Effect of green tea catechins and hydrolyzable tannins on benzo[a]pyrene-induced DNA adducts and structure-activity relationship

Ameliorative potential of synbiotic combination of Lactobacillus sp. and polyphenols against Benzo[a]pyrene-induced toxicity in Caco-2 cell line

Exposure to benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P), a major global food safety concern, is often associated with increasing incidence of colorectal cancers. This in-vitro study was focused on the identification of potential B[a]P-adsorbing Lactobacillus strains and evaluation of the ameliorative effect of synbiotic combination of selected Lactobacillus sp. and polyphenols (quercetin or resveratrol) against B[a]P-induced intestinal toxicity in Caco-2 cells. Preliminary studies lead to the selection of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum MTCC 25433 strain that showed 86% of B[a]P adsorption in 2 h as compared to L. rhamnosus GG that showed 74% of B[a]P adsorption. B[a]P adsorption by MTCC 25433 was reduced to 9%, 16% and 20% upon pre-treatment with SDS, NaIO4 and mutanolysin, attributing the involvement of cell wall proteins and polysaccharides in the adsorption. Additionally, peptidoglycan of both strains adsorbed >50% of B[a]P. In-vitro assays revealed that the selected LAB mitigated the B[a]P-induced epithelial cell damage. Among the polyphenols, quercetin, resveratrol and curcumin, varied in their potency to mitigate B[a]P-induced oxidative stress, with curcumin being least effective. Combinations of selected Lactobacillus sp. and polyphenols were more potent in averting B[a]P-induced toxicity via increase in GSH (17-30 %), SOD (50-88 %), catalase (19-45 %), and reduction in IL-8 secretion (14-28 %) and barrier dysfunction. Principal component analysis affirmed the superior potency of combination of L. plantarum MTCC 25433 and quercetin in averting B[a]P-induced toxicity. Overall, this study highlighted a novel promising strategy of synbiotic combination of Lactobacillus sp. and polyphenols (quercetin or resveratrol) in alleviating the B[a]P-induced toxicity in intestinal epithelial cells.

Tannins in cancer prevention and therapy

Tannins are a heterogenous class of polyphenolic natural products with promising cancer chemopreventive and therapeutic potential. Studies undertaken over the last 30 years have demonstrated their capacity to target many cellular pathways and molecules important in the development of cancer. Recently, new mechanisms that might be important in anti-carcinogenic activity, such as inhibition of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, reduction of cancer stem cell creation, and modulation of cancer cells metabolism have been described. Along with the mechanisms underlying the anti-cancer activity of tannins, this review focuses on their possible application as chemosensitizers in adjuvant therapy and countering multidrug resistance. Furthermore, characteristic physicochemical properties of some tannins, particularly tannic acid, are useful in the formation of nanovehicles for anticancer drugs or the isolation of circulating cancer cells. These new potential applications of tannins deserve further studies. Well-designed clinical trials, which are scarce, are needed to assess the therapeutic effects of tannins themselves or as adjuvants in cancer treatment.

Proteomic Analysis of the Protective Effect of Eriodictyol on Benzo(a)pyrene-Induced Caco-2 Cytotoxicity

We evaluated the possible protective effects of six polyphenols on benzo(a)pyrene (BaP)-induced cytotoxicity in Caco-2 cells. We show that treatment with quinic acid, ferulic acid, homovanillic acid, trolox and BaP decreased cell viability, whereas naringenin and eriodictyol affected viability in a bi-phasic manner with low concentrations decreasing viability whereas higher concentrations increase viability. Co-treatment with 20 μM eriodictyol or naringenin reduced BaP-induced cytotoxicity, including cell apoptosis, cell cycle progression, and oxidative stress. Our results show that the protective effect of eriodictyol was superior to that of naringenin. The potential protective mechanisms of eriodictyol on BaP-induced toxicity were investigated by proteomics. We identified 80 differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) with proteins associated with genetic information processing pathway representing the highest proportion and number of proteins responding to eriodictyol treatment, including key proteins such as RPA2, SNRPA, RAD23B, NUP155 and AARS. Our results provide new knowledge on how polyphenols may prevent BaP-induced carcinogenesis.

Preventive activity of Copaifera langsdorffii Desf. leaves extract and its major compounds, afzelin and quercitrin, on DNA damage in in vitro and in vivo models

Copaifera langsdorffii Desf. is a plant found in South America, especially in Brazil. Oleoresin and the leaves of this plant is used as a popular medicinal agent. However, few studies on the chemical composition of aerial parts and related biological activities are known. This study aimed to examine the cytotoxic, genotoxic, and antigenotoxic potential of C. langsdorffii aerial parts hydroalcoholic extract (CLE) and two of its major compounds afzelin and quercitrin. The cytotoxic and antigenotoxic potential of CLE was determined as follows: 1) against genotoxicity induced by doxorubicin (DXR) or methyl methanesulfonate (MMS) in V79 cells; 2) by direct and indirect-acting mutagens in Salmonella typhimurium strains; and 3) by MMS in male Swiss mice. The protective effects of afzelin and quercitrin against DXR or MMS were also evaluated in V79 and HepG2 cells. CLE was cytotoxic as evidenced by clonogenic efficiency assay. Further, CLE did not induce a significant change in frequencies of chromosomal aberrations and micronuclei; as well as number of revertants in the Ames test demonstrating absence of genotoxicity. In contrast, CLE was found to be antigenotoxic in mammalian cells. The results also showed that CLE exerted inhibitory effect against indirect-acting mutagens in the Ames test. Afzelin and quercitrin did not reduce genotoxicity induced by DXR or MMS in V79 cells. However, treatments using afzelin and quercitrin decreased MMS-induced genotoxicity in HepG2 cells. The antigenotoxic effect of CLE observed in this study may be partially attributed to the antioxidant activity of the combination of major components afzelin and quercitrin.

Direct Ethanol Production from Xylan and Acorn Using the Starch-Fermenting Basidiomycete Fungus Phlebia acerina

During our search for ethanol-producing basidiomycete fungi for a wide range of substrates, we isolated Phlebia acerina, which is a white rot basidiomycete fungus. It favorably converted starch into ethanol with approximately 70% yield. Although the yield decreased as the starch concentration increased, growth and fermentation were observed even at 200 g/L of starch. P. acerina produced ethanol from glucose, galactose, mannose, xylose, cellobiose, and maltose with 93%, 91%, 86%, 72%, 92%, and 68% yields, respectively. Additionally, P. acerina, which secreted xylanase and xylosidase, was capable of assimilating xylan and directly converting it to ethanol with a yield of 63%. Furthermore, P. acerina produced ethanol directly from acorns, which are plant fruits containing starch and tannins, with a yield of 70%. Tannin delayed mycelia growth, thus prolonging ethanol production; however, this did not particularly affect the yield. These results were similar to those of fermentation in a medium with the same amounts of starch and tannin as the target crop acorn, thus suggesting that P. acerina could successfully produce environmentally friendly ethanol from starch-containing lignocellulosic biomass, unlike previously reported ethanol-producing basidiomycete fungi.

Catechins Controlled Bioavailability of Benzo[a]pyrene (B[α]P) from the Gastrointestinal Tract to the Brain towards Reducing Brain Toxicity Using the In Vitro Bio-Mimic System Coupled with Sequential Co-Cultures

The aim of the current study was to examine the preventive effect of green tea catechins on the transport of Benzo[a]pyrene (B[α]P) into the brain using an in vitro bio-mimic system coupled with sequential co-cultures. When 72 μM of catechins was pre-treated, cellular cytotoxicity induced by IC₅₀ of B[α]P in human liver hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG2) and human brain microvascular endothelial cells (HBMECs) was reduced by 27% and 26%, respectively. The cellular integrity measured in HBMECs, which was exposed to IC₅₀ of B[α]P, slowly decreased. However, the pre-treatment of catechins retained cellular integrity that was 1.14 times higher than with the absence of catechins. Co-consumption of catechins reduced not only the bio-accessibility of B[α]P in digestive fluid, but it also decreased absorption of B[α]P in human intestinal epithelial cells (Caco-2) with a HepG2 co-culture system. It was found that approximately a two times lower amount of B[α]P was transported via the blood-brain barrier (BBB) compared to only the B[α]P intake. These results are taken in conjunction with each other support that catechins could be able to prevent brain toxicity induced by B[α]P in the human body by limiting the bio-availability of B[α]P.

Effects of Catechins and Their Related Compounds on Cellular Accumulation and Efflux Transport of Mitoxantrone in Caco-2 Cell Monolayers

The ability of catechins and their related compounds to inhibit breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP) function in Caco-2 cell monolayers was investigated with mitoxantrone as a BCRP substrate. The gallate or pyrogallol moiety on the catechin structure seemed to promote increased cellular accumulation and inhibit efflux transport of mitoxantrone. The ability of gallate catechins such as (-)-epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) and (-)-epicatechin gallate (ECG) to increase cellular accumulation and inhibit efflux transport of mitoxantrone was greater than that of nongallate catechins. Gallic acid octyl ester (GAO) also increased intracellular mitoxantrone accumulation. Experiments using GAO derivatives indicated that the gallate moiety required the presence of a long carbon chain for BCRP inhibition. Cellular accumulation and reduced efflux transport of mitoxantrone were greater with epigallocatechin 3-(3″-O-butyl) gallate than with EGCG. EGCG inhibition of BCRP seemed to be restricted by hydrophobicity. The co-administration of catechins, particularly EGCG and related compounds, with greater hydrophobicity may increase the therapeutic activities of BCRP substrates such as mitoxantrone.

Estrogenic and chemopreventive activities of xanthones and flavones of Syngonanthus (Eriocaulaceae)

The possible benefits of some bioactive flavones and xanthones present in plants of the genus Syngonanthus prompted us to screen them for estrogenic activity. However, scientific research has shown that such substances may have undesirable properties, such as mutagenicity, carcinogenicity and toxicity, which restrict their use as therapeutic agents. Hence, the aim of this study was to assess the estrogenicity and mutagenic and antimutagenic properties. We used recombinant yeast assay (RYA), with the strain BY4741 of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, and Ames test, with strains TA100, TA98, TA97a and TA102 of Salmonella typhimirium, to evaluate estrogenicity, mutagenicity and antimutagenicity of methanolic extracts of Syngonanthus dealbatus (S.d.), Syngonanthus macrolepsis (S.m.), Syngonanthus nitens (S.n.) and Syngonanthus suberosus (S.s.), and of 9 compounds isolated from them (1=luteolin, 2=mix of A-1,3,6-trihydroxy-2-methoxyxanthone and B-1,3,6-trihydroxy-2,5-dimethoxyxanthone, 3=1,5,7-trihydroxy-3,6-dimethoxyxanthone, 4=1,3,6,8-tetrahydroxy-2,5-dimethoxyxanthone, 5=1,3,6,8-tetrahydroxy-5-methoxyxanthone, 6=7-methoxyluteolin-8-C-β-glucopyranoside, 7=7-methoxyluteolin-6-C-β-glucopyranoside, 8=7,3'-dimethoxyluteolin-6-C-β-glucopyranoside and 9=6-hydroxyluteolin). The results indicated the estrogenic potential of the S. nitens methanol extract and four of its isolated xanthones, which exhibited, respectively, 14.74±1.63 nM; 19.54±6.61; 7.20±0.37; 6.71±1.02 e 10.01±4.26 nM of estradiol-equivalents (EEQ). None of the extracts or isolated compounds showed mutagenicity in any of the test strains and all of them showed antimutagenic potential, in particular preventing mutations caused by aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) and benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P). The results show that the xanthones, only isolated from the methanol extract of S. nitens capitula, probably were the responsible for its estrogenic activity and could be useful as phytoestrogens, providing a new opportunity to develop hormonal agents. In addition, flavones and xanthones could also be used as a new antimutagenic agent. Since, the mutagens are involved in the initiation and promotion of several human diseases, including cancer, the significance of novel bioactive phytocompounds in counteracting these pro-mutagenic and carcinogenic effects is now gaining credence.

Chemopreventive effects of the juice of Vitis coignetiae Pulliat on two-stage mouse skin carcinogenesis

Our study revealed the inhibitory effect of Vitis coignetiae Pulliat, known as Yamabudo in Japan, at the stages of multi-step carcinogenesis. The juice of Vitis coignetiae (Y-grape juice) was antimutagenic toward dimethylbenzo[a]anthracene (DMBA), aflatoxin B1, and benzo[a]pyrene in the Ames test. The Y-grape juice was also antigenotoxic in the micronucleus test using HepG2 cells toward DMBA and aflatoxin B1. Topical and oral administration of the Y-grape juice to mice inhibited the induction of inflammation of 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA). Topical and oral administration of the Y-grape juice significantly decreased the incidence and mean number of tumors in mice skin with the 2-stage tumorigenesis protocol. To elucidate the mechanisms underlying the antiinflammatory and antitumor promotion activity of the Y-grape juice, the effect of Y-grape juice on cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) activity in mouse ear treated with TPA was studied. Both topical and oral application of the Y-grape juice inhibited the TPA-induced increase in COX-2 activity. Caftaric acid, isolated and identified from the Y-grape juice, was antimutagenic toward DMBA and prevented TPA-induced inflammation in mice, suggesting caftaric acid participates in chemopreventive effect/activities of Y-grape juice.

Mutagenicity and antimutagenicity of (-)-hinokinin a trypanosomicidal compound measured by Salmonella microsome and comet assays

Background

The dibenzylbutyrolactone lignan (−)-hinokinin (HK) was derived by partial synthesis from (−)-cubebin, isolated from the dry seeds of the pepper, Piper cubeba. Considering the good trypanosomicidal activity of HK and recalling that natural products are promising starting points for the discovery of novel potentially therapeutic agents, the aim of the present study was to investigate the (anti) mutagenic∕ genotoxic activities of HK.

Methods

The mutagenic∕ genotoxic activities were evaluated by the Ames test on Salmonella typhimurium strains TA98, TA97a, TA100 and TA102, and the comet assay, so as to assess the safe use of HK in the treatment of Chagas’ disease. The antimutagenic ∕antigenotoxic potential of HK were also tested against the mutagenicity of a variety of direct and indirect acting mutagens, such as 4- nitro-o-phenylenediamine (NOPD), sodium azide (SA), mitomycin C (MMC), benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P), aflatoxin B₁ (AFB₁), 2-aminoanthracene (2-AA) and 2-aminofluorene (2-AF), by the Ames test, and doxorubicin (DXR) by the comet assay.

Results

The mutagenicity∕genotoxicity tests showed that HK did not induce any increase in the number of revertants or extent of DNA damage, demonstrating the absence of mutagenic and genotoxic activities. On the other hand, the results on the antimutagenic potential of HK showed a strong inhibitory effect against some direct and indirect-acting mutagens.

Conclusions

Regarding the use of HK as an antichagasic drug, the absence of mutagenic effects in animal cell and bacterial systems is encouraging. In addition, HK may be a new potential antigenotoxic ∕ antimutagenic agent from natural sources. However, the protective activity of HK is not general and varies with the type of DNA damage-inducing agent used.

Oxidative DNA adducts detected in vitro from redox activity of cigarette smoke constituents

Cigarette smoke contains a variety of carcinogens, cocarcinogens, mutagens, and tumor promoters. In addition to polycyclic aromatic carcinogens and tobacco-specific nitrosamines, cigarette smoke also contains an abundance of catechols, aldehydes, and other constituents, which are DNA damaging directly or indirectly; therefore, they can also contribute to cigarette smoke-mediated carcinogenicity. In this study, we investigated the potential of cigarette smoke constituents to induce oxidative damage to DNA through their capacity to redox cycle. When DNA (300 μg/mL) was incubated with cigarette smoke condensate (0.2 mg of tobacco particulate matter/mL) and CuCl(2) as a catalyst (50-100 μM), a variety of oxidative DNA adducts were detected by (32)P-postlabeling/TLC. Of the total adduct burden (2114 ± 419 adducts/10(6) nucleotides), over 40% of all adducts were attributed to the benchmark oxidative DNA lesion, 8-oxodeoxyguanosine (8-oxodG). Adducts were formed dose dependently. Essentially, similar adduct profiles were obtained when cigarette smoke condensate was substituted with ortho- and para-dihydroxybenzenes. Vehicle treatment with Cu(2+) or CSC alone did not induce any significant amount of oxidative DNA damage. Furthermore, coincubation of cigarette smoke condensate and ortho-dihydroxybenzene with DNA resulted in a higher amount of oxidative DNA adducts than obtained with the individual entity, suggesting that adducts presumably originated from catechols or catechol-like compounds in cigarette smoke condensate. Adducts resulting from both cigarette smoke condensate and pure dihydroxybenzenes were chromatographically identical to adducts formed by reaction of DNA with H(2)O(2), which is known to produce 8-oxodG, and many other oxidative DNA adducts. When the cigarette smoke condensate-DNA reaction was performed in the presence of ellagic acid, a known antioxidant, the adduct formation was inhibited dose dependently, further suggesting that adducts originated from oxidative pathway. Our data thus provide evidence of the capacity of catechols or catechol-like constituents in cigarette smoke to produce oxidative DNA damage, which may contribute to the tumor-promoting activity of cigarette smoke.

Comparative Studies of the (Anti) Mutagenicity of Baccharis dracunculifolia and Artepillin C by the Bacterial Reverse Mutation Test

Baccharis dracunculifolia is a plant native from Brazil, commonly known as ‘Alecrim-do-campo’ and ‘Vassoura’ and used in alternative medicine for the treatment of inflammation, hepatic disorders and stomach ulcers. Previous studies reported that artepillin C (ArtC, 3-{4-hydroxy-3,5-di(3-methyl-2-butenyl)phenyl}-2(E)-propenoic acid), is the main compound of interest in the leaves. This study was undertaken to assess the mutagenic effect of the ethyl acetate extract of B. dracunculifolia leaves (Bd-EAE: 11.4–182.8 µg/plate) and ArtC (0.69–10.99 µg/plate) by the Ames test using Salmonella typhimurium strains TA98, TA97a, TA100 and TA102, and to compare the protective effects of Bd-EAE and ArtC against the mutagenicity of a variety of direct and indirect acting mutagens such as 4-nitro-O-phenylenediamine, sodium azide, mitomycin C, benzo[a]pyrene, aflatoxin B1, 2-aminoanthracene and 2-aminofluorene.The mutagenicity test showed that Bd-EAE and ArtC did not induce an increase in the number of revertant colonies indicating absence of mutagenic activity. ArtC showed a similar antimutagenic effect to that of Bd-EAE in some strains of S. typhimurium, demonstrating that the antimutagenic activity of Bd-EAE can be partially attributed to ArtC. The present results showed that the protective effect of whole plant extracts is due to the combined and synergistic effects of a complex mixture of phytochemicals, the total activity of which may result in health benefits.

Enhanced activity of punicalagin delivered via polymeric implants against benzo[a]pyrene-induced DNA adducts

We investigated the effect of punicalagin (PC) on benzo[a]pyrene (BP)-induced DNA adducts in vitro and in vivo. Incubation of BP (1 μM) with rat liver microsomes, appropriate co-factors and DNA in the presence of vehicle or punicalagin (1-40 μM) showed dose-dependent inhibition of the resultant DNA adducts, with essentially complete (97%) inhibition at 40 μM. However, PC failed to inhibit anti-BPDE-induced DNA adducts when tested in an in vitro non-microsomal system, suggesting that the inhibition of the microsomal BP-DNA adducts occurred due to inhibition of P450 1A1 by PC. To determine its efficacy in vivo, female S/D rats were administered punicalagin via the diet (1500 ppm; approximately 19 mg/day/animal) or subcutaneous polymeric implants (two 2-cm, 200mg with 20% drug load; 40 mg PC/implant) and then treated with continuous low-dose of BP by a subcutaneous polymeric implant (2 cm, 200mg with 10% load; 20mg BP/implant) and euthanized after 10 days. Analysis of the lung DNA by (32)P-postlabeling showed significant (60%; p=0.029) inhibition of DNA adducts by PC administered via the implants; the dietary route showed modest (34%) but statistically insignificant inhibition. Furthermore, total PC administered by implants was approximately 38-fold lower compared with the dietary route. Analysis of the lung microsomes showed significant inhibition of cytochrome P450 1A1 activity and induction of glutathione. Release of PC from the implants was found to be biphasic starting with a burst release, followed by a gradual decline. Ultra performance liquid chromatography analysis showed no detectable PC in the plasma but its hydrolyzed product, ellagic acid was readily detected. The plasma concentration of ellagic acid was over two orders of magnitude higher (589 ± 78 ng/mL) in the implant group compared with diet (4.36 ± 0.83 ng/mL). Together, our data show that delivery of PC by implants can reduce its effective dose substantially, and that the inhibition of DNA adducts in vivo occurred presumably due to the conversion of PC to ellagic acid.

Polyphenols: skin photoprotection and inhibition of photocarcinogenesis

Polyphenols are a large family of naturally occurring plant products and are widely distributed in plant foods, such as, fruits, vegetables, nuts, flowers, bark and seeds, etc. These polyphenols contribute to the beneficial health effects of dietary products. Clinical and epidemiological studies suggest that exposure of the skin to environmental factors/pollutants, such as solar ultraviolet (UV) radiation induce harmful effects and leads to various skin diseases including the risk of melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers. The incidence of non-melanoma skin cancer, comprising of squamous cell carcinoma and basal cell carcinoma, is a significant public health concern world-wide. Exposure of the skin to solar UV radiation results in inflammation, oxidative stress, DNA damage, dysregulation of cellular signaling pathways and immunosuppression thereby resulting in skin cancer. The regular intake of natural plant products, especially polyphenols, which are widely present in fruits, vegetables, dry legumes and beverages have gained considerable attention as protective agents against the adverse effects of UV radiation. In this article, we first discussed the impact of polyphenols on human health based on their structure-activity relationship and bioavailability. We then discussed in detail the photoprotective effects of some selected polyphenols on UV-induced skin inflammation, proliferation, immunosuppression, DNA damage and dysregulation of important cellular signaling pathways and their implications in skin cancer management. The selected polyphenols include: green tea polyphenols, pomegranate fruit extract, grape seed proanthocyanidins, resveratrol, silymarin, genistein and delphinidin. The new information on the mechanisms of action of these polyphenols supports their potential use in skin photoprotection and prevention of photocarcinogenesis in humans.

Sustained systemic delivery of green tea polyphenols by polymeric implants significantly diminishes benzo[a]pyrene-induced DNA adducts

The polyphenolics in green tea are believed to be the bioactive components. However, poor bioavailability following ingestion limits their efficacy in vivo. In this study, polyphenon E (poly E), a standardized green tea extract, was administered by sustained-release polycaprolactone implants (two, 2-cm implants; 20% drug load) grafted subcutaneously or via drinking water (0.8% w/v) to female S/D rats. Animals were treated with continuous low dose of benzo[a]pyrene (BP) via subcutaneous polymeric implants (2 cm; 10% load) and euthanized after 1 and 4 weeks. Analysis of lung DNA by (32)P-postlabeling resulted in a statistically significant reduction (50%; p = 0.023) of BP-induced DNA adducts in the implant group; however, only a modest (34%) but statistically insignificant reduction occurred in the drinking water group at 1 week. The implant delivery system also showed significant reduction (35%; p = 0.044) of the known BP diolepoxide-derived DNA adduct after 4 weeks. Notably, the total dose of poly E administered was >100-fold lower in the implant group than the drinking water group (15.7 versus 1,632 mg, respectively). Analysis of selected phase I, phase II, and nucleotide excision repair enzymes at both mRNA and protein levels showed no significant modulation by poly E, suggesting that the reduction in the BP-induced DNA adducts occurred presumably due to known scavenging of the antidiolepoxide of BP by the poly E catechins. In conclusion, our study demonstrated that sustained systemic delivery of poly E significantly reduced BP-induced DNA adducts in spite of its poor bioavailability following oral administration.