4,4',6-TRIMETHYLANGELICIN, A NEW VERY PHOTOREACTIVE AND NON SKIN-PHOTOTOXIC MONOFUNCTIONAL FUROCOUMARIN

Insights into metabolic and pharmacological profiling of Aspergillus ficuum through bioinformatics and experimental techniques

BACKGROUND

Recently, numerous novel bioactive fungal metabolites have been identified that possess broad therapeutic activities including anti-inflammatory, antibiotic, antioxidant, and antitumor. The fungal mycochemicals as well as extracts have increased the interest of the scientific community in drug discovery research through a combination approach such as, molecular metabolic, pharmacological and computational techniques. Therefore, the natural fungus Aspergillus ficuum (A. ficuum) (FCBP-DNA-1266) was selected for metabolic and pharmacological profiling in this study.

RESULTS

The metabolic profile of A. ficuum was explored for the first time and revealed the presence of bioactive compounds such as choline sulfate, noruron, hydroxyvittatine, aurasperone D, cetrimonium, kurilensoside, heneicosane, nonadecane and eicosane. Similarly, a pharmacological screen of A. ficuum was performed for the first time in in vivo and in vitro models. Interestingly, both the ethyl acetate and n-hexane fractions of A. ficuum were found to be more active against Bacillus subtilis among five tested bacteria with their zone of inhibition (ZOI) values of 21.00 mm ±1.00 and 23.00 mm ±1.00, at a concentration of 150 μgmL^-1 respectively. Similarly, a significant decrease (P<0.001) and (P<0.01) in paw edema was observed in A. ficuum-treated animals at doses of 50 and 150 mgkg^-1, respectively, reflecting its potent anti-inflammatory effect. Furthermore, the docking results supported the antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects of A. ficuum. In addition, the crude extract demonstrated no acute toxicity and the highest percent radical scavenging was recorded for both n-hexane and ethyl acetate extracts.

CONCLUSION

The metabolic profile of A. ficuum indicated the presence of biological relevant compounds. A. ficuum extract exhibited potent antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects supported by docking results. Furthermore, A. ficuum extract demonstrated the highest percentage of radical scavenging activity along with no acute toxicity.

Disposition of 4,6,4'-trimethylangelicin in mice maintained in the dark and after UVA irradiation

The disposition of the furocoumarin 4,6,4'-trimethylangelicin (4,6,4'-TMA) was studied in mice. After oral administration of (3)H 4,6,4'-TMA, radioactivity measured in serum shows fast absorption and slow elimination. Serum protein binding is higher as compared to 8-methoxypsoralen (8-MOP), currently used in photochemotherapy (PUVA) and linearly declines from 30 min to 6 h after administration. Distribution in the various organs was similar to that of 8-MOP and was relatively uninfluenced by UVA radiation, required for the biological effects of 4,6,4'-TMA. Mice eliminate (3)H 4,6,4'-TMA mostly through the urine, but also through the faeces. Two metabolites were identified in the urine and serum of the treated mice, one of which proved to be a derivative of 4,6,4'-TMA, formed by hydrogenation of the double 4',5' bond of the furocoumarin nucleus.

6,4,4'-Trimethylangelicin photoadduct immunodetection in DNA: induction and repair in Fanconi's anemia and normal human fibroblasts

6,4,4'-Trimethylangelicin (TMA)-photoinduced monoadducts (MAs) were detected and quantified on DNA of normal human and Fanconi's anemia (FA) fibroblasts (complementation groups A and D) by immuno-electron microscopy. TMA-modified DNA was extracted from the cells just after photoreaction, or after a subsequent 24 h repair period, for analysis of the MA processing capabilities of the different cell lines. Unmodified DNA was extracted from the control cells in parallel. The immunoreaction with antibody 7E3 was performed on single-stranded DNA fragments obtained by heat-formamide denaturation. On single-stranded DNA fragments scanned in the electron microscope, IgG-labeled MA sites appeared as isolated or clustered IgG molecules, which were not homogeneously distributed. The isolated IgG and the different clusters (doublets, triplets or near-neighbors (within a distance of 250 nucleotides)) were measured separately for induction frequency and removal. Few interstrand cross-links (CLs) were present on X-shape DNA fragments. At time zero, the distribution patterns of TMA-photoinduced IgG-labeled MA sites and CLs, and their amount per 10(6) nucleotides, were similar in the three cell lines. After the 24 h repair period, FA cells from two different genetic complementation groups demonstrated impaired incision-excision repair capabilities for both MAs (singlets or clusters) and CLs when compared with normal cells. In each cell line, the relative proportions of TMA-induced lesions remaining at time 24 h were similar to those initially induced. This implies analogous processing kinetics towards the TMA-photoinduced clusters of MAs and CLs in a given cell line.

Photoinduction of micronuclei by 4,4',6-trimethylangelicin and 8-methoxypsoralen in different experimental models

The frequencies of micronuclei induced by treatment with 4,4',6-trimethylangelicin (TMA) and 8-methoxypsoralen (8-MOP) have been compared in the following experimental models: (1) peripheral normochromatic erythrocytes (NCE) during 10 days after single p.o. administration of TMA or 8-MOP in male and female mice; (2) peripheral NCE during photocarcinogenesis by TMA or 8-MOP topically administered to female mice; (3) primary cultures of human skin fibroblasts treated with TMA or 8-MOP. The frequency of micronuclei in peripheral NCE of mice (both sexes) was significantly enhanced after p.o. administration of TMA or 8-MOP. This latter was more active than TMA in inducing chromosomal damage. No increased frequencies of micronuclei in peripheral NCE were detected in mice subjected to TMA or 8-MOP photocarcinogenic treatment, even when malignancies developed. In human fibroblast cultures, at equimolar concentrations, the induction of lethal effects by TMA in the presence of 365-nm radiation was higher than that exerted by 8-MOP. At equal survival, however, TMA showed practically the same activity as 8-MOP in the induction of micronuclei. Our findings provide evidence of genotoxicity by TMA administered p.o. without irradiation and give further information about photogenotoxicity of these substances.

4,6,4'-Trimethylangelicin induces interstrand cross-links in mammalian cell DNA

4,6,4'-Trimethylangelicin, a well-known effective photosensitizer described as a pure monofunctional reactant with DNA, can induce interstrand cross-links in mammalian cell DNA in vivo (about 15% relative to 8-methoxypsoralen), as observed using alkaline elution and Chinese hamster ovary cells. Experiments performed using the two-step irradiation method and HeLa cells support these data. In contrast with 4,6,4'-trimethylangelicin, 4'-methylangelicin and 4,4'-dimethylangelicin do not form interstrand cross-links. These results are consistent with those recently reported by Chen et al. (X. Chen, J. Kagan, F. Dall'Acqua, D. Averbeck and E. Bisagni, J. Photochem. Photobiol. B: Biol, 22 (1994) 51-57) using pBR322 and M13 DNA. The cross-linking ability of 4,6,4'-trimethylangelicin does not seem to be related to a particular feature of these DNAs but to the compound itself.

Induction of the genes RAD54 and RNR2 by various DNA damaging agents in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

The relationship between the induction of the genes RAD54 and RNR2 and the induction and repair of specific DNA lesions was studied in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae using Rad54-lacZ and RNR2-lacZ fusion strains. Gene induction was followed by measuring beta-galactosidase activity. At comparable levels of furocoumarin-DNA photoadducts, RAD54 was more effectively induced by bifunctional than by monofunctional furocoumarins indicating that mixtures of monoadducts (MA) and interstrand cross-links (CL) provide a stronger inducing signal than MA. RNR2 induction kinetics were measured in relation to cell growth and survival responses after treatment with the furocoumarins 8-methoxypsoralen (8-MOP), 5-methoxypsoralen (5-MOP), 3-carbethoxypsoralen (3-CPs), 7-methyl-pyrido[3,4-c]psoralen (MePyPs) and 4,4',6-trimethylangelicin (TMA), benzo[a]pyrene (B(a)P and 1,6-dioxapyrene (1,6-DP) plus UVA, 254 nm UV radiation and cobalt-60 gamma-radiation. Induction of RNR2 took place during the DNA repair period before resumption of cell growth and clearly increased with increasing equitoxic dose levels. Treatments with furocoumarin plus 365 nm radiation (UVA) and 254 nm (UV) radiation were effective inducers whereas gene induction was relatively weak after gamma-radiation and absent after the induction of oxidative damage by B(a)P and 1,6-DP and UVA. The results suggest that it is the specific processing of different DNA lesions that determines the potency of the induction signal. Apparently, DNA lesions such as CL, and probably also closely located MA or pyrimidine dimers in opposite DNA strands involving the formation of double-strand breaks as repair intermediates, are most effective inducers.

Quantitative assessment of epidermal melanogenesis in C3H/Tif hr/hr mice treated with topical furocoumarins and UVA radiation

We report quantitative data on epidermal melanogenesis by established and new furocoumarins. The ears and dorsal skin of pigmented hairless mice were treated for 12 d with compounds in ethanol, at equi-optical concentrations, and exposed to subphototoxic doses of ultraviolet A. Increased pigmentation was observed with 6,4,4'-trimethylangelicin > psoralen > 8-methoxypsoralen > 5-methoxypsoralen > 4,4',5'-trimethylazapsoralen = bergamot oil. Assessment of melanocyte numbers and morphology in epidermal sheet dihydroxyphenylalanine preparations showed that 6,4,4'-trimethylangelicin was the best compound with 536 ear melanocytes/mm2 +/- 15 SEM compared with 46 +/- 4 in controls. Psoralen induced 297/mm2 +/- 33, compared with its methoxy derivatives with ranges between 200 and 240/mm2.6,4,4'-trimethylangelicin had a striking effect on dorsal skin with 462 +/- 18 melanocytes/mm2 compared to less than 80/mm2 in all other ultraviolet A treatment groups. Khellin, 5-GOP and ultraviolet A only and all non-ultraviolet A controls had no effect. Melanogenesis was associated with increased dendricity, melanocyte size, especially with 5-methoxypsoralen, and giant melanocytes were noted with some treatments. The potency of 6,4,4'-trimethylangelicin, which does not form DNA interstrand crosslinks, may be related to its high DNA binding constant. Our data may be useful in the selection of compounds to treat vitiligo.

Photosensitized cross-linking and cleavage of pBR322 and M13 DNA: comparison of 4,4',6-trimethylangelicin and 3-carbethoxypsoralen

The furocourmarins 3-carbethoxypsoralen (3-CP) and 4,4',6-trimethylangelicin (TMA) were generally believed to be incapable of cross-linking DNA upon irradiation with ultraviolet light. Denaturation of photosensitized pBR322 DNA, either supercoiled or previously linearized with a restriction enzyme, proved that 3-CP was indeed monofunctional, but that TMA produced cross-links. Identical conclusions were reached with double stranded M13 DNA which had been linearized with EcoR 1. Both sensitizers also induced partial DNA cleavage. In contrast to 3-CP, photosensitization with TMA made the DNA resistant to enzymatic cleavage.

Furocoumarin sensitization induces DNA-protein cross-links

The capacity of some linear and angular furocoumarins to induce DNA-protein cross-links by UVA (320-400 nm) irradiation has been evaluated in Chinese hamster ovary cells. Two linear furocoumarins, psoralen and 8-methoxypsoralen appeared to be capable of inducing DNA-protein cross-links to a noticeable extent. 4'-Methylangelicin and 4,4'-dimethylangelicin formed only reduced amounts of DNA-protein cross-links, while angelicin and 4,6,4'-trimethylangelicin seemed to be unable to induce significant levels of this lesion. The biological significance of this damage remains to be elucidated, but it might have an important role in furocoumarin sensitization. In the examined compounds, the capacity for inducing DNA-protein cross-links appears to be a property of the skin phototoxic furocoumarins. This result suggests the hypothesis of a connection between this damage and the formation of skin erythemas.

New aspects of the repair and genotoxicity of psoralen photoinduced lesions in DNA

Several approaches are described aiming at a better understanding of the genotoxicity of psoralen photoinduced lesions in DNA. Psoralens can photoinduce different types of photolesions including 3,4- and 4',5'-monoadducts and interstrand cross-links, oxidative damage (in the case of 3-carbethoxypsoralen (3-CPs)) and even pyrimidine dimers (in the case of 7-methylpyrido(3,4-c)psoralen (MePyPs)). The characterization and detection of different types of lesions has been essential for the analysis of their possible contributions to genotoxicity. For example, oxidative damage photoinduced by 3-CPs can be detected by the formamidopyrimidine glycosylase (FPG) protein. Furthermore, it is shown how the presence of MePyPs induced monoadducts may interfere with the photoreactivation of concomitantly induced pyrimidine dimers, how the ratio of monoadducts and interstrand cross-links (CL) affects the occurrence of double-strand breaks during the repair of photolesions and genotoxicity. In vitro treatment of yeast plasmids, followed by transformation, also indicates that the repair of photoadducts on exogenous DNA differs for 8-methoxy-psoralen (8-MOP) induced mono- and diadducts and for monoadducts alone. The recombinational rad52 dependent pathway is not needed for the repair of 8-MOP induced monoadducts. The results obtained suggest that the genotoxic effects of psoralens are conditioned by the nature, number, ratio and sequence distribution of the photolesions induced in DNA.

Biological properties of some benzopsoralen derivatives

The biological activity of some benzopsoralen derivatives, prepared with the aim of obtaining new drugs for photochemotherapy, has been studied. The more interesting compounds are 4-hydroxymethyl-4',5'-benzopsoralen and 4-hydroxymethyl-4',5'-tetrahydro-benzopsoralen, which were found to be active in the dark also: DNA and RNA synthesis were both inhibited in Ehrlich cells, even if in a partially reversible fashion, while protein synthesis remained unaffected. In Chinese hamster ovary cells cultured in vitro, the clonal growth was strongly inhibited by incubation in the dark with both drugs, while a number of chromosomal aberrations was observed in the fraction of growing cells. Using alkaline elution, DNA strand breaks were detected. In addition, in the presence of aphidicolin, a specific inhibitor of DNA polymerase, the clonal growing capacity was completely restored; in contrast, the number of DNA strand breaks remained unchanged. All these results suggest that DNA topoisomerases are probably the target of these two benzopsoralens. These compounds are also good sensitizers; by UV-A irradiation they have a good capacity to produce singlet oxygen, but they appeared to be unable to induce erythemas on guinea-pig skin. Under UV-A light, they induced a strong inhibition of DNA synthesis in Ehrlich cells. Thus, benzopsoralens appear to be capable of inducing strong antiproliferative effects by two different mechanisms, by UV-A irradiation and in the dark.

Angelicins, angular analogs of psoralens: chemistry, photochemical, photobiological and phototherapeutic properties

Angelicin and some of its derivatives are naturally occuring compounds which show interesting photobiological properties. In this review various aspects of angelicin and its derivatives have been reported. The natural occurrence and the chemical synthesis both of naturally occurring and synthetic angelicins have been reviewed. Photochemical and photophysical properties of angelicins have been considered with particular reference to the capacity to generate active forms of oxygen, photoreactions with nucleic acids, proteins and unsaturated fatty acids. Photobiological effects have been considered: skin phototoxicity, antiproliferative effects, genotoxicity, ability to induce hemolysis in erythrocytes, inactivation of prokaryotic and eukaryotic microorganism and of viruses. The ability of some angelicins to induce photocarcinogenesis has been reviewed as well as in the activity as photochemotherapeutic agents.

Mechanisms of photodynamic effects of furocoumarins

The photosensitizing action of furocoumarins on biological systems occurs by both an oxygen-independent pathway, which involves the photoaddition of the sensitizer to nucleic acids, proteins and lipids, and an oxygen-dependent pathway, which includes furocoumarins in the category of photodynamic sensitizers. The photodynamic action of furocoumarins, as studied using isolated biomolecules, human erythrocytes and human skin, appears to involve both activated oxygen species (singlet oxygen, superoxide anion, and hydroxyl radicals) and radical species formed by electron transfer from or to photoexcited furocoumarins. Another oxygen-dependent process involves the formation of photo-oxidized furocoumarin derivatives, which can react in the dark with several substrates (in particular, membrane components), causing an irreversible damage of cells. The latter type of process is temperature dependent. The relative importance of the different photosensitization mechanisms under various experimental conditions is discussed.

Photochemical and photobiological properties of 4,8-dimethyl-5'-acetylpsoralen

The photochemical and photobiological properties of 4,8-dimethyl-5'-acetylpsoralen (AcPso), proposed for the photochemotherapy of some skin diseases, were investigated. The photoreaction of AcPso with DNA is weaker in the presence of air than in a nitrogen atmosphere, in terms of total photobinding and DNA cross-linking; when UVA irradiation is performed in air, AcPso behaves as a monofunctional reagent. The quenching effect of oxygen is related to the high capacity of AcPso to produce singlet oxygen. Furthermore, it is demonstrated that AcPso photoadducts are better producers of singlet oxygen than free AcPso in solution. Using DNA sequencing methodology, two modes of DNA photosensitization by AcPso are shown, these lead to the formation of photoadducts mainly at T residues (and at C to a lesser extent) and to photo-oxidized G residues probably via singlet oxygen. Chemical or enzymatic cleavage were used as probes in these experiments. A rapid assay for the detection of the photodynamic effect of a photosensitizer on DNA, involving oxygen, is also described. Finally, the cytotoxicity and genotoxicity of AcPso on E. coli WP2 cells appear to be related to its ability to form photoadducts, in particular cross-links, rather than to its capacity to produce singlet oxygen.

Treatment of a case of mycosis fungoides and one of parapsoriasis en plaque with topical PUVA using a monofunctional furocoumarin derivative, 4,6,4'-trimethylangelicin

A case of plaque stage mycosis fungoides and one of parapsoriasis en plaque were treated with topical PUVA therapy using a monofunctional furocoumarin derivative, 4,6,4'-trimethylangelicin (TMA). Both patients showed complete clearance of eruptions within 16 treatments. The therapeutic effectiveness of TMA was confirmed by the fact that those eruptions exposed to UVA alone, without TMA application, showed slower and less significant improvement. Histologically, dermal infiltrates of mycosis cells and associated epidermotrophism disappeared almost completely in response to TMA PUVA. No side effects or changes in values in laboratory examinations were observed during treatment.

Repair of furocoumarin-plus-UVA-induced damage and mutagenic consequences in eukaryotic cells

In the presence of near-UV radiation (UVA) furocoumarins (psoralens) photoinduce defined lesions in DNA, i.e. monoadducts and interstrand crosslinks. Their use in photochemotherapy (psoralen plus UVA (PUVA) treatment) and cosmetics raises questions concerning the repairability of these lesions and their genotoxic consequences. We have analysed the repair of psoralen photoadducts in cultured eukaryotic cells, such as yeast and mammalian cells, for furocoumarins of photochemotherapeutic interest. In yeast, the interaction of repair pathways differs in exogenous (plasmid) and endogenous (chromosomal) DNA. The order of mutagenic activity is 4,5',8-trimethylpsoralen greater than 5-methoxypsoralen greater than 8-methoxypsoralen greater than 7-methylpyrido[3,4-c]psoralen greater than 3-carbethoxypsoralen. The mutagenicity is dependent on psoralen functionality, concentration and bioavailability, maximal UVA dose, wavelength, dose (fluence) rate and presence or absence of chemical filters. It probably involves an inducible component. Chromosome breakage occurs during the repair period after PUVA treatment. It appears that the genotoxic effects of psoralens are produced by a specific arrangement of induced photolesions and the interaction of different repair systems.

Synthesis and photobiological properties of acetylpsoralen derivatives

In an investigation to find monofunctional reactants for DNA which can act as new agents in the photochemotherapy of psoriasis, we have synthesized and studied some methylpsoralen derivatives which contain an acetyl group at one of the two reactive sites of the furocoumarin skeleton (at the 3 or 5' positions). The compounds do not react easily with DNA; their photobiological properties (e.g. the lack of an ability to inhibit DNA synthesis in Ehrlich ascites tumour cells, to induce T2 phage sensitization and to induce erythema in guinea-pig skin) are exactly in line with this behaviour. Some interesting features are shown by 4,8-dimethyl-5'-acetylpsoralen: it is capable of producing a very large amount of singlet oxygen--an order of magnitude higher than the other compounds and 8-methoxypsoralen (used as reference). In spite of this property, 4,8-dimethyl-5'-acetylpsoralen is non-phototoxic to the skin, and its other photobiological properties appear to be in line with its lack of interaction with DNA rather than its enhanced singlet oxygen production.

Photobiological effects in Saccharomyces cerevisiae induced by the monofunctional furocoumarin 4,4',6-trimethylangelicin (TMA) and the bifunctional furocoumarin 8-methoxypsoralen (8-MOP)

Recently, the monofunctional furocoumarin 4,4',6-trimethylangelicin (TMA) has been proposed for photochemotherapeutic use. In order to assess its genotoxic potential, the photobiological (genetic) effects of TMA were studied in a diploid strain of Saccharomyces cerevisiae (D7) and compared to those of the bifunctional furocoumarin 8-methoxypsoralen (8-MOP). At equimolar concentrations, the induction of lethal effects by TMA in the presence of equal 365-nm radiation was higher than that exerted by 8-MOP. TMA was also more active than 8-MOP in inducing nuclear events such as nuclear reverse mutation and mitotic recombination (crossing-overs and gene conversion) per unit dose of 365-nm radiation. At equal survival, however, TMA was less efficient in inducing reverse mutation and crossing-over, showing the same activity as 8-MOP in the induction of gene conversion. TMA was more active than 8-MOP in the induction of cytoplasmic 'petite' mutations per unit dose of 365-nm radiation and per viable cell. The high photobiological activity of this monofunctional furocoumarin is mainly related to its strong DNA photobinding but also to the type of monoaddition induced, to the sequential distribution in DNA and to the generation of active forms of oxygen.

The effect of photochemotherapy with 4,4',6 trimethylangelicin on murine cutaneous immune cells

The effect of photochemotherapy with 4,4',6 trimethylangelicin (TMA), a new monofunctional furocoumarin with a high antiproliferative activity, was studied on murine dendritic epidermal cells. Female mice (C3H/HeN[MTV-]) were treated topically with the drug three times a week for 4 consecutive weeks followed each time by 1 J/cm2 of UVA radiation. At the end of the treatment almost total depletion of ATPase+, Ia+ and Thy-1+ dendritic epidermal cells was observed, associated with marked hyperpigmentation but no gross or microscopic phototoxicity. Although 4,4',6 TMA is not phototoxic in mice, it affects the cutaneous immune cells.

Monofunctional angular furocoumarins: sequence specificity in DNA photobinding of 6,4,4'-trimethylangelicin and other angelicins

The sequence specificity in the photoreaction (365 nm) of 6,4,4'-trimethylangelicin (TMA) with DNA fragments of the lac I gene of Escherichia coli was studied by using DNA sequencing methodology. In order to map the sites of TMA photoaddition, we took advantage of the (3'-5') exonuclease activity associated with T4 DNA polymerase, which is blocked by bulky adducts, such as furocoumarin photoadducts. A quantitative analysis of the sites of photoaddition is reported. TMA was demonstrated to photoreact with thymine and, to a lower extent, to cytosine. AT-rich sequences and TTT sites in a GC context are the most reactive sites towards TMA whereas TA, AT, CA, AC sites are weaker sites with similar reactivity. Cytosines in alternated CG sequences are also targets of TMA photobinding. We observed a less pronounced sequence specificity of TMA than that of other psoralen derivatives already studied (Sage and Moustacchi, 1987; Boyer et al., 1988). A comparison with other furocoumarins 4,4'-dimethylangelicin (4,4'-DMA), 4'-methylangelicin (4'-MA), angelicin, 4,5',8-trimethylpsoralen (TMP) and 8-methoxypsoralen (8-MOP) is also reported. The role of flanking sequence and consequently of the local conformation at the various sites of photoaddition is discussed. A preferential orientation of the TMA molecule during the intercalation in the dark is suggested. Hot alkali treatment of TMA-modified DNA did not reveal any DNA strand breakage due to photooxidized bases.