A novel chalcone derivative S17 induces apoptosis through ROS dependent DR5 up-regulation in gastric cancer cells

The Induction of G2/M Phase Cell Cycle Arrest and Apoptosis by the Chalcone Derivative 1C in Sensitive and Resistant Ovarian Cancer Cells Is Associated with ROS Generation

Ovarian cancer ranks among the most severe forms of cancer affecting the female reproductive organs, posing a significant clinical challenge primarily due to the development of resistance to conventional therapies. This study investigated the effects of the chalcone derivative 1C on sensitive (A2780) and cisplatin-resistant (A2780cis) ovarian cancer cell lines. Our findings revealed that 1C suppressed cell viability, induced cell cycle arrest at the G2/M phase, and triggered apoptosis in both cell lines. These effects are closely associated with generating reactive oxygen species (ROS). Mechanistically, 1C induced DNA damage, modulated the activity of p21, PCNA, and phosphorylation of Rb and Bad proteins, as well as cleaved PARP. Moreover, it modulated Akt, Erk1/2, and NF-κB signaling pathways. Interestingly, we observed differential effects of 1C on Nrf2 levels between sensitive and resistant cells. While 1C increased Nrf2 levels in sensitive cells after 12 h and decreased them after 48 h, the opposite effect was observed in resistant cells. Notably, most of these effects were suppressed by the potent antioxidant N-acetylcysteine (NAC), underscoring the crucial role of ROS in 1C-induced antiproliferative activity. Moreover, we suggest that modulation of Nrf2 levels can, at least partially, contribute to the antiproliferative effect of chalcone 1C.

N-succinyl-chitosan as ecofriendly pesticide carriers: Nano encapsulation and synergistic antifungal effect on 4-hydroxyphenyl-2-propenyl-1-one derivatives based on chalcone structure

INTRODUCTION

Traditional pesticides have poor-water solubility, high toxicity and low bioavailability. Therefore, it is of great significance for the sustainable and healthy development of the pesticide industry to develop efficient and ecofriendly new chemical pesticide products and formulations.

OBJECTIVES

This study aims to synthesize a series of derivatives based on chalcone structure (HPPO), and then use the amphiphilic and self-assembly characteristics of N-succinyl-chitosan (NSCS) to prepare HPPO@NSCS nanoparticles (HPPO@NSCS NPs) in order to realize the green application of HPPO, and investigate the antifungal activity and mechanisms of HPPO@NSCS NPs.

METHODS

NSCS was synthesized by structural modification using chitosan as the carrier. Based on its amphiphilic and self-assembly characteristics, HPPO-16@NSCS NPs were reasonably prepared by combining with active small molecule HPPO-16. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), dynamic light scattering (DLS), fluorescence spectroscopy (FS) and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) were used to characterize the physicochemical properties of NSCS and HPPO-16@NSCS NPs. The inhibitory activity of nanopesticides against Rhizoctonia solani (R. solani) was tested in vivo and in vitro. The mechanism of antifungal action was discussed from the observation of pathogen morphology, fluorescence staining and enzyme activity determination.

RESULTS

28 small molecules based on chalcone structure (HPPO-1-28), NSCS and HPPO-16@NSCS were successfully synthesized. The application of HPPO-16@NSCS could impair the development, cell structure, cellular energy utilization, and metabolism pathways of the fungi. The protective effects of HPPO-16@NSCS NPs on rice leaves and leaf sheaths were 80.9 and 76.1 %, respectively, which were better than those of azoxystrobin.

CONCLUSION

This study reveals that these simple chalcone derivatives can be further explored as viable antibacterial alternatives and NSCS as a novel pesticide matrix can be used for the delivery of more insoluble pesticides.

Synthesis and Pharmacological Activities of Chalcone and Its Derivatives Bearing N-Heterocyclic Scaffolds: A Review

The incorporation of heterocyclic moieties into the standard chemical structure with a biologically active scaffold has become of crucial practice for the construction of pharmacologically potent candidates in the drug arena. Currently, numerous kinds of chalcones and their derivatives have been synthesized using the incorporation of heterocyclic scaffolds, especially chalcones bearing heterocyclic moieties that display improved efficiency and potential for drug production in pharmaceutical sectors. The current Review focuses on recent advances in the synthetic approaches and pharmacological activities such as antibacterial, antifungal, antitubercular, antioxidant, antimalarial, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antigiardial, and antifilarial activities of chalcone derivatives incorporating N-heterocyclic moieties at either the A-ring or B-ring.

Natural products targeting signaling pathways associated with regulated cell death in gastric cancer: Recent advances and perspectives

Gastric cancer (GC) is one of the most serious gastrointestinal malignancies with high morbidity and mortality. The complexity of GC process lies in the multi-phenotypic linkage regulation, in which regulatory cell death (RCD) is the core link, which largely dominates the fate of GC cells and becomes a key determinant of GC development and prognosis. In recent years, increasing evidence has been reported that natural products can prevent and inhibit the development of GC by regulating RCDs, showing great therapeutic potential. In order to further clarify its key regulatory characteristics, this review focused on specific expressions of RCDs, combined with a variety of signaling pathways and their crosstalk characteristics, sorted out the key targets and action rules of natural products targeting RCD. It is highlighted that a variety of core biological pathways and core targets are involved in the decision of GC cell fate, including the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway, MAPK-related signaling pathways, p53 signaling pathway, ER stress, Caspase-8, gasdermin D (GSDMD), and so on. Moreover, natural products target the crosstalk of different RCDs by modulating above signaling pathways. Taken together, these findings suggest that targeting various RCDs in GC with natural products is a promising strategy, providing a reference for further clarifying the molecular mechanism of natural products treating GC, which warrants further investigations in this area.

Synthesis and Anticancer Evaluation of 4-Anilinoquinolinylchalcone Derivatives

A series of 4-anilinoquinolinylchalcone derivatives were synthesized and evaluated for antiproliferative activities against the growth of human cancer cell lines (Huh-7 and MDA-MB-231) and normal lung cells (MRC-5). The results exhibited low cytotoxicity against human lung cells (MRC-5). Among them, (E)-3-{4-{[4-(benzyloxy)phenyl]amino}quinolin-2-yl}-1-(4-methoxyphenyl) prop-2-en-1-one (4a) was found to have the highest cytotoxicity in breast cancer cells and low cytotoxicity in normal cells. Compound 4a causes ATP depletion and apoptosis of breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cells and triggers reactive oxygen species (ROS)-dependent caspase 3/7 activation. In conclusion, it is worth studying 4-anilinoquinolinylchalcone derivatives further as new potential anticancer agents for the treatment of human cancers.

Chalcones and Gastrointestinal Cancers: Experimental Evidence

Colorectal (CRC) and gastric cancers (GC) are the most common digestive tract cancers with a high incidence rate worldwide. The current treatment including surgery, chemotherapy or radiotherapy has several limitations such as drug toxicity, cancer recurrence or drug resistance and thus it is a great challenge to discover an effective and safe therapy for CRC and GC. In the last decade, numerous phytochemicals and their synthetic analogs have attracted attention due to their anticancer effect and low organ toxicity. Chalcones, plant-derived polyphenols, received marked attention due to their biological activities as well as for relatively easy structural manipulation and synthesis of new chalcone derivatives. In this study, we discuss the mechanisms by which chalcones in both in vitro and in vivo conditions suppress cancer cell proliferation or cancer formation.

3,4‑Dihydroxyacetophenone attenuates oxidative stress‑induced damage to HUVECs via regulation of the Nrf2/HO‑1 pathway

It has been reported that oxidative stress plays a prominent role in diabetic macrovascular diseases. 3,4-Dihydroxyacetophenone (3,4-DHAP) has been found to have a variety of biological activities. However, few studies have assessed the antioxidant capacity of 3,4-DHAP and the underlying mechanisms. Thus, the aim of the present study was to explore the effects of 3,4-DHAP on oxidative stress in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). HUVECs were pre-treated with 3,4-DHAP and then exposed to high glucose conditions. Cell viability and cytotoxicity were measured using an MTT assay. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels were measured using an inverted fluorescence microscope and a fluorescent enzyme labeling instrument. Protein expression levels of nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), microtubule-associated protein 1A/1B-light chain 3 (LC3) and poly ADP-ribose polymerase-1 (PARP-1) were measured using western blotting, and mRNA expression of Nrf2 and HO-1 were measured through reverse transcription-quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR). Nrf2 nuclear translocation was evaluated using immunofluorescence analysis and autophagosomes were observed using transmission electron microscope (TEM). The results of the present study demonstrated that compared with the control group, cell viability of the high glucose group was reduced and cell cytotoxicity of the high glucose group was increased. ROS production in the high glucose group was clearly enhanced. In addition, high glucose upregulated Nrf2 and HO-1 protein and mRNA expression levels. Nuclear translocation of Nrf2 in the high glucose group was also increased. The formation of autophagosomes in the high glucose group was also higher than that in the control group. Furthermore, LC3-II/LC3-I and PARP-1 protein expression levels were increased after treatment with high glucose. However, compared to the high glucose group, 3,4-DHAP (10 µmol/l) significantly enhanced cell viability. 3,4-DHAP markedly decreased the production of ROS, increased Nrf2 and HO-1 protein and mRNA expression levels, and promoted nuclear translocation of Nrf2 in HUVECs. In addition, 3,4-DHAP promoted the formation of autophagosomes, and notably increased the protein expression levels of LC3-II/LC3-I and PARP-1. Moreover, it was determined that compared to the 3,4-DHAP group, treatment with 3,4-DHAP and ML385 enhanced cell viability, and decreased ROS production, Nrf2 and HO-1 protein and mRNA expression levels, nuclear translocation of Nrf2, and LC3-II/LC3-I and PARP-1 protein expression levels. Collectively, the results of the present study showed that 3,4-DHAP protected HUVECs against oxidative stress via regulation of the Nrf2/HO-1 pathway, by increasing autophagy and promoting DNA damage repair.

Novel chalcone-derived pyrazoles as potential therapeutic agents for the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer

Lung cancer is considered to account for approximately one-fifth of all malignant tumor-related deaths worldwide and is therefore one of the most lethal malignancies. Pyrazole scaffold possesses a wide range of biological and pharmacological activities, which play important roles in medicinal chemistry. The present study reports the synthesis and in vitro biological characterization of nine pyrazoles derived from chalcones as potential anticancer agents for non-small cell lung cancer A-549, H226, and H460 cell lines. Most of the compounds efficiently inhibited the growth of all the tested cancer cell lines at micromolar concentrations. One of the most active compounds (PCH-1) was further evaluated for its effect on cell cycle distribution, apoptosis, migration, epithelial–mesenchymal transition, and oxidative stress. Furthermore, studies on the mechanism of action revealed that PCH-1 disrupts microtubule assembly, leading to cancer cell death. Molecular modeling studies confirmed the potent interaction of PCH-1 with the vinblastine binding site on tubulin. Overall, this study provides novel opportunities to identify anticancer agents in the pyrazole series.

SU086, an inhibitor of HSP90, impairs glycolysis and represents a treatment strategy for advanced prostate cancer

Among men, prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-associated mortality, with advanced disease remaining a major clinical challenge. We describe a small molecule, SU086, as a therapeutic strategy for advanced prostate cancer. We demonstrate that SU086 inhibits the growth of prostate cancer cells in vitro, cell-line and patient-derived xenografts in vivo, and ex vivo prostate cancer patient specimens. Furthermore, SU086 in combination with standard of care second-generation anti-androgen therapies displays increased impairment of prostate cancer cell and tumor growth in vitro and in vivo. Cellular thermal shift assay reveals that SU086 binds to heat shock protein 90 (HSP90) and leads to a decrease in HSP90 levels. Proteomic profiling demonstrates that SU086 binds to and decreases HSP90. Metabolomic profiling reveals that SU086 leads to perturbation of glycolysis. Our study identifies SU086 as a treatment for advanced prostate cancer as a single agent or when combined with second-generation anti-androgens.

Anticancer Activity of Natural and Synthetic Chalcones

Cancer is a condition caused by many mechanisms (genetic, immune, oxidation, and inflammatory). Anticancer therapy aims to destroy or stop the growth of cancer cells. Resistance to treatment is theleading cause of the inefficiency of current standard therapies. Targeted therapies are the most effective due to the low number of side effects and low resistance. Among the small molecule natural compounds, flavonoids are of particular interest for theidentification of new anticancer agents. Chalcones are precursors to all flavonoids and have many biological activities. The anticancer activity of chalcones is due to the ability of these compounds to act on many targets. Natural chalcones, such as licochalcones, xanthohumol (XN), panduretin (PA), and loncocarpine, have been extensively studied and modulated. Modification of the basic structure of chalcones in order to obtain compounds with superior cytotoxic properties has been performed by modulating the aromatic residues, replacing aromatic residues with heterocycles, and obtaining hybrid molecules. A huge number of chalcone derivatives with residues such as diaryl ether, sulfonamide, and amine have been obtained, their presence being favorable for anticancer activity. Modification of the amino group in the structure of aminochalconesis always favorable for antitumor activity. This is why hybrid molecules of chalcones with different nitrogen hetercycles in the molecule have been obtained. From these, azoles (imidazole, oxazoles, tetrazoles, thiazoles, 1,2,3-triazoles, and 1,2,4-triazoles) are of particular importance for the identification of new anticancer agents.

LCT-3d Induces Oxidative Stress-Mediated Apoptosis by Upregulating Death Receptor 5 in Gastric Cancer Cells

Gastric cancer is a global health problem. In this study, we investigate the role of a novel Indole derivative, named LCT-3d, in inhibiting the growth of gastric cancer cells by MTT assay. The Western blotting results showed that LCT-3d modulated the mitochondrial-related proteins and Cleaved-Caspases 3/9, to induce cell apoptosis. The up-regulation of Death receptor 5 (DR5) in MGC803 cells was observed with LCT-3d treatment. Knockdown of DR5 on MGC803 cells partially reversed the LCT-3d-induced mitochondrial apoptosis. The level of Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) in MGC803 cells was increased with LCT-3d treatment and could be blocked with the pretreatment of the ROS inhibitor N-Acetylcysteine (NAC). The results demonstrate that the elevating ROS can up-regulate the expression of DR5, resulting in apoptosis via mitochondrial pathway. Although the nuclear factor erythroid-2 related factor 2 (Nrf2) pathway served an important role in protecting gastric cancer cells against the injury of ROS, it can’t reverse LCT-3d-induced cell apoptosis. Taken together, our study showed that LCT-3d induced apoptosis via DR5-mediated mitochondrial apoptotic pathway in gastric cancer cells. LCT-3d could be a novel lead compound for development of anti-cancer activity in gastric cancer.

Activation of Nrf2 signaling pathway by natural and synthetic chalcones: a therapeutic road map for oxidative stress

Introduction:Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) signaling pathway plays a key role in diverse gene expressions responsible for protection against oxidative stress and xenobiotics. Chalcones with a common chemical scaffold of 1,3-diaryl-2- propen-1-one, are abundantly present in nature with a wide variety of pharmacological properties. This review will discuss the interactions of natural and synthetic chalcones with Nrf2 signaling.Areas covered:Chalcones are reportedly found to activate Nrf2 signaling pathway, expression of Nrf2-regulated antioxidant genes, induce cytoprotective proteins and upregulate multidrug resistance-associated proteins. Chalcones being soft electrophiles are less prone to hostile off-target effects and unlikely to induce carcinogenicity and mutagenicity. Furthermore, their low toxicity, structural diversity, feasibility in structural reorganization and the presence of α,β-unsaturated carbonyl group which makes them suitable drug candidates targeting Nrf2-dependent diseases.Expert opinion:Nrf2-Keap1 signaling pathway plays a central role in redox signaling. However, available therapeutic agents for Nrf2 activation have limited practical applications due to their associated risks, relatively low efficacy and bioavailability. The designing and fabrication of new chemical entities with chalcone scaffold-based Michael acceptor mechanism should be aimed as potential therapeutic Nrf2 activators to target oxidative stress and inflammation-mediated diseases such as atherosclerosis, Parkinson's disease and many more.

Design and development of innovative microparticulate/nanoparticulate inhalable dry powders of a novel synthetic trifluorinated chalcone derivative and Nrf2 agonist

Chalcone derivatives are shown to possess excellent anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties which are of great interest in treating respiratory diseases such as acute lung injury (ALI), acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and pulmonary fibrosis (PF). This study successfully designed and developed dry powder inhaler (DPI) formulations of TMC (2-trifluoromethyl-2'-methoxychalone), a new synthetic trifluorinated chalcone and Nrf2 agonist, for targeted pulmonary inhalation aerosol drug delivery. An advanced co-spray drying particle engineering technique was used to design and produce microparticulate/nanoparticulate formulations of TMC with a suitable excipient (mannitol) as inhalable particles with tailored particle properties for inhalation. Raw TMC and co-spray dried TMC formulations were comprehensively characterized for the first time using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectroscopy, thermal analysis, X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD), and molecular fingerprinting as dry powders by ATR-FTIR spectroscopy and Raman spectroscopy. Further, biocompatibility and suitability of formulations were tested with in vitro cellular transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) in air-interface culture (AIC) using a human pulmonary airway cell line. The ability of these TMC formulations to perform as aerosolized dry powders was systematically evaluated by design of experiments (DOEs) using three different FDA-approved human inhaler devices followed by interaction parameter analyses. Multiple spray drying pump rates (25%, 75%, and 100%) successfully produced co-spray dried TMC:mannitol powders. Raw TMC exhibited a first-order phase transition temperature at 58.15 ± 0.38 °C. Furthermore, the results demonstrate that these innovative TMC dry powder particles are suitable for targeted delivery to the airways by inhalation.

Proteasomal dysfunction and ER stress triggers 2'-hydroxy-retrochalcone-induced paraptosis in cancer cells

Chalcones are biologically active class of compounds, known for their anticancer activities. Here we show for the first time that out of the six synthetic derivatives of chalcone tested, 2'-hydroxy-retrochalcone (HRC) was the most effective in inducing extensive cytoplasmic vacuolation mediated death called paraptosis in malignant breast and cervical cancer cells. The cell death by HRC is found to be nonapoptotic in nature due to the absence of DNA fragmentation, PARP cleavage, and phosphatidylserine externalization. It was also found to be nonautophagic as there was an increase in the levels of autophagic markers LC3I, LC3II and p62. Immunofluorescence with the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) marker protein calreticulin showed that the cytoplasmic vacuoles formed were derived from the ER. This ER dilation was due to ER stress as evidenced from the increase in polyubiquitinated proteins, Bip and CHOP. Docking studies revealed that HRC could bind to the Thr1 residue on the active site of the chymotrypsin-like subunit of the proteasome. The inhibition of proteasomal activity was further confirmed by the fluorescence based assay of the chymotrypsin-like subunit of the 26S proteasome. The cell death by HRC was also triggered by the collapse of mitochondrial membrane potential and depletion of ATP. Pretreatment with thiol antioxidants and cycloheximide were able to inhibit this programmed cell death. Thus our data suggest that HRC can effectively kill cancer cells via paraptosis, an alternative death pathway and can be a potential lead molecule for anticancer therapy.

Compound Prunetin Induces Cell Death in Gastric Cancer Cell with Potent Anti-Proliferative Properties: In Vitro Assay, Molecular Docking, Dynamics, and ADMET Studies

Gastric cancer is the common type of malignancy positioned at second in mortality rate causing burden worldwide with increasing treatment options. Prunetin (PRU) is an O-methylated flavonoid that belongs to the group of isoflavone executing beneficial activities. In the present study, we investigated the anti-proliferative and cell death effect of the compound PRU in AGS gastric cancer cell line. The in vitro cytotoxic potential of PRU was evaluated and significant proliferation was observed. We identified that the mechanism of cell death was due to necroptosis through double staining and was confirmed by co-treatment with inhibitor necrostatin (Nec-1). We further elucidated the mechanism of action of necroptosis via receptor interacting protein kinase 3 (RIPK3) protein expression and it has been attributed by ROS generation through JNK activation. Furthermore, through computational analysis by molecular docking and dynamics simulation, the efficiency of compound prunetin against RIPK3 binding was validated. In addition, we also briefed the pharmacokinetic properties of the compound by in silico ADMET analysis.

Lung Cancer Inhibition by Betulinic Acid Nanoparticles via Adenosine 5'-Triphosphate (ATP)-Binding Cassette Transporter G1 Gene Downregulation

BACKGROUND Despite scientific advancement in radiotherapy and chemotherapy, the 5-year survival rate of lung cancer patients is around 15%. The present study explored the anticancer potential of betulinic acid nanoparticles against lung cancer cells. MATERIAL AND METHODS The proliferative changes in lung cancer cells by betulinic acid nanoparticles were measured by MTT assay. Cell cycle analysis was performed by flow cytometry using propidium iodide stain. Transwell and wound healing assay were used for determination of HKULC2 cell metastatic potential. RESULTS The betulinic acid nanoparticle treatment significantly (P<0.05) reduced proliferation of HKULC2, H1299, and H23 cells. The proliferation of HKULC2, H1299, and H23 cells was reduced to 33%, 28% and 24%, respectively on treatment with 10 µM of betulinic acid nanoparticles. The results from flow cytometry showed that betulinic acid nanoparticle exposure lead to cell cycle arrest in G1 phase in HKULC2 cells. Treatment with betulinic acid nanoparticles markedly decreased migration potential of HKULC2 cells. The invasive ability of HKULC2 cells was also suppressed markedly on exposure to betulinic acid nanoparticles. Western blotting of HKULC2 cells showed that betulinic acid nanoparticles promoted the expression of p21 and p53 and downregulated CD133, ALDH, BCL2, MCL1, and c-Myc expression. Betulinic acid nanoparticles reduced the expression of ABCG1 protein markedly. CONCLUSIONS The present study demonstrated that betulinic acid nanoparticles inhibit proliferation, metastatic ability, and arrest cell cycle in lung cancer cells through downregulation of ABCG1 oncogene expression. Therefore, betulinic acid nanoparticles may be used as therapeutic agent for the treatment of lung cancer.

Antiproliferative Effect of Acridine Chalcone Is Mediated by Induction of Oxidative Stress

Chalcones are naturally occurring phytochemicals with diverse biological activities including antioxidant, antiproliferative, and anticancer effects. Some studies indicate that the antiproliferative effect of chalcones may be associated with their pro-oxidant effect. In the present study, we evaluated contribution of oxidative stress in the antiproliferative effect of acridine chalcone 1C ((2 E)-3-(acridin-9-yl)-1-(2,6-dimethoxyphenyl)prop-2-en-1-one) in human colorectal HCT116 cells. We demonstrated that chalcone 1C induced oxidative stress via increased reactive oxygen/nitrogen species (ROS/RNS) and superoxide production with a simultaneous weak adaptive activation of the cellular antioxidant defence mechanism. Furthermore, we also showed chalcone-induced mitochondrial dysfunction, DNA damage, and apoptosis induction. Moreover, activation of mitogen activated phosphokinase (MAPK) signalling pathway in 1C-treated cancer cells was also observed. On the other hand, co-treatment of cells with strong antioxidant, N-acetyl cysteine (NAC), significantly attenuated all of the above-mentioned effects of chalcone 1C, that is, decreased oxidant production, prevent mitochondrial dysfunction, DNA damage, and induction of apoptosis, as well as partially preventing the activation of MAPK signalling. Taken together, we documented the role of ROS in the antiproliferative/pro-apoptotic effects of acridine chalcone 1C. Moreover, these data suggest that this chalcone may be useful as a promising anti-cancer agent for treating colon cancer.

The Effects of (11R)-13-(6-Nitroindazole)-11,13-Dihydroludartin on Human Prostate Carcinoma Cells and Mouse Tumor Xenografts

BACKGROUND This study aimed to investigate the effects of the 6-nitroindazole compound and amino analog of ludartin, (11R)-13-(6-nitroindazole)-11,13-dihydroludartin (NDHL), on human prostate carcinoma cells in vitro and in mouse tumor xenografts in vivo. MATERIAL AND METHODS DU-145 and LNCaP human prostate carcinoma cells were cultured with increasing concentrations of NDHL. Cell viability was measured using the MTT assay, and cell apoptosis was measured by fluorescence flow cytometry. Mouse tumor xenografts were created by implanting 2×10⁶ of DU-145 cells subcutaneously in the left flank. On the second day following DU-145 cell implantation, the mice in the treatment groups were injected intraperitoneally with 2, 5, and 10 mg/kg of NDHL. RESULTS Treatment of DU-145 and LNCaP cells with NDHL (range, 2.5-20.0 μM) significantly reduced cell proliferation in vitro (P<0.05). The proliferation rate of DU-145 and LNCaP cells was reduced to 27% and 24%, respectively, following treatment with 20.0 μM of NDHL. Treatment with NDHL significantly increased cell apoptosis and the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation in DU-145 cells at 48 h (P<0.05). NDHL significantly increased the proportion of DU-145 cells in the G1 phase of the cell cycle and significantly increased the expression of cyclin D1 and p21 (P<0.05). Treatment of the mice in the xenograft tumor model with NDHL significantly increased survival and suppressed tumor growth (P<0.02). CONCLUSIONS NDHL inhibited cell proliferation, increased apoptosis, and caused cell cycle arrest in human prostate carcinoma cells in vitro and inhibited mouse tumor xenograft growth in vivo.

3,6-diazabicyclo[3.3.1]heptanes Induces Apoptosis and Arrests Cell Cycle in Prostate Cancer Cells

Background

Prostate cancer, non-cutaneous malignant tumor, is the second common cause of cancer related mortalities in American men and is responsible for 13% of deaths related to cancer. The present study investigated the anti-cancer effects of 3,6-diazabicyclo[3.3.1]heptane on LNCaP and PC3 prostate cancer cells in vitro and on tumor growth in vivo in BALB/C nude mice.

Material/Methods

Reduction of cell viability by 3,6-diazabicyclo[3.3.1]heptane was evaluated by sulphorhodamine-B staining and apoptosis onset using annexin V and propidium iodide (PI) staining. The 2′,7′-dichlorofluorescein-diacetate stain was used for assessment of reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation while as western blotting for analysis of protein expression.

Results

The viability of LNCaP and PC3 cells was reduced significantly (P<0.05) by 3,6-diazabicyclo[3.3.1]heptane in dose-based manner. At 30 μM of 3,6-diazabicyclo[3.3.1]heptane the viability of LNCaP and PC3 cells was reduced to 32 and 28%, respectively. The 3,6-diazabicyclo[3.3.1]heptane treatment increased apoptosis in LNCaP cells to 43.31% at 30 μM. The cell cycle in LNCaP cells was arrested in G1 phase on treatment with 3,6-diazabicyclo[3.3.1]heptane. The expression of cyclin D1 and p21 proteins was significantly increased by 3,6-diazabicyclo[3.3.1]heptane in LNCaP and PC3 cells. The growth of prostate tumor was also suppressed in vivo in mice by 3,6-diazabicyclo[3.3.1]heptane treatment.

Conclusions

In summary, the study demonstrated that LNCaP and PC3 prostate cancer cell viability is suppressed by 3,6-diazabicyclo[3.3.1]heptane treatment. The suppression of prostate cancer cell viability by 3,6-diazabicyclo[3.3.1]heptane involves apoptosis induction, cell cycle arrest and upregulation of p21 expression. Therefore, 3,6-diazabicyclo[3.3.1]heptane can be a potential chemotherapeutic agent for prostate cancer.

Induction of Apoptosis in Lung Cancer Cells by Viburnum grandiflorum via Mitochondrial Pathway

Background

Lung cancer is one of the leading causes of mortality and morbidity. Viburnum grandiflorum is a medicinal herb known for its wide spectrum of pharmacological activities, but its anti-cancer properties against lung cancer cells have not been previously investigated. The present study elucidated the antitumor effect and associated mechanism of methanol extract of Viburnum grandiflorum extract (VGE) against lung cancer cells.

Material/Methods

The viability of H1650, HCC827, and H1299 cells was measured using MTT assay. Apoptosis and cell cycle progression were determined by flow cytometry using annexin-V/PI and JC-1 stains, respectively. The Lipofectamine Plus reagent (Invitrogen) was used for transfection of caspase-9 plasmid to H1650 and H1299 cells.

Results

The results showed decreased H1650, HCC827, and H1299 cell viability by VGE, which occurred in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. The VGE treatment significantly increased the rate of apoptosis in H1650 (P<0.05) and H1299 (P<0.02) cells at 48 and 72 h. Treatment of H1650 and H1299 cells with 10 μM of VGE significantly enhanced the number of cells in sub-G1 phase. The VGE treatment cleaved pro-caspase-8/-9 and-3 in H1650 and HCC827 cells at 72 h. The VGE treatment of H1650 and HCC827 cells reduced Mcl-1 protein expression. Treatment of H1650 and HCC827 cells with VGE markedly decreased the level of p-Akt. However, dominant-negative caspase-9 (caspase-9 dN) plasmid transfection prevented the viability-inhibitory effect of VGE on H1650 and HCC827 cells. Treatment of H1650 and HCC827 cells with VGE increased levels of cytochrome c in the cytosol.

Conclusions

VGE inhibited lung carcinoma cell viability by apoptosis activation through a caspase-dependent pathway. Therefore, VGE is a potent anti-cancer agent against lung cancer cells.

4-Hydroxychalcone Induces Cell Death via Oxidative Stress in MYCN-Amplified Human Neuroblastoma Cells

Neuroblastoma is an embryonal malignancy that arises from cells of sympathoadrenal lineage during the development of the nervous system. It is the most common pediatric extracranial solid tumor and is responsible for 15% of childhood deaths from cancer. Fifty percent of cases are diagnosed as high-risk metastatic disease with a low overall 5-year survival rate. More than half of patients experience disease recurrence that can be refractory to treatment. Amplification of the MYCN gene is an important prognostic indicator that is associated with rapid disease progression and a poor prognosis, highlighting the need for new therapeutic approaches. In recent years, there has been an increasing focus on identifying anticancer properties of naturally occurring chalcones, which are secondary metabolites with variable phenolic structures. Here, we report that 4-hydroxychalcone is a potent cytotoxin for MYCN-amplified IMR-32 and SK-N-BE (2) neuroblastoma cells, when compared to non-MYCN-amplified SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells and to the non-neuroblastoma human embryonic kidney cell line, HEK293t. Moreover, 4-hydroxychalcone treatment significantly decreased cellular levels of the antioxidant glutathione and increased cellular reactive oxygen species. In addition, 4-hydroxychalcone treatment led to impairments in mitochondrial respiratory function, compared to controls. In support of this, the cytotoxic effect of 4-hydroxychalcone was prevented by co-treatment with either the antioxidant N-acetyl-L-cysteine, a pharmacological inhibitor of oxidative stress-induced cell death (IM-54) or the mitochondrial reactive oxygen species scavenger, Mito-TEMPO. When combined with the anticancer drugs cisplatin or doxorubicin, 4-hydroxychalcone led to greater reductions in cell viability than was induced by either anti-cancer agent alone. In summary, this study identifies a cytotoxic effect of 4-hydroxychalcone in MYCN-amplified human neuroblastoma cells, which rationalizes its further study in the development of new therapies for pediatric neuroblastoma.

A Natural Quinazoline Derivative from Marine Sponge Hyrtios erectus Induces Apoptosis of Breast Cancer Cells via ROS Production and Intrinsic or Extrinsic Apoptosis Pathways

Here, we report the therapeutic potential of a natural quinazoline derivative (2-chloro-6-phenyl-8H-quinazolino[4,3-b]quinazolin-8-one) isolated from marine sponge Hyrtios erectus against human breast cancer. The cytotoxicity of the compound was investigated on a human breast carcinoma cell line (MCF-7). Antiproliferative activity of the compound was estimated by 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. MTT assay showed significant inhibition of MCF-7 cells viability with the IC50 value of 13.04 ± 1.03 µg/mL after 48 h. The compound induced down-regulation of anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 protein and increase in the pro-apoptotic Bax/Bcl-2 ratio in MCF-7 cells. The compound activated the expression of Caspases-9 and stimulated downstream signal transducer Caspase-7. In addition, Caspase-8 showed remarkable up-regulation in MCF-7 cells treated with the compound. Moreover, the compound was found to promote oxidative stress in MCF-7 cells that led to cell death. In conclusion, the compound could induce apoptosis of breast carcinoma cells via a mechanism that involves ROS production and either extrinsic or intrinsic apoptosis pathways. The systemic toxic potential of the compound was evaluated in an in vivo mouse model, and it was found non-toxic to the major organs.

Synthesis of Chalcone Derivatives: Inducing Apoptosis of HepG2 Cells via Regulating Reactive Oxygen Species and Mitochondrial Pathway

Chalcone derivatives, as a hot research field, exhibit a variety of physiological bioactivities and target multiple biological receptors. Based on the skeleton of (E)-1,3-diphenyl-2-propene-1-one, 14 chalcone derivatives were designed and synthesized, and evaluated as the antitumor candidates agents against four human cancer cell lines (A549, Hela, HepG2, and HL-60) as well as one normal cell line (WI-38). Among the title compounds, compound a14 showed better inhibitory activity against HepG2 cells (IC₅₀ = 38.33 µM) and had relatively weak cytotoxicity towards normal cells WI-38 (IC₅₀ = 121.29 µM). In this study, apoptosis, cycle arrest, assessment of reactive oxygen species (ROS) level, and measurement of mitochondrial membrane potential were adopted to explore the inhibitory mechanism of a14 towards HepG2. Compound a14 could effectively block the division of HepG2 cell lines in the G2/M phase and robustly induced generation of ROS, demonstrating that the generation of ROS induced by a14 was the main reason for resulting in the apoptosis of HepG2 cells. Moreover, the mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) of HepG2 cells treated with a14 was significantly decreased, which was closely related to the enhanced ROS level. Furthermore, based on Western blot experiment, cell apoptosis induced by a14 also involved the expression of B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2) family and Caspase 3 protein. In summary, compound a14 could contribute to the apoptosis of HepG2 cells through regulating ROS-mitochondrial pathway, which provides valuable hints for the discovery of novel anti-tumor drug candidates.

SP600125 enhances C-2-induced cell death by the switch from autophagy to apoptosis in bladder cancer cells

BACKGROUND

A natural compound Jaspine B and its derivative possess potential anti-cancer activities; However, little is known about the underlying mechanism. Here, the role of a new autophagy inducer Jaspine B derivative C-2 in suppressing bladder cancer cells was researched in vitro and in vivo.

METHODS

The underlying mechanisms and anticancer effect of C-2 in bladder cancer cells were investigated by MTT, western blotting, immunoprecipitation and immunofluorescence assays. The key signaling components were investigated by using pharmacological inhibitors or specific siRNAs. In vivo, we designed a C-2 and SP600125 combination experiment to verify the effectiveness of compound.

RESULTS

C-2 exhibits cytotoxic effect on bladder cancer cells, and JNK activated by C-2 triggers autophagy and up-regulates SQSTM1/p62 proteins, contributing to activation of Nrf2 pathway. Utilization of JNK inhibitor SP600125 or knockdown of JNK by siRNA potentiate the cytotoxicity of C-2 through down-regulation of p62 and LC3II proteins and up-regulation of active-Caspase3 proteins, enhance the cell death effect, facilitating the switch from autophagy to apoptosis. In vivo study, C-2 suppresses tumor growth in a xenograft mouse model of EJ cells without observed toxicity. Combined treatment with SP600125 further enhances tumor inhibition of C-2 associated with enhanced activation of caspase3 and reduction of autophagy.

CONCLUSIONS

It reveals a series of molecular mechanisms about SP600125 potentiate the cytotoxicity and tumor inhibition of C-2 in bladder cancer cells through promoting C-2-induced apoptosis, expecting it provides research basis and theoretical support for new drugs development.

7-H-Pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidine derivative acts as promising agent for gastric cancer treatment by inducing cell death

In the present study effect of 7-H-pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidine derivative (7-HPPD) on viability of MKN28 and MKN74 gastric cancer cells was investigated. There was no significant change in GES-1 cell viability on treatment with 7-HPPD for 48 h. MKN28 and MKN74 cell viability was reduced to 21 and 23%, respectively, on treatment with 7-HPPD at concentration of 50 µM. Hoechst 33342 staining showed that the cells treated with 7-HPPD showed condensation of chromatin material, presence of apoptotic bodies and intense blue fluorescence. Treatment of MKN28 and MKN74 cells with 7-HPPD markedly increased the release of LDH. Z-VAD-FMK prevented 7-HPPD-induced suppression of MKN28 and MKN74 cell viability. Exposure to 15, 20, 25, 30 and 50 µM concentrations of 7-HPPD caused concentration-based increase in caspase-8, -9, -3 and cleaved PARP. A significant increase in ROS production was caused by 7-HPPD in MKN28 and MKN74 cells. Increasing the concentration of 7-HPPD from 10 to 50 µM did not increase the expression of RIP3 protein. In summary, 7-HPPD suppresses gastric cancer cell growth by inducing apoptosis through increase in caspase expression and ROS production. Consequently, 7-HPPD may be used for the development of treatment strategy for gastric cancer.

Inhibition of Proliferation of SGC7901 and BGC823 Human Gastric Cancer Cells by Ursolic Acid Occurs Through a Caspase-Dependent Apoptotic Pathway

BACKGROUND Worldwide, gastric cancer is one of the most common malignant tumors. Ursolic acid is a plant metabolite and pentacyclic triterpenoid used in traditional Chinese medicine. This study aimed to investigate the effects of ursolic acid the growth and apoptosis of SGC7901 and BGC823 human gastric cancer cells in vitro. MATERIAL AND METHODS SGC7901 and BGC823 human gastric cancer cells and normal GES-1 gastric epithelial cells were cultured with increasing doses of ursolic acid at 50, 60, and 100 µM. Cell viability and proliferation were assessed using an MTT assay. Flow cytometry was used to assess cell apoptosis. Western blot was used to measure procaspase-8, procaspase-9, procaspase-3, and cleaved poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) expression. The expression of receptor interaction protein 3 (RIP3) was examined by Western blot and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Morphological changes in the gastric cancer cells were determined using Hoechst 33342 staining following ursolic acid treatment. RESULTS Ursolic acid inhibited the viability of SGC7901 and BGC823 cells but not GES-1 cells. Ursolic acid treatment significantly induced apoptosis in SGC7901 and BGC823 cells when compared with GES-1 cells (P<0.05), and significantly increased the activation of caspase-3, caspase-8, caspase-9, poly ADPribose polymerase (PARP), and the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Treatment of SGC7901 and BGC823 cells with ursolic acid for 72 h did not induce necroptosis. CONCLUSIONS Ursolic acid inhibited the proliferation of SGC7901 and BGC823 human gastric cancer cells in vitro through a caspase-dependent apoptotic pathway.

Antiproliferative activity and p53 upregulation effects of chalcones on human breast cancer cells

Chalcones are valuable structures for drug discovery due to their broad bioactivity spectrum. In this study, we evaluated 20 synthetic chalcones against estrogen-receptor-positive breast cancer cells (MCF-7 line) and triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) cells (MDA-MB-231 line). Antiproliferative screening by MTT assay resulted in two most active compounds: 2-fluoro-4’-aminochalcone (11) and 3-pyridyl-4’-aminochalcone (17). Their IC₅₀ values ranged from 13.2 to 34.7 µM against both cell lines. Selected chalcones are weak basic compounds and maintained their antiproliferative activity under acidosis conditions (pH 6.7), indicating their resistance to ion-trapping effect. The mode of breast cancer cells death was investigated and chalcones 11 and 17 were able to induce apoptosis rather than necrosis in both lines. Antiproliferative target investigations with MCF-7 cells suggested 11 and 17 upregulated p53 protein expression and did not affect Sp1 protein expression. Future studies on chalcones 11 and 17 can define their in vivo therapeutic potential.

Heme Oxygenase-1 is a Key Molecule Underlying Differential Response of TW-37-Induced Apoptosis in Human Mucoepidermoid Carcinoma Cells

TW-37 is a small-molecule inhibitor of Bcl-2 family proteins, which can induce anti-cancer activities in various types of cancer. In the current study, we investigated the potential molecular mechanism underlying the differential response to TW-37-induced apoptosis in two human mucoepidermoid carcinoma (MEC) cell lines. The differential response and underlying molecular mechanism of human MEC cells to TW-37 was evaluated by trypan blue exclusion assay, western blotting, 4’, 6-diamidino-2-phenylindole staining, annexin V/propidium iodide double staining, analysis of the sub-G1 population, human apoptosis array, and measurements of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS). TW-37 decreased cell viability and induced apoptosis in YD-15 cells, but not in MC3 cells. Proteome profiling using a human apoptosis array revealed four candidate proteins and of these, heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) was mainly related to the differential response to TW-37 of YD-15 and MC3 cells. TW-37 also led to a significant increase in intracellular levels of ROS in YD-15 cells, which is associated with apoptosis induction. The ectopic expression of HO-1 recovered YD-15 cells from TW-37-induced apoptosis by reducing intracellular levels of ROS. The expression of HO-1 was reduced through both transcriptional and post-translational modification during TW-37-mediated apoptosis. We conclude that HO-1 is a potential indicator to estimate response to TW37-induced apoptosis in human MEC.

Corilagin induces apoptosis, autophagy and ROS generation in gastric cancer cells in vitro

Corilagin, a unique component of the tannin family, has been identified in several medicinal plants. In previous literature, corilagin exhibited a marked anticancer property in a variety of human cancer cells. However, the biological effects of corilagin on gastric cancer and the mechanisms involved remain to be fully elucidated. In the present study, it was reported that corilagin induced inhibition of cell growth in SGC7901 and BGC823 cells in a concentration-dependent manner. It was found that corilagin exhibited less toxicity towards normal GES-1 cells. Furthermore, the study showed that corilagin induced the apoptosis of gastric cancer cells mainly via activating caspase-8, -9, -3 and poly ADP-ribose polymerase proteins. Simultaneously, it was verified that corilagin triggered autophagy in gastric cancer cells and the inhibition of autophagy improved the activity of corilagin on cell growth suppression. In addition, corilagin significantly increased intracellular reactive oxygen species production, which is important in inhibiting the growth of gastric cancer cells. Finally, it was shown that necroptosis cannot be induced by corilagin-incubation in SGC7901 and BGC823 cell lines. Consequently, these findings indicate that corilagin may be developed as a potential therapeutic drug for gastric cancer.

Chalcone flavokawain A attenuates TGF-β1-induced fibrotic pathology via inhibition of ROS/Smad3 signaling pathways and induction of Nrf2/ARE-mediated antioxidant genes in vascular smooth muscle cells

TGF‐β1 plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of vascular fibrotic diseases. Chalcones are reportedly cancer chemo‐preventive food components that are rich in fruits and vegetables. In this study, flavokawain A (FKA, 2‐30 μM), a naturally occurring chalcone in kava extracts, was evaluated for its anti‐fibrotic and antioxidant properties in TGF‐β1‐stimulated vascular smooth muscle (A7r5) cells, as well as its underlying molecular mechanism of action. Immunofluorescence data showed down‐regulated F‐actin expression with FKA treatment in TGF‐β1‐stimulated A7r5 cells. Western blotting demonstrated that FKA treatment suppressed the expression of α‐SMA and fibronectin proteins under TGF‐β1 stimulation. Findings from wound‐healing and invasion experiments showed that FKA inhibits TGF‐β1‐mediated migration and invasion. Western blotting demonstrated that treatment with FKA down‐regulated MMP‐9 and MMP‐2 and up‐regulated TIMP‐1 expression. Further evidence showed that FKA decreased TGF‐β1‐mediated phosphorylation and the transcriptional activity of Smad3. TGF‐β1‐induced excessive ROS production was remarkably reversed by FKA treatment in A7r5 cells, and inhibition by FKA or N‐acetylcysteine (NAC) substantially diminished TGF‐β1‐induced p‐Smad3 activation and wound‐healing migration. Interestingly, FKA‐mediated antioxidant properties were associated with increased nuclear translocation of Nrf2 and elevated antioxidant response element (ARE) luciferase activity. Activation of Nrf2/ARE signaling was accompanied by the induction of HO‐1, NQO‐1 and γ‐GCLC genes in FKA‐treated A7r5 cells. Notably, silencing of Nrf2 (siRNA transfection) significantly diminished the FKA‐mediated antioxidant effects, indicating that FKA may inhibit TGF‐β1‐induced fibrosis through suppressing ROS generation in A7r5 cells. Our results suggested that anti‐fibrotic and antioxidant activities of the chalcone flavokawain A may contribute to the development of food‐based chemo‐preventive drugs for fibrotic diseases.

Mechanisms of synergistic neurotoxicity induced by two high risk pesticide residues - Chlorpyrifos and Carbofuran via oxidative stress

Multi-component pesticide residues, especially pesticide residues with synergistic toxicity, are a serious threat to food safety. With risk assessment, we found that Chlorpyrifos (CPF) and Carbofuran (CBF) are 2 pesticide residues with highest risk for Actinidia chinensis planch. The results showed CPF and CBF have a synergistic neurotoxicity on neural cell SK-N-SH. The toxicity was partly depending on oxidative stress (OS) and had effects on cell apoptosis and cell cycle arrest. Furthermore, the toxicity remained on long-term low-dose condition.

Quantitative assessment of the relationship between Fas/FasL genes polymorphisms and head and neck cancer risk

BACKGROUND

Molecular epidemiological studies have demonstrated a closer association between Fas/FasL polymorphisms and head and neck cancer (HNC) risk, and the results of these published studies were inconsistent. We therefore performed this meta-analysis to explore the associations between Fas/FasL polymorphisms and HNC risk.

METHODS

Four online databases (PubMed, Embase, CNKI, and Wanfang) were searched. Odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence interval (95% CIs) were calculated to assess the association between Fas -670A>G, Fas -1377G>A, and FasL -844C>T polymorphisms and HNC risk. In addition, heterogeneity, accumulative/sensitivity analysis, and publication bias were conducted to check the statistical power.

RESULTS

Overall, 9 related publications (20 independent case-control studies) involving 3179 patients and 4217 controls were identified. Significant association of protective effects was observed between FasL -844C>T polymorphism and HNC risk in codominant and dominant model models (CT vs CC: OR = 0.89, 95% CI = 0.79-1.00, P = .05, I = 38.3%, CT+TT vs CC: OR = 0.88, 95% CI = 0.79-0.98, P = .02, I = 35.8%). Furthermore, the similar protective effects were observed the subgroup analysis of in Asian population and population-based controls group.

CONCLUSION

Our meta-analysis indicated that FasL -844C>T polymorphism plays a protective role against HNC development, but the Fas -670A>G and Fas -1377G>A polymorphisms maybe not associated with HNC risk.