Structural and pharmacological diversity of 1,4-naphthoquinone glycosides in recent 20 years

1,4-naphthoquinones are the most widespread naphthoquinone compounds. Recently, many 1,4-naphthoquinone glycosides with different structural features have been obtained from both nature and synthesis, which has led to an increasing variety of naphthoquinone glycosides. In this paper, the structure variety and biological activity in recent 20 years are reviewed, and classified them according to the source and structure characteristics. Meanwhile the synthetic methods of O-, S-, C- and N-naphthoquinone glycosides and their structure activity relationships are also described. It was referred that the presence of polar groups of C2 and C5 and non-polar groups attached to C3 on the naphthoquinone ring are beneficial for their biological activities. It will provide more comprehensive literature resources for the future research of 1, 4-naphthoquinone glycosides and lay a theoretical foundation.

Cytoprotective Effect of Echinochrome A in Primary Culture of Pulmonary Fibroblasts from Albino Rats under Conditions of Oxidative Stress

We studied the effect of echinochrome A on the primary culture of pulmonary fibroblasts under normal conditions and under oxidative stress. Exposure to echinochrome A (100 μM, 6 h) did not affect the production of superoxide radical by fibroblasts, area of their nuclei, and number of nucleoli, but reduced the total area of nucleolar organizer regions against the background of stable proliferative activity of the culture. Two-hour oxidative stress induced by hydrogen peroxide solution (60 μM) increased the generation of superoxide radical, decreased DNA-synthetic activity of fibroblasts, area of fibroblast nuclei, and total area of nucleolar organizer regions. Preliminary administration of echinochrome A significantly attenuated the damaging effect of oxidative stress: the intensity of production of superoxide radicals decreased, DNA-synthetic activity and nucleus area of fibroblasts partially recovered; normalization of the total area of nucleoli was accompanied by an increase in their number.

Synthesis and Evaluation of Antimicrobial and Cytotoxic Activity of Oxathiine-Fused Quinone-Thioglucoside Conjugates of Substituted 1,4-Naphthoquinones

A series of new tetracyclic oxathiine-fused quinone-thioglycoside conjugates based on biologically active 1,4-naphthoquinones and 1-mercapto derivatives of per-O-acetyl d-glucose, d-galactose, d-xylose, and l-arabinose have been synthesized, characterized, and evaluated for their cytotoxic and antimicrobial activities. Six tetracyclic conjugates bearing a hydroxyl group in naphthoquinone core showed high cytotoxic activity with EC50 values in the range of 0.3 to 0.9 μM for various types of cancer and normal cells and no hemolytic activity up to 25 μM. The antimicrobial activity of conjugates was screened against Gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus), Gram-negative bacteria (Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli), and fungus Candida albicans by the agar diffusion method. The most effective juglone conjugates with d-xylose or l-arabinose moiety and hydroxyl group at C-7 position of naphthoquinone core at concentration 10 µg/well showed antimicrobial activity comparable with antibiotics vancomicin and gentamicin against Gram-positive bacteria strains. In liquid media, juglone-arabinosidic tetracycles showed highest activity with MIC 6.25 µM. Thus, a positive effect of heterocyclization with mercaptosugars on cytotoxic and antimicrobial activity for group of 1,4-naphthoquinones was shown.

CD44 aptamer mediated cargo delivery to lysosomes of retinal pigment epithelial cells to prevent age-related macular degeneration

Age related macular degeneration (AMD) is a progressive, neurodegenerative disorder that leads to the severe loss of central vision in elderlies. The health of retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells is critical for the onset of AMD. Chronic oxidative stress along with loss of lysosomal activity is a major cause for RPE cell death during AMD. Hence, development of a molecule for targeted lysosomal delivery of therapeutic protein/drugs in RPE cells is important to prevent RPE cell death during AMD. Using human RPE cell line (ARPE-19 cells) as a study model, we confirmed that hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) induced oxidative stress results in CD44 cell surface receptor overexpression in RPE cells; hence, an important target for specific delivery to RPE cells during oxidative stress. We also demonstrate that the known nucleic acid CD44 aptamer - conjugated with a fluorescent probe (FITC) - is delivered into the lysosomes of CD44 expressing ARPE-19 cells. Hence, as a proof of concept, we demonstrate that CD44 aptamer may be used for lysosomal delivery of cargo to RPE cells under oxidative stress, similar to AMD condition. Since oxidative stress may induce wet and dry AMD, both, along with proliferative vitreoretinopathy, CD44 aptamer may be applicable as a carrier for targeted lysosomal delivery of therapeutic cargoes in ocular diseases showing oxidative stress in RPE cells.

Synthesis and Screening of Anti-HSV-1 Activity of Thioglucoside Derivatives of Natural Polyhydroxy-1,4-Naphthoquinones

Four 1,4-naphthoquinone dithioglucoside derivatives based on natural polyhydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinones were synthesized. These thioglucosides were screened for their antiradical and antiviral activity in vitro. Antiradical activity of tested compounds was determined by the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging assay. The anti-herpes simplex virus type 1 (anti-HSV-1) activity of thioglucosides was analyzed by the cytopathic effect inhibition assay and mode of antiviral action was determined by the addition of the tested compounds to uninfected cells, to the virus prior to infection, or to herpes-infected cells. Most effective inhibition of HSV-1 replication was observed at pretreatment of virus by the compounds (direct virucidal effect). The dithioglucoside conjugate with the single β-OH group and lipophilic ethyl substituent in naphthoquinone core showed the greatest antiviral activity.

Metabolic profiling study of shikonin's cytotoxic activity in the Huh7 human hepatoma cell line

Shikonin and its enantiomer alkannin, which are natural products, have been extensively studied in vitro and in vivo for, among others, their antitumor activity. The investigation of the molecular pathways involved in their action is of interest, since they are not yet clearly defined. Metabolic profiling in cells can provide a picture of a cell's phenotype upon intervention, assisting in the elucidation of the mechanism of action. In this study, the cytotoxic effect of shikonin on a human hepatocarcinoma cell line was studied. Huh7 cells were treated with shikonin at 5 μM, and it was found that shikonin markedly inhibited cell growth. Metabolic profiling indicated alterations in the metabolic content of the cells and the culture media upon treatment, detecting the metabolic response of the cells. This study demonstrates the potential of metabolomics to improve knowledge on the mechanisms involved in shikonin's antitumor action.

Synthesis and Comparative Evaluation of Polymethoxy Substituted 1,4-Naphthoquinones and their Acetyl-O-glucosides as Cytotoxic Agents

Twenty five hydroxy-, chloro- and methoxy derivatives of natural and synthetic naphthazarins and their acetylated O-glycosides were synthesized. Targeted compounds were screened as cytotoxic agents on mouse Ehrlich ascites carcinoma cells using MTT test. Chloro- and methoxy-substituted naphthoquinones as well as naphthoquinone O-acetylglucosides were the most potent with IC50 in low micromolar concentration range. Glucosidation of hydroxynaphthoquinones was shown to enhance cytotoxicity, whereas methoxylation yielded both more active and less active derivatives depending on the number and position of methoxy groups. Evaluation using a phenotypic sea urchin embryo assay suggested that naphthazarins exerted their cytotoxic effects through tubulin-unrelated mechanism.