Modulating effect of a hydroxychalcone and a novel coumarin–chalcone hybrid against mitomycin-induced genotoxicity in somatic cells of Drosophila melanogaster

Protective effects and DNA repair induction of a coumarin-chalcone hybrid against genotoxicity induced by mutagens

Coumarins and chalcones are compounds widely found in plants or obtained by synthetic methods which possess several biological properties including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antitumor effects. A series of coumarin-chalcone hybrids were synthesized to improve their biological actions and reduce potential adverse effects. Considering the applications of these molecules, a coumarin-chalcone hybrid [7-methoxy-3-(E)-3-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl) acryloyl-2 H-chromen-2-one] (4-MET) was synthesized and the genotoxic, cytotoxic, and protective effects assessed against damage induced by different mutagens. First, in silico tools were used to predict biological activity of 4-MET which indicated a chemopreventive potential. Subsequently, the genotoxic/antigenotoxic activities of 4-MET were determined both in vitro (Ames test) and in vivo (micronucleus (MN) test and comet assay). In addition, molecular docking simulations were performed between 4-MET and glutathione reductase, an important cellular detoxifying enzyme. Our results indicated that 4-MET was not mutagenic in the Ames test; however, when co-treated with sodium azide or 4-nitroquinoline 1-oxide (4-NQO), 4-MET significantly reduced the harmful actions of these mutagens. Except for a cytotoxic effect after 120 hr treatment, 4-MET alone did not produce cytotoxicity or genotoxicity in the MN test and comet assay. Nonetheless, all treatments of 4-MET with cyclophosphamide (CPA) showed a chemoprotective effect against DNA damage induced by CPA. Further, molecular docking analysis indicated a strong interaction between 4-MET and the catalytic site of glutathione reductase. These effects may be related to (1) damage prevention, (2) interaction with detoxifying enzymes, and (3) DNA-repair induction. Therefore, data demonstrated that 4-MET presents a favorable profile to be used in chemopreventive therapies.

Novel sulfonamide-chalcone hybrid stimulates inflammation, angiogenesis and upregulates vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in vivo

Chalcones and sulfonamides are well-known chemical groups associated with several biological activities such as antibiotic, anti-inflammatory, and antitumor activities. Over the past few decades, a series of sulfonamide-chalcone hybrids have been synthesized and assessed to develop compounds with interesting biological properties for application in disease therapy. In the present study, a new sulfonamide-chalcone hybrid μ - (2,5-dichloro-N-{4-[(3E)-4-(3-nitrophenyl) buta-1,3-dien-2-yl] phenyl} benzene sulfonamide), or simply CL185, was synthesized, and its angiogenic activity was assessed using the chick embryo chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) assay at different concentrations (12.5, 25, and 50 μg/μL). To further investigate the role of CL185 in the angiogenic process, we evaluated the levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in all treated CAMs. The results showed that all concentrations of CL185 significantly increased tissue vascularization (p < 0.05) as well as the parameters associated with angiogenesis, in which inflammation was the most marked phenomenon observed. In all CAMs treated with CL185, VEGF levels were significantly higher than those in the negative control (p < 0.05), and at the highest concentration, VEGF levels were even higher than in the positive control (p < 0.05). The pronounced angiogenic activity displayed by CL185 may be related to the increase in VEGF levels that were stimulated by inflammatory processes observed in our study. Therefore, CL185 presents a favorable profile for the development of drugs that can be used in pro-angiogenic and tissue repair therapies.

Lactose-binding lectin from Vatairea macrocarpa seeds induces in vivo angiogenesis via VEGF and TNF-ɑ expression and modulates in vitro doxorubicin-induced genotoxicity

Lactose-binding lectin from Vatairea macrocarpa seeds (VML) has attracted great attention due to its interesting biological activities, such as pro-inflammatory effects and macrophage activation. This study evaluated the cytotoxicity and genotoxicity/antigenotoxicity of VML in human lymphocytes using the CometChip assay, and angiogenic activity by the chick embryo chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) assay. In genotoxicity, lymphocytes were treated with different concentrations of VML (0.5, 2 and 8 μM). In antigenotoxicity, lymphocytes were treated with the same concentrations of VML concomitant doxorubicin (90 μM DXR). To evaluate angiogenesis, all CAM were treated with different concentrations of VML (0.5, 2 and 8 μM) alone or co-treated with lactose (0.1 M). Furthermore, the levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) in CAM were assessed by immunohistochemistry. The results showed that VML was cytotoxic to lymphocytes, genotoxic at the highest concentration (8 μM) and antigenotoxic at low concentrations (0.5, and 2 μM). Regarding the CAM assay and immunohistochemistry, VML was angiogenic and significantly increased VEGF and TNF-α levels. In contrast, co-treatment with lactose significantly reduced the angiogenic effect and VEGF levels. We propose that protein-carbohydrate interactions between VML and glycans in the cell membrane are probably the major events involved in these activities. It seems likely that VML elicits a pro-inflammatory response through VEGF and TNF-α expression, resulting in increased vascularization at the site of inflammation. Therefore, our results show novel information on the effects of VML on DNA, as well as provide data regarded the neovascularization process involving this lectin.

Modulating effect of DL-kavain on the mutagenicity and carcinogenicity induced by doxorubicin in Drosophila melanogaster

Kavain, kavalactone, present in Piper methysticum exhibits anticonvulsive, analgesic, anxiolytic, antiepileptic, antithrombotic, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Given its importance, the aim of the present study was to assess (1) the mutagenic and carcinogenicity of kavain administered alone and (2) the antimutagenic and anticarcinogenic potential when administered simultaneously with the chemotherapeutic drug doxorubicin (DXR) using the Somatic Mutation and Recombination Test (SMART) and Epithelial Tumor Test (ETT) using Drosophila melanogaster as a model system. Third-stage larvae from a standard (ST) and high metabolic bioactivation (HB) crosses were treated with different kavain concentrations (32, 64 or 128 μg/ml), alone or in conjunction with DXR (0.125 mg/ml). In ST descendants, kavain produced no significant mutagenic or recombinogenic effects. In the HB cross, mutagenic activity was observed at kavain concentrations of 64 and 128 μg/ml. In the DXR and kavain co-treatment, a modulating effect of the DXR-mediated mutagenic response dependent upon the concentration was detected in both crosses. In ETT, no marked carcinogenic or anticarcinogenic activity was noted for kavain. However, when kavain was combined with DXR synergistic induction of tumors by the chemotherapeutic drug occurred indicating that kavain enhanced the carcinogenic action of DXR.

Human Hazard Assessment Using Drosophila Wing Spot Test as an Alternative In Vivo Model for Genotoxicity Testing-A Review

Genomic instability, one of cancer's hallmarks, is induced by genotoxins from endogenous and exogenous sources, including reactive oxygen species (ROS), diet, and environmental pollutants. A sensitive in vivo genotoxicity test is required for the identification of human hazards to reduce the potential health risk. The somatic mutation and recombination test (SMART) or wing spot test is a genotoxicity assay involving Drosophila melanogaster (fruit fly) as a classical, alternative human model. This review describes the principle of the SMART assay in conjunction with its advantages and disadvantages and discusses applications of the assay covering all segments of health-related industries, including food, dietary supplements, drug industries, pesticides, and herbicides, as well as nanoparticles. Chemopreventive strategies are outlined as a global health trend for the anti-genotoxicity of interesting herbal extract compounds determined by SMART assay. The successful application of Drosophila for high-throughput screening of mutagens is also discussed as a future perspective.

Recombinogenic, genotoxic, and cytotoxic effects of azathioprine using in vivo assays

Azathioprine (Aza) is a purine antimetabolite immunosuppressant that is widely employed for immunosuppressive therapy in post-transplant recipients or patients with autoimmune diseases. Chronic use of immunosuppressants might produce several side effects, including a high rate of neoplasms in these patients. Considering that genotoxic effects are associated with an increased risk of developing cancer, the aim of this study was to examine the recombinogenic, genotoxic, and cytotoxic effects of Aza using Somatic Mutation and Recombination Test (SMART) in Drosophila melanogaster, as well as comet and micronucleus assays in mouse bone marrow cells. Further, the adverse effects of Aza were determined in mouse hepatic and renal tissues using histopathological analysis. Data demonstrated that Aza induced significant increased genotoxicity in D. melanogaster and mouse bone marrow cells at all concentrations tested. Homologous recombination was the predominant genotoxic event noted for the first time to be initiated by Aza in SMART. In histopathological analysis, Aza did not show any marked toxic activity in mouse hepatic and renal tissues. Therefore, the high rate of neoplasms reported in patients with long-term use of Aza may be attributed, at least partially, to the genotoxic action of this drug.