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Similie D, Minda D, Bora L, Kroškins V, Lugiņina J, Turks M, Dehelean CA, Danciu C. An Update on Pentacyclic Triterpenoids Ursolic and Oleanolic Acids and Related Derivatives as Anticancer Candidates. Antioxidants (Basel) 2024; 13:952. [PMID: 39199198 PMCID: PMC11351203 DOI: 10.3390/antiox13080952] [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: 07/10/2024] [Revised: 08/02/2024] [Accepted: 08/04/2024] [Indexed: 09/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Cancer is a global health problem, with the incidence rate estimated to reach 40% of the population by 2030. Although there are currently several therapeutic methods, none of them guarantee complete healing. Plant-derived natural products show high therapeutic potential in the management of various types of cancer, with some of them already being used in current practice. Among different classes of phytocompounds, pentacyclic triterpenoids have been in the spotlight of research on this topic. Ursolic acid (UA) and its structural isomer, oleanolic acid (OA), represent compounds intensively studied and tested in vitro and in vivo for their anticancer and chemopreventive properties. Since natural compounds can rarely be used in practice as such due to their characteristic physico-chemical properties, to tackle this problem, their derivatization has been attempted, obtaining compounds with improved solubility, absorption, stability, effectiveness, and reduced toxicity. This review presents various UA and OA derivatives that have been synthesized and evaluated in recent studies for their anticancer potential. It can be observed that the most frequent structural transformations were carried out at the C-3, C-28, or both positions simultaneously. It has been demonstrated that conjugation with heterocycles or cinnamic acid, derivatization as hydrazide, or transforming OH groups into esters or amides increases anticancer efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diana Similie
- Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, “Victor Babeș” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Eftimie Murgu Square, No. 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania; (D.S.); (L.B.); (C.D.)
- Research and Processing Center of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, “Victor Babeș” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Eftimie Murgu Square, No. 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania;
| | - Daliana Minda
- Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, “Victor Babeș” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Eftimie Murgu Square, No. 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania; (D.S.); (L.B.); (C.D.)
- Research and Processing Center of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, “Victor Babeș” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Eftimie Murgu Square, No. 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania;
| | - Larisa Bora
- Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, “Victor Babeș” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Eftimie Murgu Square, No. 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania; (D.S.); (L.B.); (C.D.)
- Research and Processing Center of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, “Victor Babeș” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Eftimie Murgu Square, No. 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania;
| | - Vladislavs Kroškins
- Institute of Chemistry and Chemical Technology, Faculty of Natural Sciences and Technology, Riga Technical University, Paula Valdena Str. 3, LV-1048 Riga, Latvia; (V.K.); (J.L.); (M.T.)
| | - Jevgeņija Lugiņina
- Institute of Chemistry and Chemical Technology, Faculty of Natural Sciences and Technology, Riga Technical University, Paula Valdena Str. 3, LV-1048 Riga, Latvia; (V.K.); (J.L.); (M.T.)
| | - Māris Turks
- Institute of Chemistry and Chemical Technology, Faculty of Natural Sciences and Technology, Riga Technical University, Paula Valdena Str. 3, LV-1048 Riga, Latvia; (V.K.); (J.L.); (M.T.)
| | - Cristina Adriana Dehelean
- Research and Processing Center of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, “Victor Babeș” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Eftimie Murgu Square, No. 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania;
- Department of Toxicology, Drug Industry, Management and Legislation, Faculty of Pharmacy, “Victor Babeș” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timișoara, Eftimie Murgu Square, No. 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
- Research Center for Pharmaco-Toxicological Evaluation, “Victor Babeș” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Eftimie Murgu Square, No. 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Corina Danciu
- Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, “Victor Babeș” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Eftimie Murgu Square, No. 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania; (D.S.); (L.B.); (C.D.)
- Research and Processing Center of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, “Victor Babeș” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Eftimie Murgu Square, No. 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania;
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Liu C, Li S, Zhang C, Jin CH. Recent Advances in Research on Active Compounds Against Hepatic Fibrosis. Curr Med Chem 2024; 31:2571-2628. [PMID: 37497688 DOI: 10.2174/0929867331666230727102016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2022] [Revised: 05/14/2023] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/28/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Almost all chronic liver diseases cause fibrosis, which can lead to cirrhosis and eventually liver cancer. Liver fibrosis is now considered to be a reversible pathophysiological process and suppression of fibrosis is necessary to prevent liver cancer. At present, no specific drugs have been found that have hepatic anti-fibrotic activity. OBJECTIVE The research progress of anti-hepatic fibrosis compounds in recent ten years was reviewed to provide a reference for the design and development of anti-hepatic fibrosis drugs. METHODS According to the structure of the compounds, they are divided into monocyclic compounds, fused-heterocyclic compounds, and acyclic compounds. RESULTS In this article, the natural products and synthetic compounds with anti-fibrotic activity in recent ten years were reviewed, with emphasis on their pharmacological activity and structure-activity relationship (SAR). CONCLUSION Most of these compounds are natural active products and their derivatives, and there are few researches on synthetic compounds and SAR studies on natural product.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chuang Liu
- Key Laboratory of Natural Resources of Changbai Mountain, Ministry of Education, Molecular Medicine Research Center, College of Pharmacy, Yanbian University, Yanji, Jilin, 133002, China
| | - Siqi Li
- Key Laboratory of Natural Resources of Changbai Mountain, Ministry of Education, Molecular Medicine Research Center, College of Pharmacy, Yanbian University, Yanji, Jilin, 133002, China
| | - Changhao Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Natural Resources of Changbai Mountain, Ministry of Education, Molecular Medicine Research Center, College of Pharmacy, Yanbian University, Yanji, Jilin, 133002, China
| | - Cheng-Hua Jin
- Key Laboratory of Natural Resources of Changbai Mountain, Ministry of Education, Molecular Medicine Research Center, College of Pharmacy, Yanbian University, Yanji, Jilin, 133002, China
- Interdisciplinary of Biological Functional Molecules, College of Integration Science, Yanbian University, Yanji, Jilin, 133002, China
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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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Cai C, Zhi Y, Xie C, Geng S, Sun F, Ji Z, Zhang P, Wang H, Tang J. Ursolic acid-downregulated long noncoding RNA ASMTL-AS1 inhibits renal cell carcinoma growth via binding to HuR and reducing vascular endothelial growth factor expression. J Biochem Mol Toxicol 2023; 37:e23389. [PMID: 37300450 DOI: 10.1002/jbt.23389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2022] [Revised: 02/24/2023] [Accepted: 05/17/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
It has been reported ursolic acid (UA), one of the naturally abundant pentacyclic triterpenes, possesses a wide range of biological activities including anti-inflammatory, anti-atherosclerotic, and anticancer properties. Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is a severe malignancy due to its asymptomatically spreading ability. Our study aimed to investigate the role and molecular mechanism of UA in RCC. RCC cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and angiogenesis were assessed using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide, Transwell, and tube formation assays. Xenograft tumor models were established to confirm the role of UA and long noncoding RNA ASMTL antisense RNA 1 (ASMTL-AS1) in vivo. Expression levels of ASMTL-AS1 and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were measured using reverse transcriptase quantitative polymerase chain reaction and western blot analysis. The interaction probabilities of ASMTL-AS1 or VEGF with RNA-binding protein human antigen R (HuR) were verified by RNA immunoprecipitation experiment. The half-life period of messenger RNA (mRNA) was determined using actinomycin D. UA inhibited RCC cell growth in vivo and tumorigenesis in vitro. ASMTL-AS1 was highly expressed in RCC cell lines. Of note, UA downregulated ASMTL-AS1 expression, and overexpressed ASMTL-AS1 reversed the UA-induced suppression on RCC cell migration, invasion, and tube formation. Additionally, ASMTL-AS1 bound to HuR to maintain the stability of VEGF mRNA. Rescue experiments showed that the suppressed malignancy of RCC cells mediated by ASMTL-AS1 knockdown was counteracted by overexpression of VEGF. Moreover, silenced ASMTL-AS1 inhibited RCC tumor growth and metastasis in vivo. The obtained data suggest UA as a promising therapeutic agent to attenuate the development of RCC via regulation of the targeted molecules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chengkuan Cai
- Department of Urology, The First People's Hospital of Lianyungang, The Affiliated Lianyungang Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Lianyungang, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yunlai Zhi
- Department of Urology, The First People's Hospital of Lianyungang, The Affiliated Lianyungang Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Lianyungang, Jiangsu, China
| | - Cheng Xie
- Department of Urology, The First People's Hospital of Lianyungang, The Affiliated Lianyungang Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Lianyungang, Jiangsu, China
| | - Shen Geng
- Department of Urology, The First People's Hospital of Lianyungang, The Affiliated Lianyungang Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Lianyungang, Jiangsu, China
| | - Fanghu Sun
- Department of Urology, The First People's Hospital of Lianyungang, The Affiliated Lianyungang Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Lianyungang, Jiangsu, China
| | - Zhengshuai Ji
- Department of Urology, The First People's Hospital of Lianyungang, The Affiliated Lianyungang Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Lianyungang, Jiangsu, China
| | - Pengcheng Zhang
- Department of Urology, The First People's Hospital of Lianyungang, The Affiliated Lianyungang Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Lianyungang, Jiangsu, China
| | - Hui Wang
- Department of Urology, The First People's Hospital of Lianyungang, The Affiliated Lianyungang Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Lianyungang, Jiangsu, China
| | - Jingyuan Tang
- Department of Urology, Jiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
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Şenol H, Çelik Turgut G, Şen A, Sağlamtaş R, Tuncay S, Gülçin İ, Topçu G. Synthesis of nitrogen-containing oleanolic acid derivatives as carbonic anhydrase and acetylcholinesterase inhibitors. Med Chem Res 2023. [DOI: 10.1007/s00044-023-03031-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/15/2023]
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Ursolic Acid Analogs as Potential Therapeutics for Cancer. MOLECULES (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 27:molecules27248981. [PMID: 36558113 PMCID: PMC9785537 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27248981] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2022] [Revised: 12/13/2022] [Accepted: 12/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Ursolic acid (UA) is a pentacyclic triterpene isolated from a large variety of vegetables, fruits and many traditional medicinal plants. It is a structural isomer of Oleanolic Acid. The medicinal application of UA has been explored extensively over the last two decades. The diverse pharmacological properties of UA include anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antiviral, antioxidant, anti-proliferative, etc. Especially, UA holds a promising position, potentially, as a cancer preventive and therapeutic agent due to its relatively non-toxic properties against normal cells but its antioxidant and antiproliferative activities against cancer cells. Cell culture studies have shown interference of UA with multiple pharmacological and molecular targets that play a critical role in many cells signaling pathways. Although UA is considered a privileged natural product, its clinical applications are limited due to its low absorption through the gastro-intestinal track and rapid elimination. The low bioavailability of UA limits its use as a therapeutic drug. To overcome these drawbacks and utilize the importance of the scaffold, many researchers have been engaged in designing and developing synthetic analogs of UA via structural modifications. This present review summarizes the synthetic UA analogs and their cytotoxic antiproliferative properties reported in the last two decades.
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Falev DI, Ovchinnikov DV, Voronov IS, Faleva AV, Ul’yanovskii NV, Kosyakov DS. Supercritical Fluid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry for Rapid Quantification of Pentacyclic Triterpenoids in Plant Extracts. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2022; 15:629. [PMID: 35631456 PMCID: PMC9143669 DOI: 10.3390/ph15050629] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2022] [Revised: 05/16/2022] [Accepted: 05/17/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Pentacyclic triterpenoids (PCTs) are a widely distributed class of plant secondary metabolites. These compounds have high bioactive properties, primarily antitumor and antioxidant activity. In this study, a method was developed for the quantitative analysis of pentacyclic triterpenoids in plants using supercritical fluid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (SFC-MS/MS). Separation of ten major PCTs (friedelin, lupeol, β-amyrin, α-amyrin, betulin, erythrodiol, uvaol, betulinic, oleanolic and ursolic acids) was studied on six silica-based reversed stationary phases. The best results (7 min analysis time in isocratic elution mode) were achieved on an HSS C18 SB stationary phase using carbon dioxide-isopropanol (8%) mobile phase providing decisive contribution of polar interactions to the retention of analytes. It was shown that the use of atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI) is preferred over atmospheric pressure photoionization (APPI). The combination of SFC with APCI-MS/MS mass spectrometry made it possible to achieve the limits of quantification in plant extracts in the range of 2.3-20 μg·L-1. The developed method was validated and tested in the analyses of birch outer layer (Betula pendula) bark, and licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra) root, as well as lingonberry (Vaccinium vitis-idaea), cranberry (Vaccinium oxycoccos), apple (Malus domestica "Golden Delicious" and Malus domestica "Red Delicious") peels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danil I. Falev
- Laboratory of Natural Compounds Chemistry and Bioanalytics, Core Facility Center “Arktika”, M.V. Lomonosov Northern (Arctic) Federal University, Northern Dvina Emb. 17, 163002 Arkhangelsk, Russia; (D.V.O.); (I.S.V.); (A.V.F.); (N.V.U.)
| | | | | | | | | | - Dmitry S. Kosyakov
- Laboratory of Natural Compounds Chemistry and Bioanalytics, Core Facility Center “Arktika”, M.V. Lomonosov Northern (Arctic) Federal University, Northern Dvina Emb. 17, 163002 Arkhangelsk, Russia; (D.V.O.); (I.S.V.); (A.V.F.); (N.V.U.)
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Yang W, He L. The protective effect of hederagenin on renal fibrosis by targeting muscarinic acetylcholine receptor. Bioengineered 2022; 13:8689-8698. [PMID: 35322725 PMCID: PMC9161953 DOI: 10.1080/21655979.2022.2054596] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Hederagenin (HE) plays a protective role by inhibiting cell proliferation and ameliorating fibrosis. The current therapy for Chronic kidney disease (CKD) often result in the risks of side effects. The present study aimed to explore whether it can protect against renal fibrosis and unveil the underlying mechanism. Transforming growth factor (TGF)-β was used to induce the fibroblasts NRK-49 F for the simulation of renal fibrosis. The cell viability and expression of fibrosis-related proteins in TGF-β-treated NRK-49 F cells was, respectively, measured by Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) and western blot. After predicting the target genes of HE, M3 receptor was measured in NRK-49 F cells treated with TGF-β alone or in combination with HE. Then, M3 receptor was silenced in TGF-β-treated NRK-49 F cells for the detection of its role in proliferation and fibrosis. Muscarinic acetylcholine receptor M3 (M3 receptor) agonist pilocarpine was further added to determine the role of M3 receptor involved. HE inhibited the proliferation and fibrosis of TGF-β-treated NRK-49 F cells. M3 receptor was predicted to be a target of HE. Moreover, interference of M3 receptor improved the proliferation and fibrosis of TGF-β-treated NRK-49 F cells. Further addition of pilocarpine reversed the inhibitory effect of HE on proliferation and fibrosis of TGF-β-treated NRK-49 F cells. HE protects against renal fibrosis in NRK-49 F cells by targeting Muscarinic acetylcholine receptor, which will provide theoretical basis for the clinical use of HE for kidney-related disease treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Yang
- Nephrology Department, Shanxi Traditional Chinese Medicine Institute, Shanxi, China
| | - Lijuan He
- Acupuncture and Moxibustion Department, Xi 'An TCM Hospital of Encephalopathy, Xi'an City, China
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Pereira VV, Pereira NR, Pereira RCG, Duarte LP, Takahashi JA, Silva RR. Synthesis and Antimicrobial Activity of Ursolic Acid Ester Derivatives. Chem Biodivers 2022; 19:e202100566. [PMID: 34793623 DOI: 10.1002/cbdv.202100566] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2021] [Accepted: 11/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Infections caused by microorganisms are a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, and natural products continue to be important sources for the discovery of new antimicrobial agents. Ursolic acid is a triterpene with known antibacterial action, being naturally found in plants, such as Jaracanda oxyphylla and Jacaranda caroba (Bignoniaceae). Ursolic acid derivative esters have revealed potential biological activities, such as antitumor, antiviral, and antibacterial activity. In this study, sixteen esters (1-16) were synthesized from ursolic acid using DIC/DMAP and characterized by infrared (IR), nuclear magnetic resonance (1 H- and 13 C-NMR) and mass spectrometry. All ursolic acid esters were evaluated against Bacillus cereus, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhimurium, and the yeast Candida albicans. Six compounds are herein described for the first time (3, 9, 11, 13, 14 and 16) with yields up to 91.6 %. Compounds 11 (3β-(3,4-dimethoxybenzoyl)ursolic acid) and 15 (3β-nicotinoylursolic acid) displayed promising antifungal activity, with inhibition of C. albicans growth of 93.1 and 95.9 %, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vinicius Viana Pereira
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, 31270-901, Belo Horizonte-MG, Brazil
| | - Nara Rúbia Pereira
- Chemistry Department, Universidade Federal dos Vales do Jequitinhonha e Mucuri, 39100-000, Diamantina-MG, Brazil
| | | | - Lucienir Pains Duarte
- Chemistry Department, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, 31270-901, Belo Horizonte-MG, Brazil
| | | | - Roqueline Rodrigues Silva
- Chemistry Department, Universidade Federal dos Vales do Jequitinhonha e Mucuri, 39100-000, Diamantina-MG, Brazil
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Qi Z, Yang G, Deng T, Wang J, Zhou H, Popov SA, Shults EE, Wang C. Design and linkage optimization of ursane-thalidomide-based PROTACs and identification of their targeted-degradation properties to MDM2 protein. Bioorg Chem 2021; 111:104901. [PMID: 33878647 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2021.104901] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2020] [Revised: 03/08/2021] [Accepted: 04/05/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Ursolic acid (UA) is an accessible triterpenoid, widely applied in the design and synthesis of antitumor compounds. However, the mechanism of its anti-tumor effect is still unclear. To verify the molecular mechanism of its biological activity, based on the bifunctional activity of ubiquitination and subsequent proteasomal degradation of the target protein of the proteolysis-targeting chimeras (PROTACs) strategy, here we report the design, synthesis and cellular activity of six UA PROTAC hydrochloride compounds 1A-1F, in which UA acts as the binding ligand of the PROTAC and is linked to thalidomide (E3 ligand) through a series of synthetic linkers. The results revealed that compound 1B, connected with a POE-3 (3-Polyoxyether) possessed remarkable in vitro antitumor activity (with the IC50 value of 0.23 ~ 0.39 μM against A549, Huh7, HepG2). WB results demonstrated that the administration of compound 1B induced significant degradation of MDM2 (only 25% to that of SM1), and promoted the expression of P21 and PUMA proteins, and thus inhibited the proliferation (77.67% of 1B vs 60.37% of CON in G1 phase) and promoted the apoptosis (26.74% of 1B vs 3.35% of CON) of A549 cells. This work demonstrated proof of designing the efficient target protein degradation by UA PROTACs with the POE linkers. In addition, we confirmed that UA possess the characteristic of targeted-binding the protein of murine double minute-2 protein (MDM2). This will lay a foundation for the comprehensive utilization of forest natural compound UA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiwen Qi
- Institute of Chemical Industry of Forest Products, Chinese Academy of Forest, Nanjing 210042, Jiangsu, PR China.
| | - Guliang Yang
- National Engineering Laboratory for Rice and By-products Processing, Food Science and Engineering College, Central South University of Forestry and Technology, Changsha 410004, Hunan, PR China.
| | - Tao Deng
- Institute of Tropical Medicine & the Science and Technology Innovation Center, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 501405, PR China
| | - Jianmin Wang
- School of Computer Science and Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha 410012, PR China
| | - Hao Zhou
- Institute of Chemical Industry of Forest Products, Chinese Academy of Forest, Nanjing 210042, Jiangsu, PR China
| | - Sergey A Popov
- Novosibirsk Institute of Organic Chemistry, Acad. Lavrentyev ave. 9, Novosibirsk 630090, Russia
| | - Elvira E Shults
- Novosibirsk Institute of Organic Chemistry, Acad. Lavrentyev ave. 9, Novosibirsk 630090, Russia
| | - Chengzhang Wang
- Institute of Chemical Industry of Forest Products, Chinese Academy of Forest, Nanjing 210042, Jiangsu, PR China.
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Chen K, Yang R, Shen FQ, Zhu HL. Advances in Pharmacological Activities and Mechanisms of Glycyrrhizic Acid. Curr Med Chem 2021; 27:6219-6243. [PMID: 31612817 DOI: 10.2174/0929867325666191011115407] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2019] [Revised: 09/09/2019] [Accepted: 09/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra L.) is widely regarded as an important medicinal plant and has been used for centuries in traditional medicine because of its therapeutic properties. Studies have shown that metabolites isolated from licorice have many pharmacological activities, such as antiinflammatory, anti-viral, participation in immune regulation, anti-tumor and other activities. This article gives an overview of the pharmacological activities and mechanisms of licorice metabolites and the adverse reactions that need attention. This review helps to further investigate the possibility of licorice as a potential drug for various diseases. It is hoped that this review can provide a relevant theoretical basis for relevant scholars' research and their own learning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kun Chen
- The Joint Research Center of Guangzhou University and Keele Univeristy for Gene Interference and
Application, School of Life Science, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, People’s Republic of China,State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University,
Nanjing 210023, People’s Republic of China
| | - Rong Yang
- The Joint Research Center of Guangzhou University and Keele Univeristy for Gene Interference and
Application, School of Life Science, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, People’s Republic of China,State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University,
Nanjing 210023, People’s Republic of China
| | - Fa-Qian Shen
- The Joint Research Center of Guangzhou University and Keele Univeristy for Gene Interference and
Application, School of Life Science, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, People’s Republic of China,State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University,
Nanjing 210023, People’s Republic of China
| | - Hai-Liang Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University,
Nanjing 210023, People’s Republic of China
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Khwaza V, Oyedeji OO, Aderibigbe BA. Ursolic Acid-Based Derivatives as Potential Anti-Cancer Agents: An Update. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E5920. [PMID: 32824664 PMCID: PMC7460570 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21165920] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2020] [Revised: 05/12/2020] [Accepted: 05/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Ursolic acid is a pharmacologically active pentacyclic triterpenoid derived from medicinal plants, fruit, and vegetables. The pharmacological activities of ursolic acid have been extensively studied over the past few years and various reports have revealed that ursolic acid has multiple biological activities, which include anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-cancer, etc. In terms of cancer treatment, ursolic acid interacts with a number of molecular targets that play an essential role in many cell signaling pathways. It suppresses transformation, inhibits proliferation, and induces apoptosis of tumor cells. Although ursolic acid has many benefits, its therapeutic applications in clinical medicine are limited by its poor bioavailability and absorption. To overcome such disadvantages, researchers around the globe have designed and developed synthetic ursolic acid derivatives with enhanced therapeutic effects by structurally modifying the parent skeleton of ursolic acid. These structurally modified compounds display enhanced therapeutic effects when compared to ursolic acid. This present review summarizes various synthesized derivatives of ursolic acid with anti-cancer activity which were reported from 2015 to date.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Blessing A. Aderibigbe
- Department of Chemistry, University of Fort Hare, Alice Campus, Alice 5700, Eastern Cape, South Africa; (V.K.); (O.O.O.)
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