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Senol Deniz FS, Ekhteiari Salmas R, Emerce E, Sener B, Orhan IE. Cholinesterase Inhibitory and In Silico Toxicity Assessment of Thirty-Four Isoquinoline Alkaloids - Berberine as the Lead Compound. CNS & NEUROLOGICAL DISORDERS DRUG TARGETS 2024; 23:773-783. [PMID: 37073143 DOI: 10.2174/1871527322666230417083053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2022] [Revised: 01/21/2023] [Accepted: 01/24/2023] [Indexed: 04/20/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cholinesterase (ChE) inhibitors used currently in clinics for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD) are the most prescribed drug class with nitrogen-containing chemical formula. Galanthamine, the latest generation anti-ChE drug, contains an isoquinoline structure. OBJECTIVE The aim of the current study was to investigate the inhibitory potential of thirty-four isoquinoline alkaloids, e.g. (-)-adlumidine, β-allocryptopine, berberine, (+)-bicuculline, (-)-bicuculline, (+)-bulbocapnine, (-)-canadine, (±)-chelidimerine, corydaldine, (±)-corydalidzine, (-)-corydalmine, (+)-cularicine, dehydrocavidine, (+)-fumariline, (-)-fumarophycine, (+)-α-hydrastine, (+)-isoboldine, 13-methylcolumbamine, (-)-norjuziphine, norsanguinarine, (-)-ophiocarpine, (-)-ophiocarpine-Noxide, oxocularine, oxosarcocapnine, palmatine, (+)-parfumine, protopine, (+)-reticuline, sanguinarine, (+)-scoulerine, (±)-sibiricine, (±)-sibiricine acetate, (-)-sinactine, and (-)-stylopine isolated from several Fumaria (fumitory) and Corydalis species towards acetyl- (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) by microtiter plate assays. The alkaloids with strong ChE inhibition were proceeded to molecular docking simulations as well as in silico toxicity screening for their mutagenic capacity through VEGA QSAR (AMES test) consensus model and VEGA platform as statistical approaches. The inputs were evaluated in a simplified molecular input-line entry system (SMILES). METHODS ChE inhibition assays indicated that the highest AChE inhibition was caused by berberine (IC50: 0.72 ± 0.04 μg/mL), palmatine (IC50: 6.29 ± 0.61 μg/mL), β-allocryptopine (IC50: 10.62 ± 0.45 μg/mL), (-)-sinactine (IC50: 11.94 ± 0.44 μg/mL), and dehydrocavidine (IC50: 15.01 ± 1.87 μg/mL) as compared to that of galanthamine (IC50: 0.74 ± 0.01 μg/mL), the reference drug with isoquinoline skeleton. Less number of the tested alkaloids exhibited notable BChE inhibition. Among them, berberine (IC50: 7.67 ± 0.36 μg/mL) and (-)-corydalmine (IC50: 7.78 ± 0.38 μg/mL) displayed a stronger inhibition than that of galanthamine (IC50: 12.02 ± 0.25 μg/mL). The mutagenic activity was shown for β-allocryptopine, (+)- and (-)-bicuculline, (±)-corydalidzine, (-)-corydalmine, (+)-cularicine, (-)- fumarophycine, (-)-norjuziphine, (-)-ophiocarpine-N-oxide, (+)-scoulerine, (-)-sinactine, and (-)- stylopine by means of in silico experiments. RESULTS The results obtained by molecular docking simulations of berberine, palmatine, and (-)- corydalmine suggested that the estimated free ligand-binding energies of these compounds inside the binding domains of their targets are reasonable to make them capable of establishing strong polar and nonpolar bonds with the atoms of the active site amino acids. CONCLUSION Our findings revealed that berberine, palmatin, and (-)-corydalmine stand out as the most promising isoquinoline alkaloids in terms of ChE inhibition. Among them, berberine has displayed a robust dual inhibition against both ChEs and could be evaluated further as a lead compound for AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Sezer Senol Deniz
- Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Gazi University, Ankara 06330, Türkiye
| | | | - Esra Emerce
- Department of Pharmaceutical Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Gazi University, Ankara 06330, Türkiye
| | - Bilge Sener
- Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Gazi University, Ankara 06330, Türkiye
| | - Ilkay Erdogan Orhan
- Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Gazi University, Ankara 06330, Türkiye
- Turkish Academy of Sciences (TÜBA), Vedat Dalokay Street, No. 112, Ankara 06670, Türkiye
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Wang F, Zhang Y, Pang R, Shi S, Wang R. Scoulerine promotes cytotoxicity and attenuates stemness in ovarian cancer by targeting PI3K/AKT/mTOR axis. ACTA PHARMACEUTICA (ZAGREB, CROATIA) 2023; 73:475-488. [PMID: 37708956 DOI: 10.2478/acph-2023-0021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/08/2023] [Indexed: 09/16/2023]
Abstract
In women, ovarian cancer is a common gynecological cancer associated with poor prognosis, reoccurrence and chemoresistance. Scoulerine, a benzylisoquinoline alkaloid, has been reported effective against several carcinomas. Thus, we investigated the impact of scoulerine on ovarian cancer cells (OVCAR3). Cell viability was assessed by MTT assay, migration was determined by Boyden Chamber assay, while the invasion was monitored by Boyden Chamber assay using the matrigel. The stemness properties of OVCAR3 cells were observed by tumorsphere assay. Epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) and stemness-related protein markers were monitored by real-time PCR analysis and immunoblotting. Scoulerine inhibits the viability of OVCAR3 cells with the IC 50 observed at 10 µmol L-1 after 48 h treatment. Scoulerine inhibited the colony-forming ability, migration and invasiveness of OVCAR3 cells in a dose-dependent fashion. Scoulerine treatment also drastically reduced the spheroid-forming ability of OVCAR3 cells. The mesenchymal and stemness--related markers like N-cadherin, vimentin, CD-44, Oct-4, Sox-2 and Aldh1A1 were downregulated, whereas the epithelial markers like E-cadherin and CD-24 were upregulated in scoulerine-treated cells. The upstream PI3K/Akt/mTOR-axis was downregulated in scoulerine-treated cells. We concluded that scoulerine successfully perturbs the cancerous properties of OVCAR3 cells by targeting the PI3K/Akt/mTOR axis. In vivo studies revealed a substantial decrease in tumor mass and volume after scoulerine treatment. Furthermore, scoulerine treatment was found to decrease oxidative stress factors in ovarian cancer mice model. Scoulerine is a potential anticancer agent against ovarian cancer and can be considered as a lead molecule for this malignancy, provided further investigations are performed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fang Wang
- Department of Gynaecology, Xuzhou Medical University Affiliated Hospital of Lianyungang Lianyungang, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yang Zhang
- Department of Gynaecology, Xuzhou Medical University Affiliated Hospital of Lianyungang Lianyungang, Jiangsu, China
| | - Rui Pang
- Department of Gynaecology, Xuzhou Medical University Affiliated Hospital of Lianyungang Lianyungang, Jiangsu, China
| | - Shaohong Shi
- Department of Gynaecology, Xuzhou Medical University Affiliated Hospital of Lianyungang Lianyungang, Jiangsu, China
| | - Ran Wang
- Department of Clinical laboratory, Xuzhou Medical University Affiliated Hospital of Lianyungang Lianyungang Jiangsu, China
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Han H, Wang C, Yang X, Wang L, Ye J, Xu F, Liao Y, Zhang W. Role of bZIP transcription factors in the regulation of plant secondary metabolism. PLANTA 2023; 258:13. [PMID: 37300575 DOI: 10.1007/s00425-023-04174-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2022] [Accepted: 06/01/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
MAIN CONCLUSION This study provides an overview of the structure, classification, regulatory mechanisms, and biological functions of the basic (region) leucine zipper transcription factors and their molecular mechanisms in flavonoid, terpenoid, alkaloid, phenolic acid, and lignin biosynthesis. Basic (region) leucine zippers (bZIPs) are evolutionarily conserved transcription factors (TFs) in eukaryotic organisms. The bZIP TFs are widely distributed in plants and play important roles in plant growth and development, photomorphogenesis, signal transduction, resistance to pathogenic microbes, biotic and abiotic stress, and secondary metabolism. Moreover, the expression of bZIP TFs not only promotes or inhibits the accumulation of secondary metabolites in medicinal plants, but also affects the stress response of plants to the external adverse environment. This paper describes the structure, classification, biological function, and regulatory mechanisms of bZIP TFs. In addition, the molecular mechanism of bZIP TFs regulating the biosynthesis of flavonoids, terpenoids, alkaloids, phenolic acids, and lignin are also elaborated. This review provides a summary for in-depth study of the molecular mechanism of bZIP TFs regulating the synthesis pathway of secondary metabolites and plant molecular breeding, which is of significance for the generation of beneficial secondary metabolites and the improvement of plant varieties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huan Han
- College of Horticulture and Gardening, Yangtze University, Jingzhou, 434025, Hubei, China
| | - Caini Wang
- College of Horticulture and Gardening, Yangtze University, Jingzhou, 434025, Hubei, China
| | - Xiaoyan Yang
- College of Horticulture and Gardening, Yangtze University, Jingzhou, 434025, Hubei, China
| | - Lina Wang
- College of Horticulture and Gardening, Yangtze University, Jingzhou, 434025, Hubei, China
| | - Jiabao Ye
- College of Horticulture and Gardening, Yangtze University, Jingzhou, 434025, Hubei, China.
| | - Feng Xu
- College of Horticulture and Gardening, Yangtze University, Jingzhou, 434025, Hubei, China.
| | - Yongling Liao
- College of Horticulture and Gardening, Yangtze University, Jingzhou, 434025, Hubei, China
| | - Weiwei Zhang
- College of Horticulture and Gardening, Yangtze University, Jingzhou, 434025, Hubei, China
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Premarathna AD, Tuvikene R, Somasiri M, De Silva M, Adhikari R, Ranahewa TH, Wijesundara R, Wijesekera SK, Dissanayake I, Wangchuk P, Rjabovs V, Jayasooriya AP, Rajapakse R. A novel therapeutic effect of mannitol-rich extract from the brown seaweed Sargassum ilicifolium using in vitro and in vivo models. BMC Complement Med Ther 2023; 23:26. [PMID: 36721189 PMCID: PMC9887804 DOI: 10.1186/s12906-023-03840-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2022] [Accepted: 01/11/2023] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Wound healing is an active, complex, integrated series of cellular, physiological, and biochemical changes initiated by the stimulus of injury in a tissue. The present study was performed to investigate the potential wound healing abilities of Sargassum ilicifolium crude extracts (CE) that were characterized by 1H NMR and FTIR Spectrometric measurements. MATERIALS AND METHODS Seaweed samples were collected from southern coastal sites of Sri Lanka. To determine the cytotoxicity and proliferation of S. ilicifolium CE were used for the MTT and alamarBlue assays respectively. The scratch and exclusion wound models were used to HaCaT and HDF cells to assess the cell proliferation and migration. RAW 264.7 cells (macrophages) were used to evaluate Nitric Oxide (NO) production and phagocytosis activities. Moreover, Fifteen, 8-week-old, female, New Zealand rabbits were selected and divided into five groups: excision skin wounds (10.40 ± 0.60 mm) were induced in groups I, II, and III. Rabbits in groups I and IV were given S. ilicifolium CE (orally, 100 mg/kg day, two weeks), whereas groups II and V were given equal amounts of distilled water. Wound healing properties were measured and wound tissue samples were collated, formalin-fixed, wax-embedded, stained (Hematoxylin and Eosin; Van Gieson) and examined for the healing process. RESULTS Anti-inflammatory and wound healing activities were observed in RAW 264.7, HDF and HaCaT cells treated with S. ilicifolium aqueous extracts when compared to the control groups. S. ilicifolium extracts concentration 8 - 4 μg/μL, (P<0.05) had remarkable the highest proliferative and migratory effects on RAW 264.7, HDF and HaCaT cells when compared with the control. RAW 264.7 cell proliferation and/or migration were higher in S. ilicifolium extracts (4 μg/μL, 232.8 ± 10.07%) compared with the control (100 %). Scratch wound healing were remarkably enhanced in 24 h, 48 h (P<0.05) when treated with S. ilicifolium on HaCaT cells. Rabbits treated with the CE of S. ilicifolium showed a significantly increased wound healing activities (P<0.05) within three days with a close wound area of 57.21 ± 0.77 % compared with control group (26.63 ± 1.09 %). Histopathology, aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase levels evidenced no toxic effects on seaweed treated groups. Histopathological results also revealed that the healing process was significantly faster in the rabbit groups which were as treated with CE of S. ilicifolium orally with the evidence of enhanced early granulation tissue (connective tissue and angiogenesis) and significant epithelization compared to the control. CONCLUSIONS Cell proliferation and migration are significantly faster when treated with S. ilicifolium aqueous extracts. Moreover, there are no toxic effect of S. ilicifolium aqueous extracts on RAW 264.7, HDF and HaCaT cell lines. In this study, it is revealed that S. ilicifolium has potential remedial agent; D-Mannitol for skin wound healing properties that by promote keratinocyte and fibroblast proliferation and migration. These findings show that S. ilicifolium have promising wound healing properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amal D Premarathna
- School of Natural Sciences and Health, Tallinn University, Narva mnt 29, 10120, Tallinn, Estonia.
| | - Rando Tuvikene
- School of Natural Sciences and Health, Tallinn University, Narva mnt 29, 10120, Tallinn, Estonia.
| | - Mnr Somasiri
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka
| | - Mlwp De Silva
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka
| | - Ranjith Adhikari
- South Asian Clinical Toxicology Research Collaboration. Faculty of Medicine, National Serpentarium, University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka
| | - T H Ranahewa
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka
| | - Rrmkk Wijesundara
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka
| | - S K Wijesekera
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Open University, Kandy Regional Center, Polgolla, Sri Lanka
| | - Ipghu Dissanayake
- Department of Basic Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka
| | - Phurpa Wangchuk
- Centre for Molecular Therapeutics, Australian Institute of Tropical health and Medicine, James Cook University, Smithfield, QLD, 4878, Australia
| | - Vitalijs Rjabovs
- National Institute of Chemical Physics and Biophysics, Akadeemia tee 23, 12618, Tallinn, Estonia
| | - Anura P Jayasooriya
- Department of Basic Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka
| | - Rpvj Rajapakse
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka.
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Ansari MF, Khan HY, Tabassum S, Arjmand F. Advances in anticancer alkaloid-derived metallo-chemotherapeutic agents in the last decade: Mechanism of action and future prospects. Pharmacol Ther 2023; 241:108335. [PMID: 36567056 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2022.108335] [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: 10/02/2022] [Revised: 12/05/2022] [Accepted: 12/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Metal-based complexes have occupied a pioneering niche in the treatment of many chronic diseases, including various types of cancers. Despite the phenomenal success of cisplatin for the treatment of many solid malignancies, a limited number of metallo-drugs are in clinical use against cancer chemotherapy till date. While many other prominent platinum and non‑platinum- based metallo-drugs (e.g. NAMI-A, KP1019, carboplatin, oxaliplatin, titanocene dichloride, casiopeinas® etc) have entered clinical trials, many have failed at later stages of R&D due to deleterious toxic effects, intrinsic resistance and poor pharmacokinetic response and low therapeutic efficacy. Nonetheless, research in the area of medicinal inorganic chemistry has been increasing exponentially over the years, employing novel target based drug design strategies aimed at improving pharmacological outcomes and at the same time mitigating the side-effects of these drug entities. Over the last few decades, natural products became one of the key structural motifs in the anticancer drug development. Many eminent researchers in the area of medicinal chemistry are devoted to develop new 3d-transition metal-based anticancer drugs/repurpose the existing bioactive compounds derived from myriad pharmacophores such as coumarins, flavonoids, chromones, alkaloids etc. Metal complexes of natural alkaloids and their analogs such as luotonin A, jatrorrhizine, berberine, oxoaporphine, 8-oxychinoline etc. have gained prominence in the anticancer drug development process as the naturally occurring alkaloids can be anti-proliferative, induce apoptosis and exhibit inhibition of angiogenesis with better healing effect. While some of them are inhibitors of ERK signal-regulated kinases, others show activity based on cyclooxygenases-2 (COX-2) and telomerase inhibition. However, the targets of these alkaloid complexes are still unclear, though it is well-established that they demonstrate anticancer potency by interfering with multiple pathways of tumorigenesis and tumor progression both in vitro and in vivo. Over the last decade, many significant advances have been made towards the development of natural alkaloid-based metallo-drug therapeutics for intervention in cancer chemotherapy that have been summarized below and reviewed in this article.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Huzaifa Yasir Khan
- Department of Chemistry, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh 202002, UP, India
| | - Sartaj Tabassum
- Department of Chemistry, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh 202002, UP, India
| | - Farukh Arjmand
- Department of Chemistry, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh 202002, UP, India.
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An Update of the Sanguinarine and Benzophenanthridine Alkaloids’ Biosynthesis and Their Applications. Molecules 2022; 27:molecules27041378. [PMID: 35209167 PMCID: PMC8876366 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27041378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2021] [Revised: 02/11/2022] [Accepted: 02/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Benzophenanthridines belong to the benzylisoquinolic alkaloids, representing one of the main groups of this class. These alkaloids include over 120 different compounds, mostly in plants from the Fumariaceae, Papaveraceae, and Rutaceae families, which confer chemical protection against pathogens and herbivores. Industrial uses of BZD include the production of environmentally friendly agrochemicals and livestock food supplements. However, although mainly considered toxic compounds, plants bearing them have been used in traditional medicine and their medical applications as antimicrobials, antiprotozoals, and cytotoxic agents have been envisioned. The biosynthetic pathways for some BZD have been established in different species, allowing for the isolation of the genes and enzymes involved. This knowledge has resulted in a better understanding of the process controlling their synthesis and an opening of the gates towards their exploitation by applying modern biotechnological approaches, such as synthetic biology. This review presents the new advances on BDZ biosynthesis and physiological roles. Industrial applications, mainly with pharmacological approaches, are also revised.
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Di (Isoquinolin-1-Yl) Sulfane (DIQS) Inhibits Melaninogenesis by Modulating PKA/CREB and MAPK Signaling Pathways. COSMETICS 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/cosmetics8040104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The novel synthetic compound Di (isoquinolin-1-yl) sulfane (DIQS) was identified by zebrafish larva screening during the development of an agent to inhibit abnormal hyperpigmentation. In this study, we investigated the inhibitory effect of DIQS on melanogenesis and its underlying mechanism. DIQS inhibited melanin production and tyrosinase activity in B16F10 cells stimulated with α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH), as well as zebrafish embryos and reconstituted human skin tissue containing melanocytes. DIQS decreased the mRNA and protein expression of microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF) and tyrosinase at a concentration of 10 μM. DIQS also inhibited the phosphorylation of cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB) and p-p38 and p-JNK stimulated by α-MSH. These results suggest that DIQS attenuates hyperpigmentation via inhibition of the cAMP/PKA/CREB/MITF/tyrosinase axis and MAPK pathways. Liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry analysis revealed that DIQS blocked the conversion of tyrosine to L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (L-DOPA) in zebrafish embryos. Finally, we confirmed that DIQS was non-toxic in reconstituted human tissues such as the epidermis, used to test skin sensitization, and the cornea, used to test eye irritation. In summary, the results of this study suggest the potential of DIQS as a small-molecule agent for skin-whitening cosmetics and the treatment of hyperpigmentation disorders without biological toxicity.
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Li J, Yan Z, Li H, Shi Q, Ahire V, Zhang S, Nimishetti N, Yang D, Allen TD, Zhang J. The Phytochemical Scoulerine Inhibits Aurora Kinase Activity to Induce Mitotic and Cytokinetic Defects. JOURNAL OF NATURAL PRODUCTS 2021; 84:2312-2320. [PMID: 34406008 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jnatprod.1c00429] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
To identify novel bioactive compounds, an image-based, cell culture screening of natural product extracts was conducted. Specifically, our screen was designed to identify phytochemicals that might phenocopy inhibition of the chromosomal passenger protein complex in eliciting mitotic and cytokinetic defects. A known alkaloid, scoulerine, was identified from the rhizomes of the plant Corydalis decumbens as being able to elicit a transient mitotic arrest followed by either apoptosis induction or polyploidy. In examining the mitotic abnormality further, we observed that scoulerine could elicit supernumerary centrosomes during mitosis, but not earlier in the cell cycle. The localization of NUMA1 at spindle poles was also inhibited, suggesting diminished potential for microtubule recruitment and spindle-pole focusing. Polyploid cells emerged subsequent to cytokinetic failure. The concentration required for scoulerine to elicit all its cell division phenotypes was similar, and an examination of related compounds highlighted the requirement for proper positioning of a hydroxyl and a methoxy group about an aromatic ring for activity. Mechanistically, scoulerine inhibited AURKB activity at concentrations that elicited supernumerary centrosomes and polyploidy. AURKA was only inhibited at higher concentrations, so AURKB inhibition is the likely mechanism by which scoulerine elicited division defects. AURKB inhibition was never complete, so scoulerine may be a suboptimal AURK inhibitor or work upstream of the chromosomal passenger protein complex to reduce AURKB activity. Scoulerine inhibited the viability of a variety of human cancer cell lines. Collectively, these findings uncover a previously unknown activity of scoulerine that could facilitate targeting human cancers. Scoulerine, or a next-generation analogue, may be useful as a nontoxic component of combination therapies where inhibiting the chromosomal passenger protein complex is desired.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinhua Li
- Chengdu Anticancer Bioscience, Ltd., and J. Michael Bishop Institute of Cancer Research, Chengdu 610000, China
| | - Ziqi Yan
- Chengdu Anticancer Bioscience, Ltd., and J. Michael Bishop Institute of Cancer Research, Chengdu 610000, China
| | - Hongmei Li
- Chengdu Anticancer Bioscience, Ltd., and J. Michael Bishop Institute of Cancer Research, Chengdu 610000, China
| | - Qiong Shi
- Chengdu Anticancer Bioscience, Ltd., and J. Michael Bishop Institute of Cancer Research, Chengdu 610000, China
| | - Vidhula Ahire
- Chengdu Anticancer Bioscience, Ltd., and J. Michael Bishop Institute of Cancer Research, Chengdu 610000, China
| | - Shenqiu Zhang
- Chengdu Anticancer Bioscience, Ltd., and J. Michael Bishop Institute of Cancer Research, Chengdu 610000, China
| | - Naganna Nimishetti
- Chengdu Anticancer Bioscience, Ltd., and J. Michael Bishop Institute of Cancer Research, Chengdu 610000, China
| | - Dun Yang
- Chengdu Anticancer Bioscience, Ltd., and J. Michael Bishop Institute of Cancer Research, Chengdu 610000, China
- Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 610000, China
| | - Thaddeus D Allen
- Chengdu Anticancer Bioscience, Ltd., and J. Michael Bishop Institute of Cancer Research, Chengdu 610000, China
| | - Jing Zhang
- Chengdu Anticancer Bioscience, Ltd., and J. Michael Bishop Institute of Cancer Research, Chengdu 610000, China
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