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Nistor G, Trandafirescu C, Prodea A, Milan A, Cristea A, Ghiulai R, Racoviceanu R, Mioc A, Mioc M, Ivan V, Șoica C. Semisynthetic Derivatives of Pentacyclic Triterpenes Bearing Heterocyclic Moieties with Therapeutic Potential. MOLECULES (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 27:molecules27196552. [PMID: 36235089 PMCID: PMC9572482 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27196552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2022] [Revised: 09/29/2022] [Accepted: 09/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Medicinal plants have been used by humans since ancient times for the treatment of various diseases and currently represent the main source of a variety of phytocompounds, such as triterpenes. Pentacyclic triterpenes have been subjected to numerous studies that have revealed various biological activities, such as anticancer, antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and hepatoprotective effects, which can be employed in therapy. However, due to their high lipophilicity, which is considered to exert a significant influence on their bioavailability, their current use is limited. A frequent approach employed to overcome this obstacle is the chemical derivatization of the core structure with different types of moieties including heterocycles, which are considered key elements in medicinal chemistry. The present review aims to summarize the literature published in the last 10 years regarding the derivatives of pentacyclic triterpenes bearing heterocyclic moieties and focuses on the biologically active derivatives as well as their structure-activity relationships. Predominantly, the targeted positions for the derivatization of the triterpene skeleton are C-3 (hydroxyl/oxo group), C-28 (hydroxyl/carboxyl group), and C-30 (allylic group) or the extension of the main scaffold by fusing various heterocycles with the A-ring of the phytocompound. In addition, numerous derivatives also contain linker moieties that connect the triterpenic scaffold with heterocycles; one such linker, the triazole moiety, stands out as a key pharmacophore for its biological effect. All these studies support the hypothesis that triterpenoid conjugates with heterocyclic moieties may represent promising candidates for future clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriela Nistor
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Eftimie Murgu Square No. 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
- Research Centre for Pharmaco-Toxicological Evaluation, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Eftimie Murgu Sq., No. 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Cristina Trandafirescu
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Eftimie Murgu Square No. 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
- Research Centre for Pharmaco-Toxicological Evaluation, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Eftimie Murgu Sq., No. 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Alexandra Prodea
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Eftimie Murgu Square No. 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
- Research Centre for Pharmaco-Toxicological Evaluation, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Eftimie Murgu Sq., No. 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
- Correspondence: (A.P.); (A.M.); Tel.: +40-256-494-604 (A.P.)
| | - Andreea Milan
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Eftimie Murgu Square No. 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
- Research Centre for Pharmaco-Toxicological Evaluation, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Eftimie Murgu Sq., No. 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
- Correspondence: (A.P.); (A.M.); Tel.: +40-256-494-604 (A.P.)
| | - Andreea Cristea
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Eftimie Murgu Square No. 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
- Research Centre for Pharmaco-Toxicological Evaluation, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Eftimie Murgu Sq., No. 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Roxana Ghiulai
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Eftimie Murgu Square No. 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
- Research Centre for Pharmaco-Toxicological Evaluation, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Eftimie Murgu Sq., No. 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Roxana Racoviceanu
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Eftimie Murgu Square No. 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
- Research Centre for Pharmaco-Toxicological Evaluation, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Eftimie Murgu Sq., No. 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Alexandra Mioc
- Research Centre for Pharmaco-Toxicological Evaluation, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Eftimie Murgu Sq., No. 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology, Pathophysiology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Victor Babes University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 2nd Eftimie Murgu Sq., 300041 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Marius Mioc
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Eftimie Murgu Square No. 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
- Research Centre for Pharmaco-Toxicological Evaluation, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Eftimie Murgu Sq., No. 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Viviana Ivan
- Department of Internal Medicine II, Faculty of Medicine, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Eftimie Murgu Square No. 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Codruța Șoica
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Eftimie Murgu Square No. 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
- Research Centre for Pharmaco-Toxicological Evaluation, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Eftimie Murgu Sq., No. 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
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Design and synthesis of NAD(P)H: Quinone oxidoreductase (NQO1)-activated prodrugs of 23-hydroxybetulinic acid with enhanced antitumor properties. Eur J Med Chem 2022; 240:114575. [PMID: 35803175 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2022.114575] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2022] [Revised: 06/24/2022] [Accepted: 06/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
A series of NQO1 selectively activated prodrugs were designed and synthesized by introducing indolequinone moiety to the C-3, C-23 or C-28 position of 23-hydroxybetulinic acid (23-HBA) and its analogues. Among them, the representative compound 32j exhibited significant antiproliferative activities against NQO1-overexpressing HT-29 cells and A549 cells, with IC50 values of 1.87 and 2.36 μM, respectively, which were 20-30-fold more potent than those of parent compound 23-HBA. More importantly, it was demonstrated in the in vivo antitumor experiment that 32j effectively suppressed the tumor volume and largely reduced tumor weight by 72.69% with no apparent toxicity, which was more potent than the positive control 5-fluorouracil. This is the first breakthrough in the improvement of in vivo antitumor activities of 23-HBA derivatives. The further molecular mechanism study revealed that 32j blocked cell cycle arrest at G2/M phase, induced cell apoptosis, depolarized mitochondria and elevated the intracellular ROS levels in a dose-dependent manner. Western blot analysis indicated that 32j induced cell apoptosis by interfering with the expression of apoptosis-related proteins. These findings suggest that compound 32j could be considered as a potent antitumor prodrug candidate which deserves to be further investigated for personalized cancer therapy.
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Erdagi SI, Yildiz U. Synthesis, Structural Analysis and Antiproliferative Activity of Nitrogen‐Containing Hetero Spirostan Derivatives: Oximes, Heterocyclic Ring‐Fused and Furostanes. ChemistrySelect 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/slct.202200439] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Sevinc Ilkar Erdagi
- Department of Chemistry Kocaeli University Umuttepe campus 41380 Kocaeli Turkey
| | - Ufuk Yildiz
- Department of Chemistry Kocaeli University Umuttepe campus 41380 Kocaeli Turkey
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Synthesis, biological evaluation and mechanism studies of C-3 substituted nitrogenous heterocyclic 23-Hydroxybetulinic acid derivatives as anticancer agents. Fitoterapia 2022; 160:105222. [PMID: 35618147 DOI: 10.1016/j.fitote.2022.105222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2022] [Revised: 05/12/2022] [Accepted: 05/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
A series of novel nitrogenous heterocycle substituted 23-Hydroxybetulinic acid (23-HBA) derivatives with amide linkages at the C-3 position were designed, synthesized and evaluated for their antitumor activities. The biological screening results showed that most of the derivatives exhibited more potent antiproliferative activities than 23-HBA. In particular compound II-9 exhibited the most potent activities with IC50 values ranging from 1.96 μM to 6.20 μM against five cancer cell lines (B16, HepG2, A2780, MCF-7 and A549). The preliminary mechanism study showed that compound II-9 caused cell cycle arrest at G1 phase, induced cell apoptosis and depolarized mitochondria of B16 cells in a dose dependent manner. Moreover, western blot analysis indicated that compound II-9 down-regulated the expression of anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2, up-regulated the expression of pro-apoptotic protein Bad, and activated cytochrome C and caspase 3 to cause cell apoptosis. In summary, II-9 may serve as a promising lead for the development of new natural product-based antitumor agents and deserve further investigation.
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Bailly C. Acankoreagenin and acankoreosides, a family of lupane triterpenoids with anti-inflammatory properties: an overview. Ann N Y Acad Sci 2021; 1502:14-27. [PMID: 34145915 DOI: 10.1111/nyas.14623] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2021] [Revised: 05/12/2021] [Accepted: 05/21/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Acankoreagenin (ACK, also known as acankoreanogenin and HLEDA) and impressic acid are two lupane-type triterpenes that can be isolated from various Acanthopanax and Schefflera species. They efficiently block activation of the NF-κB signaling pathway and the release of proinflammatory cytokines and/or the action of inflammation mediators (HMGB1, iNOS, and NO). These effects are the basis for the antiviral and anticancer activities reported with these pentacyclic compounds or their various glycoside derivatives. More than 15 acankoreosides (Ack-A to -O, and -R) and a few other mono- and bidesmosidic saponins (acantrifoside A and acangraciliside S) derive from the ACK aglycone. Compounds like Ack-A and -B are remarkable anti-inflammatory agents, inhibiting cytokine release from activated macrophages. Despite their effectiveness, ACK and impressic acid are far much less known and studied than the structurally related compounds betulinic acid and 23-hydroxybetulinic acid (anemosapogenin). The structural differences (notably the R/S stereoisomerism of the 3-hydroxyl group) and functional similarities of these compounds are discussed. The complete series of acankoreosides is presented for the first time. These natural products deserve further attention as anti-inflammatory agents, and ACK is recommended as a template for the design of new anticancer and antiviral drugs.
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Teimouri MB, Yousefi S, Meydani A. One-pot three-component synthesis of a new series of tetrahydrobenzofuran-chromone conjugates. SYNTHETIC COMMUN 2021. [DOI: 10.1080/00397911.2021.1918169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Ali Meydani
- Faculty of Chemistry, Kharazmi University, Tehran, Iran
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Yadav S, Dash C. One-pot Tandem Heck alkynylation/cyclization reactions catalyzed by Bis(Pyrrolyl)pyridine based palladium pincer complexes. Tetrahedron 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tet.2020.131350] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
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Synthesis, biological evaluation and mechanism studies of C-23 modified 23-hydroxybetulinic acid derivatives as anticancer agents. Eur J Med Chem 2019; 182:111659. [PMID: 31491611 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2019.111659] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2019] [Revised: 08/21/2019] [Accepted: 08/28/2019] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
A series of C-23 modified 23-hydroxybetulinic acid (HBA) derivatives were synthesized and evaluated for their antiproliferative activity against a panel of cancer cell lines (A2780, A375, B16, MCF-7 and HepG2). The biological screening results showed that most of the derivatives exhibited more potent antiproliferative activity than HBA, and compound 6e exhibited the most potent activity with IC50 values of 2.14 μM, 2.89 μM, and 3.97 μM against A2780, B16, and MCF-7 cells, respectively. Further anticancer mechanism studies revealed that compound 6e induced the generation of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reduction of mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) of B16 cells in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, western blot analysis indicated that compound 6e downregulated the expression of anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2 and upregulated the expression of proapoptotic protein Bax, activation of caspase 3 to induce cell apoptosis. Meanwhile, compound 6e significantly inhibited the phosphorylation of MEK, ERK, and Akt without affecting the expression of MEK, ERK, and Akt. Furthermore, the in vivo anti-tumor activity of 6e was validated (tumor inhibitory ratio of 68.4% at the dose of 30 mg/kg) in mice with B16 melanoma.
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Sousa JLC, Freire CSR, Silvestre AJD, Silva AMS. Recent Developments in the Functionalization of Betulinic Acid and Its Natural Analogues: A Route to New Bioactive Compounds. Molecules 2019; 24:molecules24020355. [PMID: 30669472 PMCID: PMC6359067 DOI: 10.3390/molecules24020355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2018] [Revised: 01/15/2019] [Accepted: 01/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Betulinic acid (BA) and its natural analogues betulin (BN), betulonic (BoA), and 23-hydroxybetulinic (HBA) acids are lupane-type pentacyclic triterpenoids. They are present in many plants and display important biological activities. This review focuses on the chemical transformations used to functionalize BA/BN/BoA/HBA in order to obtain new derivatives with improved biological activity, covering the period since 2013 to 2018. It is divided by the main chemical transformations reported in the literature, including amination, esterification, alkylation, sulfonation, copper(I)-catalyzed alkyne-azide cycloaddition, palladium-catalyzed cross-coupling, hydroxylation, and aldol condensation reactions. In addition, the synthesis of heterocycle-fused BA/HBA derivatives and polymer‒BA conjugates are also addressed. The new derivatives are mainly used as antitumor agents, but there are other biological applications such as antimalarial activity, drug delivery, bioimaging, among others.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joana L C Sousa
- QOPNA & LAQV-REQUIMTE, Department of Chemistry, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal.
- CICECO, Department of Chemistry, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal.
| | - Carmen S R Freire
- CICECO, Department of Chemistry, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal.
| | | | - Artur M S Silva
- QOPNA & LAQV-REQUIMTE, Department of Chemistry, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal.
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Zhang L, Chen S, Wang B, Su Y, Li S, Liu G, Zhang X. An eight‐long noncoding RNA expression signature for colorectal cancer patients’ prognosis. J Cell Biochem 2018; 120:5636-5643. [DOI: 10.1002/jcb.27847] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2018] [Accepted: 09/17/2018] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Lin Zhang
- Department of Anal and Intestinal Surgery Tianjin Union Medical Center Tianjin China
| | - Shuo Chen
- Department of Anal and Intestinal Surgery Tianjin Union Medical Center Tianjin China
| | - Boxue Wang
- Department of Anal and Intestinal Surgery Tianjin Union Medical Center Tianjin China
| | - Yinan Su
- Department of Anal and Intestinal Surgery Tianjin Union Medical Center Tianjin China
| | - Shuyuan Li
- Department of Anal and Intestinal Surgery Tianjin Union Medical Center Tianjin China
| | - Guisheng Liu
- Department of Anal and Intestinal Surgery Tianjin Union Medical Center Tianjin China
| | - Xipeng Zhang
- Department of Anal and Intestinal Surgery Tianjin Union Medical Center Tianjin China
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Simultaneous determination of eight bioactive compounds by LC-MS/MS and its application to the pharmacokinetics, liver first-pass effect, liver and brain distribution of orally administrated Gouteng-Baitouweng (GB) in rats. J Chromatogr B Analyt Technol Biomed Life Sci 2018; 1084:122-131. [PMID: 29597038 DOI: 10.1016/j.jchromb.2018.03.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2017] [Revised: 02/09/2018] [Accepted: 03/09/2018] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
Only focusing on the circulating levels is insufficient for the comprehensive understanding of the physiological disposition of herbal medicine in vivo. Therefore, we conducted the comprehensive investigation on the in vivo dynamic process of orally administrated Gouteng-Baitouweng (GB), a classical herb pair with anti-Parkinson potentials. Serving as the technical base, a sensitive and selective liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method was established and validated in the plasma, liver and brain, for simultaneous determination of five alkaloids (rhynchophylline, isorhynchophylline, corynoxeine, isocorynoxeine and geissoschizine methyl ether) and three saponins (anemoside B4, anemoside A3 and 23-hydroxybetulinic acid). Following liquid-liquid extraction, favorable chromatographic behaviors of eight analytes were obtained on Waters Xbrigde C18 column within 13 min. This method elicited good linearity for the analytes at the concentration range of 0.3-1000 or 1.8-6000 ng/mL with favorable precision, accuracy and stability. Following oral administration of GB (25 g/kg) in rats, this method was applied to the quantitative analysis in the portal vein plasma, liver, systemic plasma, and brain. Consequently, anemoside B4 was of the highest exposure, followed by 23-hydroxybetulinic acid, anemoside A3, rhynchophylline and isocorynoxeine in vivo. Notably, three saponins were all observed with certain exposure in the brain, along with rhynchophylline at low levels. Besides, five alkaloids and 23-hydroxybetulinic acid underwent serious liver first-pass effect. Hence, the pharmacokinetics, liver first-pass effect, liver and brain distribution of ingredients in GB were clarified, which laid a solid foundation for interpreting its efficacy and safety.
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Guo X, Xie Y, Lian S, Li Z, Gao Y, Xu Z, Hu P, Chen M, Sun Z, Tian X, Huang C. A sensitive HPLC-MS/MS method for the simultaneous determination of anemoside B4, anemoside A3 and 23-hydroxybetulinic acid: Application to the pharmacokinetics and liver distribution of Pulsatilla chinensis saponins. Biomed Chromatogr 2017; 32. [PMID: 29078255 DOI: 10.1002/bmc.4124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2017] [Revised: 10/05/2017] [Accepted: 10/17/2017] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Pulsatilla chinensis saponins, the major active components in the herb, have drawn great attention as potential hepatitis B virus infection and hepatoma treatments. Here, a sensitive and accurate HPLC-MS/MS method was established for simultaneous determination of three saponins - anemoside B4, anemoside A3 and 23-hydroxybetulinic acid - in rat plasma and liver, and fully validated. The method was successfully applied to a pharmacokinetics and liver distribution study of P. chinensis saponins. Consequently, 23-hydroxybetulinic acid, with an extremely low content in the P. chinensis saponins, exhibited the highest exposure in the liver and in sites before and after hepatic disposition, namely, in the portal vein plasma and systemic plasma, followed by anemoside B4, which showed the highest content in the herb, whereas anemoside A3 displayed quite limited exposure. The hepatic first-pass effects were 71% for 23-hydroxybetulinic acid, 27% for anemoside B4 and 37% for anemoside A3, corresponding to their different extents of liver distribution. To our knowledge, this is the first investigation on the liver first-pass effect and distribution of P. chinensis saponins to date. These results also provide valuable information for the understanding of the pharmacological effect of P. chinensis saponins on liver diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaozhen Guo
- Shanghai Institute of Material Medica, Chinese Academy of Science, Shanghai, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Science, Beijing, China
| | - Yang Xie
- Shanghai Institute of Material Medica, Chinese Academy of Science, Shanghai, China.,Harbin University of Commerce, Harbin, China
| | - Shan Lian
- Shanghai Institute of Material Medica, Chinese Academy of Science, Shanghai, China.,Harbin University of Commerce, Harbin, China
| | - Zhixiong Li
- Shanghai Institute of Material Medica, Chinese Academy of Science, Shanghai, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Science, Beijing, China
| | - Yu Gao
- Shanghai Institute of Material Medica, Chinese Academy of Science, Shanghai, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Science, Beijing, China
| | - Zhou Xu
- Shanghai Institute of Material Medica, Chinese Academy of Science, Shanghai, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Science, Beijing, China
| | - Pei Hu
- Shanghai Institute of Material Medica, Chinese Academy of Science, Shanghai, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Science, Beijing, China
| | - Mingcang Chen
- Shanghai Institute of Material Medica, Chinese Academy of Science, Shanghai, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Science, Beijing, China
| | - Zhaolin Sun
- Shanghai Institute of Material Medica, Chinese Academy of Science, Shanghai, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Science, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaoting Tian
- Shanghai Institute of Material Medica, Chinese Academy of Science, Shanghai, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Science, Beijing, China
| | - Chenggang Huang
- Shanghai Institute of Material Medica, Chinese Academy of Science, Shanghai, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Science, Beijing, China
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Jonnalagadda S, Suman P, Morgan D, Seay J. Recent Developments on the Synthesis and Applications of Betulin and Betulinic Acid Derivatives as Therapeutic Agents. STUDIES IN NATURAL PRODUCTS CHEMISTRY 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-444-63930-1.00002-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
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Yao N, Li YJ, Lei YH, Hu N, Chen WM, Yao Z, Yu M, Liu JS, Ye WC, Zhang DM. A piperazidine derivative of 23-hydroxy betulinic acid induces a mitochondria-derived ROS burst to trigger apoptotic cell death in hepatocellular carcinoma cells. J Exp Clin Cancer Res 2016; 35:192. [PMID: 27931237 PMCID: PMC5146873 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-016-0457-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2016] [Accepted: 11/10/2016] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Elevated production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and an altered redox state have frequently been observed in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC); therefore, selective killing of HCC cells by chemotherapeutic agents that stimulate ROS generation or impair antioxidant systems may be a feasible approach in HCC chemotherapy. Recently, betulinic acid and its derivatives have attracted attention because they showed anti-cancer effects via a ROS- and mitochondria-related mechanism. However, the source of ROS overproduction and the role of mitochondria were poorly identified, and the weak in vivo antitumour activity of these compounds limits their development as drugs. METHODS Cytotoxicity was detected using MTT assays. In vivo anti-HCC effects were assessed using nude mice bearing HepG2 tumour xenografts. Cell cycle analysis, apoptosis rate and mitochondrial membrane potential were measured by flow cytometry. ROS production was detected using a microplate reader or a fluorescence microscope. Changes in gene and protein levels were measured by RT-PCR and western blotting, respectively. Other assays were performed using related detection kits. RESULTS B5G9, a piperazidine derivative of 23-hydroxy betulinic acid (23-HBA), showed excellent in vivo anti-HCC effects, with a tumour growth inhibitory rate of greater than 80%, and no significant side effects. B5G9 stimulated the production of ROS, which were derived from the mitochondria, but it had no effect on various other antioxidant systems. Moreover, B5G9 induced mitochondrial dysfunction, which was characterized by morphological changes, membrane potential collapse, membrane permeabilization, and decreases in the O2 consumption rate and ATP production. Furthermore, mtDNA-depleted ρ0 HepG2 cells were less sensitive to B5G9 treatment than wt HepG2 cells, indicating the importance of mitochondria in B5G9-induced cell death. CONCLUSION We discovered a piperazidine derivative of 23-HBA, B5G9, with excellent anti-HCC effects both in vivo and in vitro and no obvious toxic effects. The underlying mechanism was associated with mitochondria-derived ROS overproduction, and mitochondria played essential roles in B5G9-induced cell death. This study identified a potential agent for anti-HCC therapy and elucidated the mitochondria-related mechanism of BA and its derivatives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nan Yao
- College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, No.601 West Huangpu Avenue, Guangzhou, 510632 China
| | - Ying-jie Li
- College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, No.601 West Huangpu Avenue, Guangzhou, 510632 China
| | - Yu-he Lei
- College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, No.601 West Huangpu Avenue, Guangzhou, 510632 China
| | - Nan Hu
- College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, No.601 West Huangpu Avenue, Guangzhou, 510632 China
| | - Wei-Min Chen
- College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, No.601 West Huangpu Avenue, Guangzhou, 510632 China
| | - Zhe Yao
- College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, No.601 West Huangpu Avenue, Guangzhou, 510632 China
| | - Miao Yu
- College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, No.601 West Huangpu Avenue, Guangzhou, 510632 China
| | - Jun-shan Liu
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515 China
| | - Wen-cai Ye
- College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, No.601 West Huangpu Avenue, Guangzhou, 510632 China
| | - Dong-mei Zhang
- College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, No.601 West Huangpu Avenue, Guangzhou, 510632 China
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Grishko VV, Tolmacheva IA, Nebogatikov VO, Galaiko NV, Nazarov AV, Dmitriev MV, Ivshina IB. Preparation of novel ring-A fused azole derivatives of betulin and evaluation of their cytotoxicity. Eur J Med Chem 2016; 125:629-639. [PMID: 27721148 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2016.09.065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2016] [Revised: 09/19/2016] [Accepted: 09/20/2016] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
An efficient scheme to synthesize novel ring-A fused heterocyclic derivatives of betulin was developed. The starting reaction of this synthesis was one-pot selective bacterial oxidation of betulin to betulone used as the key compound to synthesize the substituted azoles such as C(2)-C(3)-fused 1,2,3-triazoles, oxazoles and 1,2,4-triazine, as well as C(1)-C(2)-fused isoxazoles. The semi-synthetic compounds were screened for their cytotoxic activity against human cancer cell lines A549, HCT 116, HEp-2, MS and RD TE32 with use of the photometric MTT assays. Among the tested compounds, N-acetyltriazole of betulin (10) displayed impressive cytotoxic activity with IC50 2.3-7.5 μM against HCT 116, HEp-2, MS and RD TE32 cell lines as well as 3-methyl-4-oxido-1,2,4-triazine-derivative of betulonic acid (12) that was active against HCT 116 and HEp-2 cell lines with IC50 1.4 and 1.5 μM, respectively. Comparative experiments showed triazole (10) to have a lower cytotoxicity to normal epithelial cells, in comparison with compound (12). In accord with the in vivo acute toxicity test, the LD50 of triazole (10) exceeded 600 mg/kg. The ability of the most potent active triazole (10) to trigger apoptotic cell death was explored in the Annexin V-FITC test and by analyzing of caspase activity and morphological alterations in mitochondria and nuclei of HCT 116 cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victoria V Grishko
- Institute of Technical Chemistry of Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Acad. Korolev St. 3, 614013 Perm, Russia.
| | - Irina A Tolmacheva
- Institute of Technical Chemistry of Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Acad. Korolev St. 3, 614013 Perm, Russia
| | - Vladimir O Nebogatikov
- Institute of Technical Chemistry of Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Acad. Korolev St. 3, 614013 Perm, Russia
| | - Natalia V Galaiko
- Institute of Technical Chemistry of Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Acad. Korolev St. 3, 614013 Perm, Russia
| | - Alexei V Nazarov
- Institute of Technical Chemistry of Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Acad. Korolev St. 3, 614013 Perm, Russia
| | - Maxim V Dmitriev
- Perm State National Research University, Bukirev St. 15, 614990 Perm, Russia
| | - Irena B Ivshina
- Perm State National Research University, Bukirev St. 15, 614990 Perm, Russia; Institute of Ecology and Genetics of Microorganisms, Russian Academy of Sciences, Golev St. 13, 614081 Perm, Russia
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