemistry, Shantou University Medical College, 22 Xinling Road, Shantou, 515041, PR China
| | - Jinhong Zheng
- Department of Chemistry, Shantou University Medical College, 22 Xinling Road, Shantou, 515041, PR China
| | - Jinzhi Wang
- Department of Chemistry, Shantou University Medical College, 22 Xinling Road, Shantou, 515041, PR China; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, 515041, PR China.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Wen M, Sun J, Yang M, Zhang X, Wang Y, Zhou W, Shi Y, Huang Y, Li N, Chen L. Design, Synthesis, and Biological Evaluation of Esculetin-Furoxan-DEAC Ternary Hybrids for Anti-Triple Negative Breast Cancer. J Med Chem 2023; 66:12446-12458. [PMID: 37602711 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c00954] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/22/2023]
Abstract
Twelve new hybrid compounds of Esculetin with nitric oxide (NO) donors and/or mitochondrial targeting groups were designed, synthesized, and evaluated for their anti-tumor activity and mechanism in vitro and in vivo. Notably, the most potent compound A11 exhibited nanomolar antiproliferative activity on triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) MDA-MB-231 cells (IC50 = 8 nM) with a strikingly selective inhibitory effect. The mechanism of A11 involves targeting MDA-MB-231 cells' mitochondria, releasing a high NO concentration, and increasing the expression of cyclophilin D (CypD), leading to increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) and triggering cancer cell apoptosis. Additionally, A11 could arrest the cell cycle at the G2/M phase to achieve anti-tumor effects. Moreover, A11 demonstrated a superior TNBC inhibition rate and diminished toxicity relative to doxorubicin (DOX) in vivo. In summary, A11 serves as a noteworthy contender for TNBC treatment with high potency and minimal toxicity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mingju Wen
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Department of Natural Medicinal Chemistry, School of Traditional Chinese Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, 639 Longmian Avenue, Nanjing 211198, China
| | - Jianbo Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Department of Natural Medicinal Chemistry, School of Traditional Chinese Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, 639 Longmian Avenue, Nanjing 211198, China
| | - Miao Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Department of Natural Medicinal Chemistry, School of Traditional Chinese Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, 639 Longmian Avenue, Nanjing 211198, China
| | - Xueling Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Department of Natural Medicinal Chemistry, School of Traditional Chinese Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, 639 Longmian Avenue, Nanjing 211198, China
| | - Yue Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Department of Natural Medicinal Chemistry, School of Traditional Chinese Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, 639 Longmian Avenue, Nanjing 211198, China
| | - Wen Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Department of Natural Medicinal Chemistry, School of Traditional Chinese Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, 639 Longmian Avenue, Nanjing 211198, China
| | - Yuning Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Department of Natural Medicinal Chemistry, School of Traditional Chinese Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, 639 Longmian Avenue, Nanjing 211198, China
| | - Yujing Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Department of Natural Medicinal Chemistry, School of Traditional Chinese Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, 639 Longmian Avenue, Nanjing 211198, China
| | - Na Li
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Department of Natural Medicinal Chemistry, School of Traditional Chinese Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, 639 Longmian Avenue, Nanjing 211198, China
| | - Li Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Department of Natural Medicinal Chemistry, School of Traditional Chinese Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, 639 Longmian Avenue, Nanjing 211198, China
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Sung DB, Lee JS. Natural-product-based fluorescent probes: recent advances and applications. RSC Med Chem 2023; 14:412-432. [PMID: 36970151 PMCID: PMC10034199 DOI: 10.1039/d2md00376g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2022] [Accepted: 12/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Fluorescent probes are attractive tools for biology, drug discovery, disease diagnosis, and environmental analysis. In bioimaging, these easy-to-operate and inexpensive probes can be used to detect biological substances, obtain detailed cell images, track in vivo biochemical reactions, and monitor disease biomarkers without damaging biological samples. Over the last few decades, natural products have attracted extensive research interest owing to their great potential as recognition units for state-of-the-art fluorescent probes. This review describes representative natural-product-based fluorescent probes and recent discoveries, with a particular focus on fluorescent bioimaging and biochemical studies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dan-Bi Sung
- Marine Natural Products Chemistry Laboratory, Korea Institute of Ocean Science and Technology Busan Republic of Korea
| | - Jong Seok Lee
- Marine Natural Products Chemistry Laboratory, Korea Institute of Ocean Science and Technology Busan Republic of Korea
- Department of Marine Biotechnology, Korea University of Science and Technology Daejeon Republic of Korea
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Zhang H, Tian Y, Yuan X, Xie F, Yu S, Cai J, Sun B, Shan C, Zhang W. Site-directed late-stage diversification of macrocyclic nannocystins facilitating anticancer SAR and mode of action studies. RSC Med Chem 2023; 14:299-312. [PMID: 36846368 PMCID: PMC9945860 DOI: 10.1039/d2md00393g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2022] [Accepted: 12/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Nannocystins are a family of 21-membered cyclodepsipeptides with excellent anticancer activity. However, their macrocyclic architecture poses a significant challenge to structure modification. Herein, this issue is addressed by leveraging the strategy of post-macrocyclization diversification. In particular, a novel serine-incorporating nannocystin was designed so that its appending hydroxyl group could diversify into a wide variety of side chain analogues. Such effort facilitated not only structure-activity correlation at the subdomain of interest, but also the development of a macrocyclic coumarin-labeled fluorescence probe. Uptake experiments indicated good cell permeability of the probe, and endoplasmic reticulum was identified as its subcellular localization site.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Han Zhang
- The State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, College of Pharmacy, and Tianjin Key Laboratory of Molecular Drug Research, Nankai University Tianjin People's Republic of China
| | - Yunfeng Tian
- The State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, College of Pharmacy, and Tianjin Key Laboratory of Molecular Drug Research, Nankai University Tianjin People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaoya Yuan
- The State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, College of Pharmacy, and Tianjin Key Laboratory of Molecular Drug Research, Nankai University Tianjin People's Republic of China
| | - Fei Xie
- The State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, College of Pharmacy, and Tianjin Key Laboratory of Molecular Drug Research, Nankai University Tianjin People's Republic of China
| | - Siqi Yu
- The State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, College of Pharmacy, and Tianjin Key Laboratory of Molecular Drug Research, Nankai University Tianjin People's Republic of China
| | - Jiayou Cai
- The State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, College of Pharmacy, and Tianjin Key Laboratory of Molecular Drug Research, Nankai University Tianjin People's Republic of China
| | - Bin Sun
- The State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, College of Pharmacy, and Tianjin Key Laboratory of Molecular Drug Research, Nankai University Tianjin People's Republic of China
| | - Changliang Shan
- The State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, College of Pharmacy, and Tianjin Key Laboratory of Molecular Drug Research, Nankai University Tianjin People's Republic of China
| | - Weicheng Zhang
- The State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, College of Pharmacy, and Tianjin Key Laboratory of Molecular Drug Research, Nankai University Tianjin People's Republic of China
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Medina-O’Donnell M, Vega-Granados K, Martinez A, Sepúlveda MR, Molina-Bolívar JA, Álvarez de Cienfuegos L, Parra A, Reyes-Zurita FJ, Rivas F. Synthesis, Optical Properties, and Antiproliferative Evaluation of NBD-Triterpene Fluorescent Probes. JOURNAL OF NATURAL PRODUCTS 2023; 86:166-175. [PMID: 36542806 PMCID: PMC9887599 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jnatprod.2c00880] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
A fluorescent labeling protocol for hydroxylated natural compounds with promising antitumor properties has been used to synthesize, in yields of 72-86%, 12 derivatives having fluorescent properties and biological activity. The reagent used for the synthesis of these fluorescent derivatives was 7-nitrobenzo-2-oxa-1,3-diazole chloride (NBD-Cl). The linkers employed to bind the NBD-Cl reagent to the natural compounds were ω-amino acids (Aa) of different chain lengths. The natural triterpene compounds chosen were oleanolic and maslinic acid, as their corresponding 28-benzylated derivatives. Thus, 12 NBD-Aa-triterpene conjugates have been studied for their optical fluorescence properties and their biological activities against cell proliferation in three cancer cell lines (B16-F10, HT-29, and HepG2), compared with three nontumor cell lines (HPF, IEC-18, and WRL68) from different tissues. The results of the fluorescence study have shown that the best fluorescent labels are those in which the ω-amino acid chain is shorter, and the carboxylic group is not benzylated. Analysis by confocal microscopy showed that these compounds were rapidly incorporated into cells in all three cancer cell lines, with these same derivatives showing the highest toxicity against the cancer cell lines tested. Then, the fluorescent labeling of these NBD-Aa-triterpene conjugates enabled their uptake and subcellular distribution to be followed in order to probe in detail their biological properties at the cellular and molecular level.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marta Medina-O’Donnell
- Departamento
de Química Orgánica, Departamento de Biología
Celular, and Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular I.
Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Granada, E-18071Granada, Spain
| | - Karina Vega-Granados
- Departamento
de Química Orgánica, Departamento de Biología
Celular, and Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular I.
Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Granada, E-18071Granada, Spain
| | - Antonio Martinez
- Departamento
de Química Orgánica, Departamento de Biología
Celular, and Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular I.
Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Granada, E-18071Granada, Spain
| | - M. Rosario Sepúlveda
- Departamento
de Química Orgánica, Departamento de Biología
Celular, and Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular I.
Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Granada, E-18071Granada, Spain
| | | | - Luis Álvarez de Cienfuegos
- Departamento
de Química Orgánica, Departamento de Biología
Celular, and Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular I.
Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Granada, E-18071Granada, Spain
| | - Andres Parra
- Departamento
de Química Orgánica, Departamento de Biología
Celular, and Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular I.
Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Granada, E-18071Granada, Spain
| | - Fernando J. Reyes-Zurita
- Departamento
de Química Orgánica, Departamento de Biología
Celular, and Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular I.
Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Granada, E-18071Granada, Spain
| | - Francisco Rivas
- Departamento
de Química Orgánica, Departamento de Biología
Celular, and Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular I.
Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Granada, E-18071Granada, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
23-hydroxybetulinic acid reduces tumorigenesis, metastasis and immunosuppression in a mouse model of hepatocellular carcinoma via disruption of the MAPK signaling pathway. Anticancer Drugs 2022; 33:815-825. [PMID: 36136986 DOI: 10.1097/cad.0000000000001325] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) shows recurrence and lung metastasis even after treatment. 23-hydroxybetulinic acid (23-HBA), a major active constituent of Pulsatilla chinensis, exhibits potent antitumor activities. We herein investigate the biological effect of 23-HBA on metastasis and immunosuppression in a mouse model of HCC. Microarray-based gene expression profiling was employed to identify the target genes of 23-HBA in the treatment of HCC. The effect of 23-HBA on the progression of HCC was evaluated by in-vitro cell function measurements along with in-vivo xenograft implantation, lung metastasis and CD11b+Gr1+ staining experiments. The potential mechanism involving target signaling pathway was investigated by western blot analysis. Bioinformatics analysis revealed that matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP2) was a key target gene mediated by 23-HBA in HCC, whereas Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes (KEGG) enrichment analysis demonstrated that MMP2 mainly affects the development and metastasis of HCC. 23-HBA significantly reduced cell malignant functions in vitro while delaying the HCC growth and metastasis in vivo. In addition, the number of myeloid-derived suppressor cells was shown to be reduced following administration of 23-HBA in mice. Mechanistic analysis indicated that these effects of 23-HBA during HCC were involved with the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway inactivation and resulted in decreased phosphorylation of both mitogen-activated protein kinases 1/2 and extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2. Our study reveals that 23-HBA acts as a tumor suppressor agent and suppresses HCC tumorigenesis, metastasis and immunosuppression via blockade of the MAPK signaling pathway, suggesting that 23-HBA may serve as a promising drug target to treat HCC.
Collapse
|
9
|
Design and synthesis of NAD(P)H: Quinone oxidoreductase (NQO1)-activated prodrugs of 23-hydroxybetulinic acid with enhanced antitumor properties. Eur J Med Chem 2022; 240:114575. [PMID: 35803175 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2022.114575] [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: 04/18/2022] [Revised: 06/24/2022] [Accepted: 06/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
A series of NQO1 selectively activated prodrugs were designed and synthesized by introducing indolequinone moiety to the C-3, C-23 or C-28 position of 23-hydroxybetulinic acid (23-HBA) and its analogues. Among them, the representative compound 32j exhibited significant antiproliferative activities against NQO1-overexpressing HT-29 cells and A549 cells, with IC50 values of 1.87 and 2.36 μM, respectively, which were 20-30-fold more potent than those of parent compound 23-HBA. More importantly, it was demonstrated in the in vivo antitumor experiment that 32j effectively suppressed the tumor volume and largely reduced tumor weight by 72.69% with no apparent toxicity, which was more potent than the positive control 5-fluorouracil. This is the first breakthrough in the improvement of in vivo antitumor activities of 23-HBA derivatives. The further molecular mechanism study revealed that 32j blocked cell cycle arrest at G2/M phase, induced cell apoptosis, depolarized mitochondria and elevated the intracellular ROS levels in a dose-dependent manner. Western blot analysis indicated that 32j induced cell apoptosis by interfering with the expression of apoptosis-related proteins. These findings suggest that compound 32j could be considered as a potent antitumor prodrug candidate which deserves to be further investigated for personalized cancer therapy.
Collapse
|
10
|
Synthesis, biological evaluation and mechanism studies of C-3 substituted nitrogenous heterocyclic 23-Hydroxybetulinic acid derivatives as anticancer agents. Fitoterapia 2022; 160:105222. [PMID: 35618147 DOI: 10.1016/j.fitote.2022.105222] [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: 04/04/2022] [Revised: 05/12/2022] [Accepted: 05/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
A series of novel nitrogenous heterocycle substituted 23-Hydroxybetulinic acid (23-HBA) derivatives with amide linkages at the C-3 position were designed, synthesized and evaluated for their antitumor activities. The biological screening results showed that most of the derivatives exhibited more potent antiproliferative activities than 23-HBA. In particular compound II-9 exhibited the most potent activities with IC50 values ranging from 1.96 μM to 6.20 μM against five cancer cell lines (B16, HepG2, A2780, MCF-7 and A549). The preliminary mechanism study showed that compound II-9 caused cell cycle arrest at G1 phase, induced cell apoptosis and depolarized mitochondria of B16 cells in a dose dependent manner. Moreover, western blot analysis indicated that compound II-9 down-regulated the expression of anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2, up-regulated the expression of pro-apoptotic protein Bad, and activated cytochrome C and caspase 3 to cause cell apoptosis. In summary, II-9 may serve as a promising lead for the development of new natural product-based antitumor agents and deserve further investigation.
Collapse
|
11
|
Abstract
![]()
The triterpenoid
natural products have played an important role
in understanding mechanistic models of human diseases. These natural
products are diverse, but many have been characterized as reactive
oxygen species (ROS) modulators. ROS can regulate cell survival and
function, which ultimately affects biological processes leading to
disease. The triterpenoids offer an untapped source of creativity
to generate tool compounds with high selectivity to regulate ROS.
This brief Review highlights the diverse complexity by which these
secondary metabolites induce many cell death modalities (apoptosis,
autophagy, ferroptosis, etc.) that can affect various complex cell
signaling pathways through ROS and ultimately lead to evading or accelerating
cell death.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Taotao Ling
- Department of Chemistry, Lousiana State University, 133 Chopping Hall, Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70803, United States
| | - Lucinda Boyd
- Department of Chemistry, Lousiana State University, 133 Chopping Hall, Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70803, United States
| | - Fatima Rivas
- Department of Chemistry, Lousiana State University, 133 Chopping Hall, Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70803, United States
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Synthesis, biological evaluation and cellular localization study of fluorescent derivatives of Jiyuan Oridonin A. Eur J Med Chem 2021; 229:114048. [PMID: 34954589 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2021.114048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2021] [Revised: 12/06/2021] [Accepted: 12/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Jiyuan Oridonin A (JOA) is a naturally occurring ent-kaurane diterpenoid that exhibits significant potential in the field of anti-tumor drug development. However, its detailed anti-cancer mechanism of action has not been fully understood. In order to investigate its anticancer mode of action, two series of novel fluorescent derivatives of JOA conjugated with naphthalimide dyes were synthesized, and their antitumor activity against five selected cancer cell lines (MGC-803, SW1990, PC-3, TE-1 and HGC-27) was evaluated. Compared with JOA, the anti-tumor activity of the vast majority of compounds were improved. Among them, B12 exhibited promising anti-proliferative activity against HGC-27 cells with IC50 value of 0.39 ± 0.09 μM. Fluorescence imaging studies demonstrated that probe B12 could enter HGC-27 cells in a dose-dependent and time-dependent manner and was mainly accumulated in mitochondria. Preliminary biological mechanism studies indicated that B12 was able to inhibit cell cloning and migration. Further studies suggested that B12-induced apoptosis was related to the mitochondrial pathway. Overall, our results provide new approaches to explore the molecular mechanism of the natural product JOA, which would contribute to its further development as an antitumor agent.
Collapse
|
13
|
Wang L, Sheng W, Tan Z, Ren Q, Wang R, Stoika R, Liu X, Liu K, Shang X, Jin M. Treatment of Parkinson's disease in Zebrafish model with a berberine derivative capable of crossing blood brain barrier, targeting mitochondria, and convenient for bioimaging experiments. Comp Biochem Physiol C Toxicol Pharmacol 2021; 249:109151. [PMID: 34343700 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpc.2021.109151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2021] [Revised: 06/23/2021] [Accepted: 07/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Berberine is a famous alkaloid extracted from Berberis plants and has been widely used as medications and functional food additives. Recent studies reveal that berberine exhibits neuroprotective activity in animal models of Parkinson's disease (PD), the second most prevalent neurodegenerative disorders all over the world. However, the actual site of anti-PD action of berberine remains largely unknown. To this end, we employed a fluorescently labeled berberine derivative BBRP to investigate the subcellular localization and blood brain barrier (BBB) permeability in a cellular model of PD and zebrafish PD model. Biological investigations revealed that BBRP retained the neuroprotective activity of berberine against PD-like symptoms in PC12 cells and zebrafish, such as protecting 6-OHDA induced cell death, relieving MPTP induced PD-like behavior and increasing dopaminergic neuron loss in zebrafish. We also found that BBRP could readily penetrate BBB and function in the brain of zebrafish suffering from PD. Subcellular localization study indicated that BBRP could rapidly and specifically accumulate in mitochondria of PC12 cells when it exerted anti-PD effect. In addition, BBRP could suppress accumulation of Pink1 protein and inhibit the overexpression of LC3 protein in 6-OHDA damaged cells. All these results suggested that the potential site of action of berberine is mitochondria in the brain under the PD condition. Therefore, the findings described herein would be useful for further development of berberine as an anti-PD drug.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lizhen Wang
- Biology Institute, Qilu University of Technology, Shandong Academy of Sciences, Jinan 250103, Shandong Province, China; Engineering Research Center of Zebrafish Models for Human Diseases and Drug Screening of Shandong Province, Jinan 250103, Shandong Province, China
| | - Wenlong Sheng
- Biology Institute, Qilu University of Technology, Shandong Academy of Sciences, Jinan 250103, Shandong Province, China; Engineering Research Center of Zebrafish Models for Human Diseases and Drug Screening of Shandong Province, Jinan 250103, Shandong Province, China
| | - Zhaoshun Tan
- School of Bioengineering, Qilu University of Technology, Shandong Academy of Sciences, 3501 Daxue Road, Jinan 250353, Shandong Province, China
| | - Qingyu Ren
- School of Psychology and mental health, North China University of Science and Technology, 21 Bohai Road, Tang'shan 063210, Hebei Province, China
| | - Rongchun Wang
- Biology Institute, Qilu University of Technology, Shandong Academy of Sciences, Jinan 250103, Shandong Province, China; Engineering Research Center of Zebrafish Models for Human Diseases and Drug Screening of Shandong Province, Jinan 250103, Shandong Province, China
| | - Rostyslav Stoika
- Department of Regulation of Cell Proliferation and Apoptosis, Institute of Cell Biology, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Lviv 79005, Ukraine
| | - Xuedong Liu
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Colorado at Boulder, Boulder, CO 80303, United States of America
| | - Kechun Liu
- Biology Institute, Qilu University of Technology, Shandong Academy of Sciences, Jinan 250103, Shandong Province, China; Engineering Research Center of Zebrafish Models for Human Diseases and Drug Screening of Shandong Province, Jinan 250103, Shandong Province, China
| | - Xueliang Shang
- School of Psychology and mental health, North China University of Science and Technology, 21 Bohai Road, Tang'shan 063210, Hebei Province, China.
| | - Meng Jin
- Biology Institute, Qilu University of Technology, Shandong Academy of Sciences, Jinan 250103, Shandong Province, China; Engineering Research Center of Zebrafish Models for Human Diseases and Drug Screening of Shandong Province, Jinan 250103, Shandong Province, China.
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Bailly C. Acankoreagenin and acankoreosides, a family of lupane triterpenoids with anti-inflammatory properties: an overview. Ann N Y Acad Sci 2021; 1502:14-27. [PMID: 34145915 DOI: 10.1111/nyas.14623] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2021] [Revised: 05/12/2021] [Accepted: 05/21/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Acankoreagenin (ACK, also known as acankoreanogenin and HLEDA) and impressic acid are two lupane-type triterpenes that can be isolated from various Acanthopanax and Schefflera species. They efficiently block activation of the NF-κB signaling pathway and the release of proinflammatory cytokines and/or the action of inflammation mediators (HMGB1, iNOS, and NO). These effects are the basis for the antiviral and anticancer activities reported with these pentacyclic compounds or their various glycoside derivatives. More than 15 acankoreosides (Ack-A to -O, and -R) and a few other mono- and bidesmosidic saponins (acantrifoside A and acangraciliside S) derive from the ACK aglycone. Compounds like Ack-A and -B are remarkable anti-inflammatory agents, inhibiting cytokine release from activated macrophages. Despite their effectiveness, ACK and impressic acid are far much less known and studied than the structurally related compounds betulinic acid and 23-hydroxybetulinic acid (anemosapogenin). The structural differences (notably the R/S stereoisomerism of the 3-hydroxyl group) and functional similarities of these compounds are discussed. The complete series of acankoreosides is presented for the first time. These natural products deserve further attention as anti-inflammatory agents, and ACK is recommended as a template for the design of new anticancer and antiviral drugs.
Collapse
|
15
|
Vega-Granados K, Medina-O’Donnell M, Rivas F, Reyes-Zurita FJ, Martinez A, Alvarez de Cienfuegos L, Lupiañez JA, Parra A. Synthesis and Biological Activity of Triterpene-Coumarin Conjugates. JOURNAL OF NATURAL PRODUCTS 2021; 84:1587-1597. [PMID: 33956447 PMCID: PMC8476055 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jnatprod.1c00128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
A set of 12 maslinic acid-coumarin conjugates was synthesized, with 9 being maslinic acid-diamine-coumarin conjugates at the C-28 carboxylic acid group of triterpene acid and the other three being maslinic acid-coumarin conjugates at C-2/C-3 and/or C-28 of the triterpene skeleton. The cytotoxic effects of these 12 triterpene conjugates were evaluated in three cancer cell lines (B16-F10, HT29, and Hep G2) and compared, respectively, with three nontumor cell lines from the same or similar tissue (HPF, IEC-18, and WRL68). The most potent cytotoxic results were achieved by a conjugate with two molecules of coumarin-3-carboxylic acid coupled through the C-2 and C-3 hydroxy groups of maslinic acid. This conjugate showed submicromolar IC50 values in two of the three cancer cell lines tested (0.6, 1.1, and 0.9 μM), being between 110- and 30-fold more effective than its corresponding precursor. Furthermore, this conjugate (10) showed percentages of cell viability for the three nontumor lines of 90%. Four maslinic acid-coumarin conjugates displayed apoptotic effects in the treated cells, with total apoptosis rates of between 40 and 85%, relative to the control. Almost all the compounds assayed caused cell-cycle arrest in all cancer cell lines, increasing the number of these cells in the G0/G1 phase.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Karina Vega-Granados
- Departamento
de Química Orgánica, Universidad
de Granada, E-18071 Granada, Spain
| | | | - Francisco Rivas
- Departamento
de Química Orgánica, Universidad
de Granada, E-18071 Granada, Spain
- Phone/Fax: +34 958 240479.
| | - Fernando J. Reyes-Zurita
- Departamento
de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular I, Universidad de Granada, E-18071 Granada, Spain
- Phone: +34-958-243252.
| | - Antonio Martinez
- Departamento
de Química Orgánica, Universidad
de Granada, E-18071 Granada, Spain
| | | | - Jose A. Lupiañez
- Departamento
de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular I, Universidad de Granada, E-18071 Granada, Spain
| | - Andres Parra
- Departamento
de Química Orgánica, Universidad
de Granada, E-18071 Granada, Spain
- Phone: +34 958 240480. Fax: +34 958 248437.
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Barreto Vianna DR, Gotardi J, Baggio Gnoatto SC, Pilger DA. Natural and Semisynthetic Pentacyclic Triterpenes for Chronic Myeloid Leukemia Therapy: Reality, Challenges and Perspectives. ChemMedChem 2021; 16:1835-1860. [PMID: 33682360 DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.202100038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2021] [Revised: 03/05/2021] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is a neoplasm characterized by BCR-ABL1, an oncoprotein with vital role in leukemogenesis. Its inhibition by tyrosine kinase inhibitors represents the main choice of treatment. However, therapeutic failure is worrying given the lack of pharmacological options. Pentacyclic triterpenes are phytochemicals with outstanding antitumoral properties and have also been explored as a basis for the design of potential leads. In this review, we have gathered and discuss data regarding both natural and semisynthetic pentacyclic triterpenes applied to CML cell treatment. We found consistent evidence that the class of pentacyclic triterpenes in general exerts promising pro-apoptotic and antiproliferative activities in sensitive and resistant CML cells, and thus represents a rich source for drug development. We also analyze the predicted drug-like properties of the molecules, discuss the structural changes with biological implications and show the great opportunities this class represents, as well as the perspectives they provide on drug discovery for CML treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Débora Renz Barreto Vianna
- Laboratory of Biochemical and Cytological Analysis, Postgraduate Program in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Avenida Ipiranga, 2752 CEP, 90610-000, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Jessica Gotardi
- Laboratory of Phytochemistry and Organic Synthesis, Postgraduate Program in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (Brazil), Avenida Ipiranga 2752, 90610-000, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Simone Cristina Baggio Gnoatto
- Laboratory of Phytochemistry and Organic Synthesis, Postgraduate Program in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (Brazil), Avenida Ipiranga 2752, 90610-000, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Diogo André Pilger
- Laboratory of Biochemical and Cytological Analysis, Postgraduate Program in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Avenida Ipiranga, 2752 CEP, 90610-000, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Small-Scale Preparation of Fluorescently Labeled Chemical Probes from Marine Cyclic Peptides, Kapakahines A and F. Mar Drugs 2021; 19:md19020076. [PMID: 33572527 PMCID: PMC7912572 DOI: 10.3390/md19020076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2021] [Revised: 01/24/2021] [Accepted: 01/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
A number of bioactive marine natural products have been isolated so far, but it is still difficult to disclose their modes of action. In this study, we prepared fluorescently labeled chemical probes from the cytotoxic marine cyclic peptides kapakahines A (1) and F (2) to visualize their localization as the first step of the study of their modes of action. We used fluorescent dyes 3a or 3a/b (a 1:1 mixture of 3a and 3b) whose terminal N-hydroxysuccinimide (NHS) group can react with the free amino groups of kapakahines. The fluorescently labeled kapakahine A (Kap A-5-FL, 5a) stained P388 murine leukemia cells and HeLa human cervical cancer cells, while cells treated with fluorescently labeled kapakahine F (Kap F-5-FL, 6a) only weakly stained them. Further analysis of the confocal images of the stained cells with higher magnification (×100) indicated the localization of Kap A-5-FL (5a) in the cells. In this paper, we report the small-scale preparation and a new delivery method of fluorescent probes, as well as the application of these procedures to cell staining.
Collapse
|
18
|
Jin M, Ji X, Stoika R, Liu K, Wang L, Song Y. Synthesis of a novel fluorescent berberine derivative convenient for its subcellular localization study. Bioorg Chem 2020; 101:104021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2020.104021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2020] [Revised: 04/21/2020] [Accepted: 06/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
|
19
|
Li M, Yuan L, Chen Y, Ma W, Ran F, Zhang L, Zhou D, Xiao S. Rhodamine B-based fluorescent probes for molecular mechanism study of the anti-influenza activity of pentacyclic triterpenes. Eur J Med Chem 2020; 205:112664. [PMID: 32755747 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2020.112664] [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: 03/11/2020] [Revised: 07/08/2020] [Accepted: 07/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
The antiviral activity of pentacyclic triterpenes has attracted increasing attention. However, the detailed antiviral mechanism remains fully unclear. In the present study, four C28 or C30 modified pentacyclic triterpene probes via conjugating with rhodamine B were designed and synthesized, and their anti-influenza virus activity was evaluated. The results indicated that two compounds 14 and 23 showed significant antiviral activity to influenza A/WSN/33 (H1N1) virus in Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells with IC50 values of 8.36 and 8.24 μM, respectively. The mechanism of action studies of representative probe 23 indicated that it could inhibit the membrane fusion by binding with influenza virus hemagglutinin (HA), and the apparent dissociation constant (KD) value for probe 23-HA interaction was successfully evaluated (1.78 × 10-5 M) using surface plasmon resonance spectroscopy. In addition, the subcellular localization of probe 23 in MDCK cells was determined by confocal microscopy and flow cytometry, and the results suggested that fluorescent probe 23 was rapidly taken up in MDCK cells and accumulated in cytoplasm, but no antiviral activity was observed after its entry into cells. The present study further confirmed our previous finding that pentacyclic triterpenes could tightly bind to the viral envelope HA protein, thus blocking the virus entry into host cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Man Li
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Lan Yuan
- Centre of Medical and Health Analysis, Peking University, Beijing, 100191, China.
| | - Yingying Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Wenxiao Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Fuxiang Ran
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Lihe Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Demin Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Sulong Xiao
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100191, China; State Key Laboratory of Phytochemistry and Plant Resources in West China, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, 650201, China.
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Li YH, Zou M, Han Q, Deng LR, Weinshilboum RM. Therapeutic potential of triterpenoid saponin anemoside B4 from Pulsatilla chinensis. Pharmacol Res 2020; 160:105079. [PMID: 32679180 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2020.105079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2020] [Revised: 07/02/2020] [Accepted: 07/10/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Pulsatilla Decoction (Bai-Tou-Weng-Tang) has been used medically in China for thousands of years for the treatment of diseases caused by bacteria. In recent decades, Pulsatilla Decoction is becoming a well-known formula prescription used for the treatment of ulcerative colitis in traditional Chinese medicine. Pulsatilla chinensis is the chief herbal source of Pulsatilla Decoction, and it is rich in triterpenoid saponins, such as anemoside B4, anemoside A3, and 23-hydroxybetulinic acid. Anemoside B4 is the most abundant of that group and has been used as a quality control marker for Pulsatilla chinensis. As the major active component of Pulsatilla chinensis, anemoside B4 has also received attention as a pure compound for its therapeutic potential. In this review, we systematically analyze the findings on triterpenoid saponins, especially anemoside B4, anemoside A3 and 23-hydroxybetulinic acid, included in Pulsatilla chinensis and Pulsatilla Decoction. We discuss the pharmacokinetics and tissue distribution of these triterpenoid saponins as well as their biological activities. We also summarize the pharmacological effects of anemoside B4 and its two possible metabolites, anemoside A3 and 23-hydroxybetulinic acid, as pure compounds. In summary, this review sketches a profile of the state of existing knowledge with regard to the pharmacological effects of anemoside B4, especially its anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects. These findings point to the possibility that anemoside B4 has potential to be studied further as a natural compound-originated immunomodulatory agent for the treatment of inflammatory diseases such as ulcerative colitis and thus, may represent one of the most important active components of Pulsatilla Decoction responsible for its anti-ulcerative colitis efficacy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yan-Hong Li
- School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China; Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA.
| | - Min Zou
- School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China
| | - Qian Han
- School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China
| | - Li-Rong Deng
- School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China
| | - Richard M Weinshilboum
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Wang Y, Xu B, Sun R, Xu YJ, Ge JF. The application of nitrogen heterocycles in mitochondrial-targeting fluorescent markers with neutral skeletons. J Mater Chem B 2020; 8:7466-7474. [DOI: 10.1039/d0tb01377c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Neutral fluorescent markers containing nitrogen heterocycles as targeting groups were designed and prepared to screen out structural units for targeting mitochondria.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yue Wang
- College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Materials Science
- Soochow University
- Suzhou 215123
- China
| | - Bing Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Protection, School of Radiation Medicine and Protection and Collaborative Innovation Center of Radiation Medicine of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions
- Soochow University
- Suzhou 215123
- China
| | - Ru Sun
- College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Materials Science
- Soochow University
- Suzhou 215123
- China
| | - Yu-Jie Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Protection, School of Radiation Medicine and Protection and Collaborative Innovation Center of Radiation Medicine of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions
- Soochow University
- Suzhou 215123
- China
| | - Jian-Feng Ge
- College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Materials Science
- Soochow University
- Suzhou 215123
- China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Medical Optics
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Hodon J, Borkova L, Pokorny J, Kazakova A, Urban M. Design and synthesis of pentacyclic triterpene conjugates and their use in medicinal research. Eur J Med Chem 2019; 182:111653. [PMID: 31499360 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2019.111653] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2019] [Revised: 08/27/2019] [Accepted: 08/27/2019] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Triterpenoids are natural products from plants and many other organisms that have various biological activities, such as antitumor, antiviral, antimicrobial, and protective activities. This review covers the synthesis and biological evaluation of pentacyclic triterpene (PT) conjugates with other molecules that have been found to increase the IC50 or improve the pharmacological profile of the parent PT. Some of these molecules are designed to target specific proteins or cellular organelles, which has resulted in highly selective lead structures for drug development. Other PT conjugates are useful for investigating their mechanism of action. This concept has been very successful: 1) Many compounds, especially mitochondria-targeting PT conjugates, have reached a selective cytotoxicity at low nanomolar concentrations in cancer cells. 2) A number of PT conjugates have had high activity against HIV or the influenza virus. 3) Fluorescent PT conjugates have been able to visualize the PT in living cells, which has allowed quantification of the uptake and distribution of the PT within the cell. 4) Biotinylated PT conjugates have been used to identify target proteins, which may help to show their mechanism of action. 5) A large number of PT conjugates with polyethylene glycol (PEG), polyamines, etc. form nanometer-sized micelles that have a much better pharmacological profile than the PT alone. In summary, the connection of a PT to an appropriate modifying molecule has resulted in extremely useful semisynthetic compounds with a high potential to treat cancer or viral infections or compounds that are useful for the study of the mechanism of action of PTs at the molecular level.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jiri Hodon
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Palacky University, 17. listopadu 1192/12, 771 46, Olomouc, Czech Republic
| | - Lucie Borkova
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Palacky University, 17. listopadu 1192/12, 771 46, Olomouc, Czech Republic
| | - Jan Pokorny
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Palacky University, 17. listopadu 1192/12, 771 46, Olomouc, Czech Republic
| | - Anna Kazakova
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Palacky University, 17. listopadu 1192/12, 771 46, Olomouc, Czech Republic
| | - Milan Urban
- Institute of Molecular and Translational Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Palacky University, Hnevotinská 5, 779 00, Olomouc, Czech Republic.
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Synthesis, biological evaluation and mechanism studies of C-23 modified 23-hydroxybetulinic acid derivatives as anticancer agents. Eur J Med Chem 2019; 182:111659. [PMID: 31491611 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2019.111659] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2019] [Revised: 08/21/2019] [Accepted: 08/28/2019] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
A series of C-23 modified 23-hydroxybetulinic acid (HBA) derivatives were synthesized and evaluated for their antiproliferative activity against a panel of cancer cell lines (A2780, A375, B16, MCF-7 and HepG2). The biological screening results showed that most of the derivatives exhibited more potent antiproliferative activity than HBA, and compound 6e exhibited the most potent activity with IC50 values of 2.14 μM, 2.89 μM, and 3.97 μM against A2780, B16, and MCF-7 cells, respectively. Further anticancer mechanism studies revealed that compound 6e induced the generation of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reduction of mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) of B16 cells in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, western blot analysis indicated that compound 6e downregulated the expression of anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2 and upregulated the expression of proapoptotic protein Bax, activation of caspase 3 to induce cell apoptosis. Meanwhile, compound 6e significantly inhibited the phosphorylation of MEK, ERK, and Akt without affecting the expression of MEK, ERK, and Akt. Furthermore, the in vivo anti-tumor activity of 6e was validated (tumor inhibitory ratio of 68.4% at the dose of 30 mg/kg) in mice with B16 melanoma.
Collapse
|
24
|
Cai G, Yu W, Song D, Zhang W, Guo J, Zhu J, Ren Y, Kong L. Discovery of fluorescent coumarin-benzo[b]thiophene 1, 1-dioxide conjugates as mitochondria-targeting antitumor STAT3 inhibitors. Eur J Med Chem 2019; 174:236-251. [PMID: 31048139 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2019.04.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2019] [Revised: 03/18/2019] [Accepted: 04/10/2019] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
STAT3 has been extensively studied as a potential antitumor target. Though studies on regulating STAT3 mainly focus on the inhibition of STAT3 phosphorylation at Tyr705 residue, the phosphorylation at Ser727 residue of STAT3 protein is also closely associated with the mitochondrial import of STAT3 protein. N, N-diethyl-7-aminocoumarin is a fluorescent mitochondria-targeting probe. In this study, a series of STAT3 inhibitors were developed by connecting N, N-diethyl-7-aminocoumarin fluorophore with benzo [b]thiophene 1, 1-dioxide moiety. All designed compounds displayed potent anti-proliferative activity against cancer cells. The representative compound 7a was mainly accumulated in mitochondria visualized by its fluorescence. STAT3 phosphorylation was inhibited by compound 7a at both Tyr705 and Ser727 residues. Compound 7a inhibited STAT3 phosphorylation whereas had no influence on the phosphorylation levels of STAT1, JAK2, Src and Erk1/2, indicating good selectivity of compound 7a. Moreover, compound 7a down-regulated the expression of STAT3 target genes Bcl-2 and Cyclin D1, increased ROS production and remarkably reduced the mitochondrial membrane potential to induce mitochondrial apoptotic pathway. Furthermore, compound 7ain vivo suppressed breast cancer 4T1 implanted tumor growth. Taken together, these results highlighted that compound 7a might be a promising mitochondria-targeting STAT3 inhibitor for cancer therapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Guiping Cai
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Bioactive Natural Product Research and State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, 24 Tong Jia Xiang, Nanjing, 210009, PR China
| | - Wenying Yu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Bioactive Natural Product Research and State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, 24 Tong Jia Xiang, Nanjing, 210009, PR China.
| | - Dongmei Song
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Bioactive Natural Product Research and State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, 24 Tong Jia Xiang, Nanjing, 210009, PR China
| | - Wenda Zhang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Bioactive Natural Product Research and State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, 24 Tong Jia Xiang, Nanjing, 210009, PR China
| | - Jianpeng Guo
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Bioactive Natural Product Research and State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, 24 Tong Jia Xiang, Nanjing, 210009, PR China
| | - Jiawen Zhu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Bioactive Natural Product Research and State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, 24 Tong Jia Xiang, Nanjing, 210009, PR China
| | - Yuhao Ren
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Bioactive Natural Product Research and State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, 24 Tong Jia Xiang, Nanjing, 210009, PR China
| | - Lingyi Kong
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Bioactive Natural Product Research and State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, 24 Tong Jia Xiang, Nanjing, 210009, PR China.
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Sousa JLC, Freire CSR, Silvestre AJD, Silva AMS. Recent Developments in the Functionalization of Betulinic Acid and Its Natural Analogues: A Route to New Bioactive Compounds. Molecules 2019; 24:molecules24020355. [PMID: 30669472 PMCID: PMC6359067 DOI: 10.3390/molecules24020355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2018] [Revised: 01/15/2019] [Accepted: 01/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Betulinic acid (BA) and its natural analogues betulin (BN), betulonic (BoA), and 23-hydroxybetulinic (HBA) acids are lupane-type pentacyclic triterpenoids. They are present in many plants and display important biological activities. This review focuses on the chemical transformations used to functionalize BA/BN/BoA/HBA in order to obtain new derivatives with improved biological activity, covering the period since 2013 to 2018. It is divided by the main chemical transformations reported in the literature, including amination, esterification, alkylation, sulfonation, copper(I)-catalyzed alkyne-azide cycloaddition, palladium-catalyzed cross-coupling, hydroxylation, and aldol condensation reactions. In addition, the synthesis of heterocycle-fused BA/HBA derivatives and polymer‒BA conjugates are also addressed. The new derivatives are mainly used as antitumor agents, but there are other biological applications such as antimalarial activity, drug delivery, bioimaging, among others.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Joana L C Sousa
- QOPNA & LAQV-REQUIMTE, Department of Chemistry, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal.
- CICECO, Department of Chemistry, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal.
| | - Carmen S R Freire
- CICECO, Department of Chemistry, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal.
| | | | - Artur M S Silva
- QOPNA & LAQV-REQUIMTE, Department of Chemistry, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal.
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Mah S, Jang J, Song D, Shin Y, Latif M, Jung Y, Hong S. Discovery of fluorescent 3-heteroarylcoumarin derivatives as novel inhibitors of anaplastic lymphoma kinase. Org Biomol Chem 2019; 17:186-194. [DOI: 10.1039/c8ob02874e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Coumarin-based ALK inhibitors were identified as a new template for the development of novel fluorescent ALK inhibitors, which can be tracked using microscopy techniques.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shinmee Mah
- Department of Chemistry
- Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST)
- Daejeon 34141
- Republic of Korea
- Center for Catalytic Hydrocarbon Functionalizations
| | - Jaebong Jang
- Center for Catalytic Hydrocarbon Functionalizations
- Institute for Basic Science (IBS)
- Daejeon 34141
- Republic of Korea
| | - Daesun Song
- Department of Chemistry
- Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST)
- Daejeon 34141
- Republic of Korea
| | - Yongje Shin
- Department of Chemistry
- Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST)
- Daejeon 34141
- Republic of Korea
- Center for Catalytic Hydrocarbon Functionalizations
| | - Muhammad Latif
- Center for Catalytic Hydrocarbon Functionalizations
- Institute for Basic Science (IBS)
- Daejeon 34141
- Republic of Korea
- Centre for Genetics and Inherited Diseases (CGID)
| | - Yongwon Jung
- Department of Chemistry
- Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST)
- Daejeon 34141
- Republic of Korea
| | - Sungwoo Hong
- Department of Chemistry
- Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST)
- Daejeon 34141
- Republic of Korea
- Center for Catalytic Hydrocarbon Functionalizations
| |
Collapse
|