1
|
Pan XW, Huang JS, Liu SR, Shao YD, Xi JJ, He RY, Shi TT, Zhuang RX, Bao JF. Evaluation of the liver targeting and anti‑liver cancer activity of artesunate‑loaded and glycyrrhetinic acid‑coated nanoparticles. Exp Ther Med 2023; 26:516. [PMID: 37854499 PMCID: PMC10580252 DOI: 10.3892/etm.2023.12215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2023] [Accepted: 08/24/2023] [Indexed: 10/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Globally, liver cancer ranks among the most lethal cancers, with chemotherapy being one of its primary treatments. However, poor selectivity, systemic toxicity, a narrow treatment window, low response rate and multidrug resistance limit its clinical application. Liver-targeted nanoparticles (NPs) exhibit excellent targeted delivery ability and promising effectivity in treating liver cancer. The present study aimed to investigate the liver-targeting and anti-liver cancer effect of artesunate (ART)-loaded and glycyrrhetinic acid (GA)-decorated polyethylene glycol (PEG)-poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) (ART/GA-PEG-PLGA) NPs. GA-coated NPs significantly increased hepatoma-targeted cellular uptake, with micropinocytosis and caveolae-mediated endocytosis as its chief internalization pathways. Moreover, ART/GA-PEG-PLGA NPs exhibited pro-apoptotic effects on HepG2 cells, mainly via the induction of a high level of reactive oxygen species, decline in mitochondrial membrane potential and induction of cell cycle arrest. Additionally, ART/GA-PEG-PLGA NPs induced internal apoptosis pathways by upregulating the activity of cleaved caspase-3/7 and expression of cleaved poly (ADP-Ribose)-polymerase and Phos-p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase in HepG2 cells. Furthermore, ART/GA-PEG-PLGA NPs exhibited higher liver accumulation and longer mean retention time, resulting in increased bioavailability. Finally, ART/GA-PEG-PLGA NPs promoted the liver-targeting distribution of ART, increased the retention time and promoted its antitumour effects in vivo. Therefore, ART/GA-PEG-PLGA NPs afforded excellent hepatoma-targeted delivery and anti-liver cancer efficacy, and thus, they may be a promising strategy for treating liver cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xu-Wang Pan
- Department of Pharmaceutical Preparation, Hangzhou Xixi Hospital, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310023, P.R. China
| | - Jin-Song Huang
- Department of Liver Disease, Hangzhou Xixi Hospital, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310023, P.R. China
| | - Shou-Rong Liu
- Department of Liver Disease, Hangzhou Xixi Hospital, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310023, P.R. China
| | - Yi-Dan Shao
- Department of Pharmaceutical Preparation, Hangzhou Xixi Hospital, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310023, P.R. China
| | - Jian-Jun Xi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Preparation, Hangzhou Xixi Hospital, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310023, P.R. China
| | - Ruo-Yu He
- Department of Pharmaceutical Preparation, Hangzhou Xixi Hospital, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310023, P.R. China
| | - Ting-Ting Shi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Preparation, Hangzhou Xixi Hospital, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310023, P.R. China
| | - Rang-Xiao Zhuang
- Department of Pharmaceutical Preparation, Hangzhou Xixi Hospital, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310023, P.R. China
| | - Jian-Feng Bao
- Department of Liver Disease, Hangzhou Xixi Hospital, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310023, P.R. China
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Nabi N, Singh S, Saffeullah P. An updated review on distribution, biosynthesis and pharmacological effects of artemisinin: A wonder drug. PHYTOCHEMISTRY 2023; 214:113798. [PMID: 37517615 DOI: 10.1016/j.phytochem.2023.113798] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2023] [Revised: 07/19/2023] [Accepted: 07/24/2023] [Indexed: 08/01/2023]
Abstract
Plant-based drugs have been used for centuries for treating different ailments. Malaria, one of the prevalent threats in many parts of the world, is treated mainly by artemisinin-based drugs derived from plants of genus Artemisia. However, the distribution of artemisinin is restricted to a few species of the genus; besides, its yield depends on ontogeny and the plant's geographical location. Here, we review the studies focusing on biosynthesis and distributional pattern of artemisinin production in species of the genus Artemisia. We also discussed various agronomic and in vitro methods and molecular approaches to increase the yield of artemisinin. We have summarized different mechanisms of artemisinin involved in its anti-malarial, anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory and anti-viral activities (like against Covid-19). Overall the current review provides a synopsis of a global view of the distribution of artemisinin, its biosynthesis, and pharmacological potential in treating various diseases like malaria, cancer, and coronavirus, which may provoke future research efforts in drug development. Nevertheless, long-term trials and molecular approaches, like CRISPR-Cas, are required for in-depth research.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Neelofer Nabi
- Department of Botany, University of Kashmir, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, 190006, India
| | - Seema Singh
- Department of Botany, University of Kashmir, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, 190006, India
| | - Peer Saffeullah
- Department of Botany, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi, 110062, India.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Niederreiter M, Klein J, Arndt K, Werner J, Mayer B. Anti-Cancer Effects of Artesunate in Human 3D Tumor Models of Different Complexity. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24097844. [PMID: 37175551 PMCID: PMC10178545 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24097844] [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: 04/06/2023] [Revised: 04/22/2023] [Accepted: 04/24/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The anti-malaria drug Artesunate (ART) shows strong anti-cancer effects in vitro; however, it shows only marginal treatment results in clinical cancer studies. In this study, ART was tested in preclinical 3D cancer models of increasing complexity using clinically relevant peak plasma concentrations to obtain further information for translation into clinical use. ART reduced cell viability in HCT-116 and HT-29 derived cancer spheroids (p < 0.001). HCT-116 spheroids responded dose-dependently, while HT-29 spheroids were affected more strongly by ART than by cytostatics (p < 0.001). HCT-116 spheroids were chemo-sensitized by ART (p < 0.001). In patient-derived cancer spheroids (PDCS), ART led to inhibition of cell viability in 84.62% of the 39 samples tested, with a mean inhibitory effect of 13.87%. Viability reduction of ART was 2-fold weaker than cytostatic monotherapies (p = 0.028). Meanwhile, tumor-stimulation of up to 16.30% was observed in six (15.38%) PDCS-models. In 15 PDCS samples, ART modulated chemotherapies in combined testing, eight of which showed chemo-stimulation (maximum of 36.90%) and seven chemo-inhibition (up to 16.95%). These results demonstrate that ART's anti-cancer efficacy depends on the complexity of the tumor model used. This emphasizes that cancer treatment with ART should be evaluated before treatment of the individual patient to ensure its benefits and prevent unwanted effects.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marlene Niederreiter
- Department of General, Visceral, and Transplant Surgery, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Marchioninistraße 15, 81377 Munich, Germany
| | - Julia Klein
- Department of General, Visceral, and Transplant Surgery, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Marchioninistraße 15, 81377 Munich, Germany
| | - Kerstin Arndt
- Department of General, Visceral, and Transplant Surgery, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Marchioninistraße 15, 81377 Munich, Germany
| | - Jens Werner
- Department of General, Visceral, and Transplant Surgery, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Marchioninistraße 15, 81377 Munich, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Munich, Pettenkoferstraße 8a, 80336 Munich, Germany
| | - Barbara Mayer
- Department of General, Visceral, and Transplant Surgery, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Marchioninistraße 15, 81377 Munich, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Munich, Pettenkoferstraße 8a, 80336 Munich, Germany
- SpheroTec GmbH, Am Klopferspitz 19, 82152 Martinsried, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Farmanpour-Kalalagh K, Beyraghdar Kashkooli A, Babaei A, Rezaei A, van der Krol AR. Artemisinins in Combating Viral Infections Like SARS-CoV-2, Inflammation and Cancers and Options to Meet Increased Global Demand. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2022; 13:780257. [PMID: 35197994 PMCID: PMC8859114 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2022.780257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2021] [Accepted: 01/03/2022] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Artemisinin is a natural bioactive sesquiterpene lactone containing an unusual endoperoxide 1, 2, 4-trioxane ring. It is derived from the herbal medicinal plant Artemisia annua and is best known for its use in treatment of malaria. However, recent studies also indicate the potential for artemisinin and related compounds, commonly referred to as artemisinins, in combating viral infections, inflammation and certain cancers. Moreover, the different potential modes of action of artemisinins make these compounds also potentially relevant to the challenges the world faces in the COVID-19 pandemic. Initial studies indicate positive effects of artemisinin or Artemisia spp. extracts to combat SARS-CoV-2 infection or COVID-19 related symptoms and WHO-supervised clinical studies on the potential of artemisinins to combat COVID-19 are now in progress. However, implementing multiple potential new uses of artemisinins will require effective solutions to boost production, either by enhancing synthesis in A. annua itself or through biotechnological engineering in alternative biosynthesis platforms. Because of this renewed interest in artemisinin and its derivatives, here we review its modes of action, its potential application in different diseases including COVID-19, its biosynthesis and future options to boost production.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Karim Farmanpour-Kalalagh
- Department of Horticultural Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Arman Beyraghdar Kashkooli
- Department of Horticultural Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
- *Correspondence: Arman Beyraghdar Kashkooli,
| | - Alireza Babaei
- Department of Horticultural Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ali Rezaei
- Department of Horticultural Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | | |
Collapse
|
5
|
Elexpe A, Nieto N, Fernández-Cuétara C, Domínguez-Fernández C, Morera-Herreras T, Torrecilla M, Miguélez C, Laso A, Ochoa E, Bailen M, González-Coloma A, Angulo-Barturen I, Astigarraga E, Barreda-Gómez G. Study of Tissue-Specific Reactive Oxygen Species Formation by Cell Membrane Microarrays for the Characterization of Bioactive Compounds. MEMBRANES 2021; 11:membranes11120943. [PMID: 34940444 PMCID: PMC8705675 DOI: 10.3390/membranes11120943] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2021] [Revised: 11/19/2021] [Accepted: 11/24/2021] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
The production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) increases considerably in situations of cellular stress, inducing lipid peroxidation and multiple alterations in proteins and nucleic acids. However, sensitivity to oxidative damage varies between organs and tissues depending on the triggering process. Certain drugs used in the treatment of diverse diseases such as malaria have side effects similar to those produced by oxidative damage, although no specific study has been conducted. For this purpose, cell membrane microarrays were developed and the superoxide production evoked by the mitochondrial activity was assayed in the presence of specific inhibitors: rotenone, antimycin A and azide. Once the protocol was set up on cell membrane isolated from rat brain areas, the effect of six antimalarial drugs (atovaquone, quinidine, doxycycline, mefloquine, artemisinin, and tafenoquine) and two essential oils (Rosmarinus officinalis and Origanum majoricum) were evaluated in multiple human samples. The basal activity was different depending on the type of tissue, the liver, jejunum and adrenal gland being the ones with the highest amount of superoxide. The antimalarial drugs studied showed specific behavior according to the type of human tissue analyzed, with atovaquone and quinidine producing the highest percentage of superoxide formation, and doxycycline the lowest. In conclusion, the analysis of superoxide production evaluated in cell membranes of a collection of human tissues allowed for the characterization of the safety profile of these antimalarial drugs against toxicity mediated by oxidative stress.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ane Elexpe
- Research and Development Division, IMG Pharma Biotech, 48160 Derio, Spain; (A.E.); (N.N.); (C.D.-F.); (E.A.)
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine and Nursing, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, 48940 Leioa, Spain; (T.M.-H.); (M.T.); (C.M.)
| | - Nerea Nieto
- Research and Development Division, IMG Pharma Biotech, 48160 Derio, Spain; (A.E.); (N.N.); (C.D.-F.); (E.A.)
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine and Nursing, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, 48940 Leioa, Spain; (T.M.-H.); (M.T.); (C.M.)
| | - Claudia Fernández-Cuétara
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health and Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Autonomus University of Madrid UAM, 28029 Madrid, Spain; (C.F.-C.); (M.B.)
| | - Celtia Domínguez-Fernández
- Research and Development Division, IMG Pharma Biotech, 48160 Derio, Spain; (A.E.); (N.N.); (C.D.-F.); (E.A.)
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine and Nursing, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, 48940 Leioa, Spain; (T.M.-H.); (M.T.); (C.M.)
| | - Teresa Morera-Herreras
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine and Nursing, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, 48940 Leioa, Spain; (T.M.-H.); (M.T.); (C.M.)
- Neurodegenerative Diseases Group, Biocruces Bizkaia Health Research Instiute, 48903 Barakaldo, Spain
| | - María Torrecilla
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine and Nursing, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, 48940 Leioa, Spain; (T.M.-H.); (M.T.); (C.M.)
| | - Cristina Miguélez
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine and Nursing, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, 48940 Leioa, Spain; (T.M.-H.); (M.T.); (C.M.)
- Neurodegenerative Diseases Group, Biocruces Bizkaia Health Research Instiute, 48903 Barakaldo, Spain
| | - Antonio Laso
- Research and Development Division, AleoVitro, 48160 Derio, Spain; (A.L.); (E.O.)
| | - Eneko Ochoa
- Research and Development Division, AleoVitro, 48160 Derio, Spain; (A.L.); (E.O.)
| | - María Bailen
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health and Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Autonomus University of Madrid UAM, 28029 Madrid, Spain; (C.F.-C.); (M.B.)
| | - Azucena González-Coloma
- Institute of Agricultural Sciences (ICA), Spanish Research Council (CSIC), 28006 Madrid, Spain;
| | | | - Egoitz Astigarraga
- Research and Development Division, IMG Pharma Biotech, 48160 Derio, Spain; (A.E.); (N.N.); (C.D.-F.); (E.A.)
| | - Gabriel Barreda-Gómez
- Research and Development Division, IMG Pharma Biotech, 48160 Derio, Spain; (A.E.); (N.N.); (C.D.-F.); (E.A.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +34-94-4316-577; Fax: +34-94-6013-455
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Xiong Y, Huang J. Anti-malarial drug: the emerging role of artemisinin and its derivatives in liver disease treatment. Chin Med 2021; 16:80. [PMID: 34407830 PMCID: PMC8371597 DOI: 10.1186/s13020-021-00489-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2021] [Accepted: 08/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Artemisinin and its derivatives belong to a family of drugs approved for the treatment of malaria with known clinical safety and efficacy. In addition to its anti-malarial effect, artemisinin displays anti-viral, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer effects in vivo and in vitro. Recently, much attention has been paid to the therapeutic role of artemisinin in liver diseases. Several studies suggest that artemisinin and its derivatives can protect the liver through different mechanisms, such as those pertaining to inflammation, proliferation, invasion, metastasis, and induction of apoptosis and autophagy. In this review, we provide a comprehensive discussion of the underlying molecular mechanisms and signaling pathways of artemisinin and its derivatives in treating liver diseases. Further pharmacological research will aid in determining whether artemisinin and its derivatives may serve as promising medicines for the treatment of liver diseases in the future. ![]()
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ye Xiong
- The Department of Infectious Diseases, State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, 79 Qingchun Road, Hangzhou, 310003, China
| | - Jianrong Huang
- The Department of Infectious Diseases, State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, 79 Qingchun Road, Hangzhou, 310003, China.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Khanal P. Antimalarial and anticancer properties of artesunate and other artemisinins: current development. MONATSHEFTE FUR CHEMIE 2021; 152:387-400. [PMID: 33814617 PMCID: PMC8008344 DOI: 10.1007/s00706-021-02759-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2020] [Accepted: 03/22/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
This review provides a recent perspective of artesunate and other artemisinins as antimalarial drugs and their uses in cancer therapy. Artesunate is an artemisinin derivative. Artemisinin is extracted from the plant Artemisia annua. Artemisinin and its derivatives have been the most useful drug for malarial treatment in human history. The artesunate has an advantage of a hydrophilic group over other artemisinins which makes it a more potent drug. On the industrial scale, artemisinins are synthesized in semisynthetic ways. The 1,2,4-endoperoxide bridge of artemisinins is responsible for the drug's antimalarial activity. There is the emergence of artemisinin resistance on Plasmodium falciparum and pieces of evidence suggest that it is mainly due to the mutation at Kelch13 protein of P. falciparum. Clinical trial data show that the artesunate is more favorable than quinine and other artemisinins to treat patients with severe malaria. Pieces of evidence indicate that artemisinins can be developed as anticancer drugs. The mechanism of actions on how artemisinins act as an anticancer drug involves oxidative stress, DNA damage and repair, and various types of cell deaths.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Pitambar Khanal
- Nagarik College, Tribhuvan University, Gaidakot-2, Nawalparasi Purva, Gandaki, Nepal
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Natural Products as Inducers of Non-Canonical Cell Death: A Weapon against Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13020304. [PMID: 33467668 PMCID: PMC7830727 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13020304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2020] [Revised: 01/09/2021] [Accepted: 01/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Anticancer therapeutic approaches based solely on apoptosis induction are often unsuccessful due to the activation of resistance mechanisms. The identification and characterization of compounds capable of triggering non-apoptotic, also called non-canonical cell death pathways, could represent an important strategy that may integrate or offer alternative approaches to the current anticancer therapies. In this review, we critically discuss the promotion of ferroptosis, necroptosis, and pyroptosis by natural compounds as a new anticancer strategy. Abstract Apoptosis has been considered the main mechanism induced by cancer chemotherapeutic drugs for a long time. This paradigm is currently evolving and changing, as increasing evidence pointed out that antitumor agents could trigger various non-canonical or non-apoptotic cell death types. A considerable number of antitumor drugs derive from natural sources, both in their naturally occurring form or as synthetic derivatives. Therefore, it is not surprising that several natural compounds have been explored for their ability to induce non-canonical cell death. The aim of this review is to highlight the potential antitumor effects of natural products as ferroptosis, necroptosis, or pyroptosis inducers. Natural products have proven to be promising non-canonical cell death inducers, capable of overcoming cancer cells resistance to apoptosis. However, as discussed in this review, they often lack a full characterization of their antitumor activity together with an in-depth investigation of their toxicological profile.
Collapse
|