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Madej M, Gola J, Chrobak E. Synthesis, Pharmacological Properties, and Potential Molecular Mechanisms of Antitumor Activity of Betulin and Its Derivatives in Gastrointestinal Cancers. Pharmaceutics 2023; 15:2768. [PMID: 38140110 PMCID: PMC10748330 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15122768] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2023] [Revised: 12/04/2023] [Accepted: 12/08/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Gastrointestinal (GI) cancers are an increasingly common type of malignancy, caused by the unhealthy lifestyles of people worldwide. Limited methods of treatment have prompted the search for new compounds with antitumor activity, in which betulin (BE) is leading the way. BE as a compound is classified as a pentacyclic triterpene of the lupane type, having three highly reactive moieties in its structure. Its mechanism of action is based on the inhibition of key components of signaling pathways associated with proliferation, migration, interleukins, and others. BE also has a number of biological properties, i.e., anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective, neuroprotective, as well as antitumor. Due to its poor bioavailability, betulin is subjected to chemical modifications, obtaining derivatives with proven enhanced pharmacological and pharmacokinetic properties as a result. The method of synthesis and substituents significantly influence the effect on cells and GI cancers. Moreover, the cytotoxic effect is highly dependent on the derivative as well as the individual cell line. The aim of this study is to review the methods of synthesis of BE and its derivatives, as well as its pharmacological properties and molecular mechanisms of action in colorectal cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma, gastric cancer, and esophageal cancer neoplasms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcel Madej
- Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences in Sosnowiec, Medical University of Silesia, 40-055 Katowice, Poland;
- Silesia LabMed, Centre for Research and Implementation, Medical University of Silesia, 40-752 Katowice, Poland
| | - Joanna Gola
- Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences in Sosnowiec, Medical University of Silesia, 40-055 Katowice, Poland;
| | - Elwira Chrobak
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences in Sosnowiec, Medical University of Silesia, 40-055 Katowice, Poland;
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Guo W, Wang M, Yang Z, Liu D, Ma B, Zhao Y, Chen Y, Hu Y. Recent advances in small molecule and peptide inhibitors of glucose-regulated protein 78 for cancer therapy. Eur J Med Chem 2023; 261:115792. [PMID: 37690265 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2023.115792] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2023] [Revised: 08/18/2023] [Accepted: 09/02/2023] [Indexed: 09/12/2023]
Abstract
Glucose-regulated protein 78 (GRP78) is one of key endoplasmic reticulum (ER) chaperone proteins that regulates the unfolded protein response (UPR) to maintain ER homeostasis. As a core factor in the regulation of the UPR, GRP78 takes a critical part in the cellular processes required for tumorigenesis, such as proliferation, metastasis, anti-apoptosis, immune escape and chemoresistance. Overexpression of GRP78 is closely correlated with tumorigenesis and poor prognosis in various malignant tumors. Targeting GRP78 is regarded as a potentially promising therapeutic strategy for cancer therapy. Although none of the GRP78 inhibitors have been approved to date, there have been several studies of GRP78 inhibitors. Herein, we comprehensively review the structure, physiological functions of GRP78 and the recent progress of GRP78 inhibitors, and discuss the structures, in vitro and in vivo efficacies, and merits and demerits of these inhibitors to inspire further research. Additionally, the feasibility of GRP78-targeting proteolysis-targeting chimeras (PROTACs), disrupting GRP78 cochaperone interactions, or covalent inhibition are also discussed as novel strategies for drugs discovery targeting GRP78, with the hope that these strategies can provide new opportunities for targeted GRP78 antitumor therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weikai Guo
- The Jointed National Laboratory of Antibody Drug Engineering, The First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University, Henan University, Kaifeng, 475004, China
| | - Manjie Wang
- The Jointed National Laboratory of Antibody Drug Engineering, The First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University, Henan University, Kaifeng, 475004, China
| | - Zhengfan Yang
- The Jointed National Laboratory of Antibody Drug Engineering, The First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University, Henan University, Kaifeng, 475004, China
| | - Danyang Liu
- The Jointed National Laboratory of Antibody Drug Engineering, The First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University, Henan University, Kaifeng, 475004, China
| | - Borui Ma
- The Jointed National Laboratory of Antibody Drug Engineering, The First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University, Henan University, Kaifeng, 475004, China
| | - Yanqun Zhao
- The Jointed National Laboratory of Antibody Drug Engineering, The First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University, Henan University, Kaifeng, 475004, China
| | - Yihua Chen
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Genome Editing and Cell Therapy, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, The Institute of Biomedical Sciences and School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200241, China.
| | - Yanzhong Hu
- The Jointed National Laboratory of Antibody Drug Engineering, The First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University, Henan University, Kaifeng, 475004, China.
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Zhang H, Xing Z, Zheng J, Shi J, Cui C. Ursolic acid ameliorates traumatic brain injury in mice by regulating microRNA-141-mediated PDCD4/PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. Int Immunopharmacol 2023; 120:110258. [PMID: 37244112 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2023.110258] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/25/2022] [Revised: 04/16/2023] [Accepted: 04/28/2023] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Neuronal apoptosis and inflammation are the key pathogenic features of secondary brain injury, which results in the neurological impairment that traumatic brain injury (TBI) patients experience. Ursolic Acid (UA) has been shown to have neuroprotective properties against brain damage, however, detailed mechanisms have not been fully disclosed. Research on brain-related microRNAs (miRNAs) has opened up new possibilities for the neuroprotective treatment of UA by manipulating miRNAs. The present study was designed to investigate the impact of UA on neuronal apoptosis and the inflammatory response in TBI mice. METHODS The mice's neurologic condition was assessed using the modified neurological severity score (mNSS) and the learning and memory abilities were assessed using the Morris water maze (MWM). Cell apoptosis, oxidative stress, and inflammation were utilized to examine the impact of UA on neuronal pathological damage. miR-141-3p was selected to evaluate whether UA influences miRNAs in a way that has neuroprotective benefits. RESULTS The results showed that UA markedly decreased brain edema and neuronal mortality through oxidative stress and neuroinflammation in TBI mice. Using data from the GEO database, we found that miR-141-3p was considerably downregulated in TBI mice and that this downregulation was reversed by UA treatment. Further studies have shown that UA regulates miR-141-3p expression to exhibit its neuroprotective effect in mouse models and cell injury models. Then, miR-141-3p was discovered to directly target PDCD4 in TBI mice and neurons, a well-known PI3K/AKT pathway regulator in the neurons. Most importantly, the upregulation of phosphorylated (p)-AKT and p-PI3K provided the most compelling evidence that UA reactivated the PI3K/AKT pathway in the TBI mouse model, which was through regulating miR-141-3p. CONCLUSION Our findings support the notion that UA can improve TBI by modulating miR-141 mediated PDCD4/PI3K/AKT signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongyun Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xinxiang Central Hospital, The Fourth Clinical College of Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang 453000, Henan, China
| | - Zhenyi Xing
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xinxiang Central Hospital, The Fourth Clinical College of Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang 453000, Henan, China.
| | - Jie Zheng
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xinxiang Central Hospital, The Fourth Clinical College of Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang 453000, Henan, China
| | - Jiantao Shi
- Department of Neurosurgery, Southwest Hospital, Army Medical University, Chong'qing 40000, China
| | - Chengxi Cui
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xinxiang Central Hospital, The Fourth Clinical College of Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang 453000, Henan, China
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Musa M, Zeppieri M, Atuanya GN, Enaholo ES, Topah EK, Ojo OM, Salati C. Nutritional Factors: Benefits in Glaucoma and Ophthalmologic Pathologies. Life (Basel) 2023; 13:life13051120. [PMID: 37240765 DOI: 10.3390/life13051120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2023] [Revised: 04/17/2023] [Accepted: 04/26/2023] [Indexed: 05/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Glaucoma is a chronic optic neuropathy that can lead to irreversible functional and morphological damage if left untreated. The gold standard therapeutic approaches in managing patients with glaucoma and limiting progression include local drops, laser, and/or surgery, which are all geared at reducing intraocular pressure (IOP). Nutrients, antioxidants, vitamins, organic compounds, and micronutrients have been gaining increasing interest in the past decade as integrative IOP-independent strategies to delay or halt glaucomatous retinal ganglion cell degeneration. In our minireview, we examine the various nutrients and compounds proposed in the current literature for the management of ophthalmology diseases, especially for glaucoma. With respect to each substance considered, this minireview reports the molecular and biological characteristics, neuroprotective activities, antioxidant properties, beneficial mechanisms, and clinical studies published in the past decade in the field of general medicine. This study highlights the potential benefits of these substances in glaucoma and other ophthalmologic pathologies. Nutritional supplementation can thus be useful as integrative IOP-independent strategies in the management of glaucoma and in other ophthalmologic pathologies. Large multicenter clinical trials based on functional and morphologic data collected over long follow-up periods in patients with IOP-independent treatments can pave the way for alternative and/or coadjutant therapeutic options in the management of glaucoma and other ocular pathologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mutali Musa
- Department of Optometry, University of Benin, Benin City 300238, Edo State, Nigeria
| | - Marco Zeppieri
- Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital of Udine, 33100 Udine, Italy
| | | | | | - Efioshiomoshi Kings Topah
- Department of Optometry, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, College of Health Sciences Bayero University, Kano 700006, Kano State, Nigeria
| | - Oluwasola Michael Ojo
- School of Optometry and Vision Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of Ilorin, Ilorin 240003, Kwara State, Nigeria
| | - Carlo Salati
- Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital of Udine, 33100 Udine, Italy
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Bozkurt AS, Görücü Yílmaz Ş. Ferroptotic Potency of ISM1 Expression in the Drug-Induced Alzheimer's Disease-Like Phenotype Under the Influence of Betulin. J Alzheimers Dis 2023; 96:1565-1578. [PMID: 37980676 DOI: 10.3233/jad-230940] [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] [Indexed: 11/21/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease characterized by two main pathological mechanisms, mostly hyperphosphorylated tau and amyloid-β toxicity. Although many studies focus on these basic mechanisms, ferroptosis draws attention as an important pathway responsible for neurodegeneration in AD. There is no definitive treatment for AD but alternative phytochemicals to drugs come into prominence. Betulin is usually obtained from the birch tree. It is an abundant triterpene and has a high antioxidant capacity. Isthmin-1 (ISM1) is a secreted adipokine. OBJECTIVE In this study, we investigated the potential treatment of AD in the ferroptosis-ISM1-betulin triangle. METHODS For this, we created an AD model with okadaic acid (200 ng/kg)) in 36 Wistar albino male rats and treated with betulin (20 mg/kg/day, i.p). We evaluated ISM1 gene expression, iron accumulation, and total oxidative metabolism parameters (TAS, TOS, OSI) in hippocampal tissue. We analyzed cognitive recovery in AD with Morris Water Maze Test and general locomotor activity, explore, and anti-anxiolytic effect with Open Field Test. RESULTS We compared the obtained data with metabolic and genetic results. In conclusion, betulin may have a role in neuronal ferroptotic mechanisms by reducing iron accumulation by ISM1 regulation. CONCLUSIONS Betulin may have a role in neuronal ferroptotic mechanisms by reducing iron accumulation by ISM1 regulation. Although this study suggests the corrective effect of betulin and ISM1 on cognitive gain and anxiety, it is the first study to show the total antioxidant capacity of betulin in AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmet Sarper Bozkurt
- Gaziantep University, Medical Faculty, Physiology Department, Gaziantep University, Gaziantep, Turkey
| | - Şenay Görücü Yílmaz
- Gaziantep University, Health Science Faculty, Nutrition and Dietetics Department, Gaziantep University, Gaziantep, Turkey
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