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Multitarget and Multipathway Regulation of Zhenqi Fuzheng Granule against Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Based On Network Pharmacology and Molecular Docking. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE 2022; 2022:5967078. [DOI: 10.1155/2022/5967078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2021] [Revised: 03/31/2022] [Accepted: 10/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Background and Objective. The morbidity and mortality rates of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remain high. Zhenqi Fuzheng (ZQFZ) granule, which consists of Astragali Radix and Ligustri Lucidi Fructus, is commonly used to improve the immunity of cancer patients. However, the mechanism of ZQFZ granule against NSCLC is still unclear. In this study, the network pharmacology and molecular docking approaches were used to investigate the potential mechanism of ZQFZ granule on NSCLC. Methods. The ingredients in the ZQFZ granule were considered in one study based on UPLC, and the potential targets were predicted in the SwissTargetPrediction database. NSCLC targets were gathered from GeneCards, OMIM, and TTD databases. The ingredient-target-NSCLC network was drawn by Cytoscape. The protein–protein interaction was obtained from the STRING database, and the gene function and biological pathways were analyzed by Metascape. AutoDock Vina was used to verify the molecular docking between the key compounds and core targets, and PyMol visualized the results. Results. 244 targets were related to 13 candidate compounds and 1904 targets were related to NSCLC, of which a total of 106 anti-NSCLC targets were predicted. The compound-target-NSCLC network indicated that sinapinic acid, ferulic acid, asiatic acid, pratensein, and glycitein might be the key components for treating NSCLC. The 41 vital targets (out of 106 targets) above the median calculated by PPI degree were selected for bioinformatics analysis. The top 10 targets out of 41 ranked by MCC were IL-6, SRC, CTNNB1, STAT3, CASP3, TNF, EGFR, MAPK8, HSP90AA1, and PTGS2. ZQFZ granule treatment for NSCLC involved many pathways through KEGG analyses, which included pathways in cancer (hsa05200), proteoglycans in cancer (hsa05205), endocrine resistance (hsa01522), microRNAs in cancer (hsa05206), PI3K-Akt signaling pathway (hsa04151), and IL-17 signaling pathway (hsa04657). Molecular docking studies revealed that sinapinic acid, ferulic acid, asiatic acid, pratensein, and glycitein had good infinity with most core targets. Conclusions. This study indicated that ZQFZ granule with multicompounds could treat NSCLC through multitargets and multipathways.
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ER and PGR targeting ability of phytocompounds derived from Centella asiatica and Andrographis paniculata: An in-silico approach. J Herb Med 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.hermed.2022.100541] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
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Actions and Therapeutic Potential of Madecassoside and Other Major Constituents of Centella asiatica: A Review. APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/app11188475] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Centella asiatica is a popular herb well-known for its wide range of therapeutic effects and its use as a folk medicine for many years. Its therapeutic properties have been well correlated with the presence of asiaticoside, madecassoside, asiatic and madecassic acids, the pentacyclic triterpenes. The herb has been extensively known to treat skin conditions; nevertheless, several pre-clinical and clinical studies have scientifically demonstrated its effectiveness in other disorders. Among the active constituents that have been identified in Centella asiatica, madecassoside has been the subject of only a relatively small number of scientific reports. Therefore, this review, while including other major constituents of this plant, focuses on the therapeutic potential, pharmacokinetics and toxicity of madecassoside.
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Islam MT, Ali ES, Uddin SJ, Khan IN, Shill MC, de Castro E Sousa JM, de Alencar MVOB, Melo-Cavalcante AAC, Mubarak MS. Anti-Cancer Effects of Asiatic Acid, a Triterpene from Centilla asiatica L: A Review. Anticancer Agents Med Chem 2021; 20:536-547. [PMID: 31823705 DOI: 10.2174/1871520619666191211103006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2019] [Revised: 10/05/2019] [Accepted: 11/21/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Centilla asiatica L is a medicinal herb that has been widely used in folk medicine to treat various diseases. Asiatic Acid (AA), a triterpene and a known component of this herb, has been shown to display important biological activities, including anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antidiabetic and antihyperlipidemic, neuroprotective, anxiolytic and antidepressant, hepatoprotective, pancreas protective, and cardio- protective. OBJECTIVE This review focuses on AA's anti-cancer effects on the basis of published literature found in a number of databases such as PubMed and Science Direct. Emphasis has been given to the mechanisms of action of its anti-cancer effect. METHODS A literature survey was conducted using known databases such as PubMed and Science Direct using the keywords 'Asiatic acid', pairing with 'cancer', 'tumor', 'anti-cancer effect', 'cytotoxic effect', 'anti-tumor activity', 'cell line', 'animal cancer', and 'human cancer'. RESULTS Findings suggest that AA exerts anti-cancer effects in several test systems through various pathways, including oxidative/antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, cytotoxicity, apoptotic cell death, necrosis, anti-angiogenesis, inhibition of proliferation and cell migration, and chemoprevention. CONCLUSION AA may be an effective plant-based cancer chemotherapeutic agent and a promising lead for the development of potent anticancer drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad T Islam
- Department for Management of Science and Technology Development, Ton Duc Thang University, Ho Chi Minh City-700000, Vietnam.,Faculty of Pharmacy, Ton Duc Thang University, Ho Chi Minh City-700000, Vietnam
| | - Eunus S Ali
- Gaco Pharmaceuticals Limited, Dhaka-1000, Bangladesh.,College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Bedford Park-5042, Adelaide, Australia
| | - Shaikh J Uddin
- Pharmacy Discipline, Life Science School, Khulna University, Khulna-9208, Bangladesh
| | - Ishaq N Khan
- Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Khyber Medical University, Peshawar, 25000, Pakistan
| | - Manik C Shill
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, North South University, Bashundhara, Dhaka, 1229, Bangladesh
| | - João M de Castro E Sousa
- Postgraduate Program in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Federal University of Piaui, Teresina, 64 049-550, Brazil.,Department of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Piauí, Picos, Piauí, 64 067-670, Brazil
| | | | - Ana A C Melo-Cavalcante
- Postgraduate Program in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Federal University of Piaui, Teresina, 64 049-550, Brazil
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Ribeiro AB, Ozelin SD, da Silva LHD, Rinaldi-Neto F, Freitas KS, Nicolella HD, de Souza LDR, Furtado RA, Cunha WR, Tavares DC. Influence of Asiatic acid on cell proliferation and DNA damage in vitro and in vivo systems. J Biochem Mol Toxicol 2021; 35:e22712. [PMID: 33484013 DOI: 10.1002/jbt.22712] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2020] [Revised: 12/01/2020] [Accepted: 01/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Asiatic acid (AA) is a triterpene with promising pharmacological activity. In the present study, in vitro and in vivo assays were conducted to understand the effect of AA on cell proliferation and genomic instability. AA was cytotoxic to human tumor cell lines (M059J, HeLa, and MCF-7), with IC50 values ranging from 13.91 to 111.72 µM. In the case of M059J, AA exhibited selective cytotoxicity after 48 h of treatment (IC50 = 24 µM), decreasing the percentage of cells in the G0/G1 phase, increasing the percentage of cells in the S phase, and inducing apoptosis. A significant increase in chromosomal damage was observed in V79 cell cultures treated with AA (40 µM), revealing genotoxic activity. In contrast, low concentrations (5, 10, and 20 µM) of AA significantly reduced the frequencies of micronuclei induced by the mutagens doxorubicin (DXR), methyl methanesulfonate, and hydrogen peroxide. A reduction of DXR-induced intracellular free radicals was found in V79 cells treated with AA (10 µM). The antigenotoxic effect of AA (30 mg/kg) was also observed against DXR-induced chromosomal damage in Swiss mice. Significant reductions in p53 levels were verified in the liver tissue of these animals. Taken together, the data indicate that AA exerted antiproliferative activity in M059J tumor cells, which is probably related to the induction of DNA damage, leading to cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. Additionally, low concentrations of AA exhibited antigenotoxic effects and its antioxidant activity may be responsible, at least in part, for chemoprevention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arthur B Ribeiro
- Laboratório de Mutagênese, Universidade de Franca, Franca, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Saulo D Ozelin
- Laboratório de Mutagênese, Universidade de Franca, Franca, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Lucas H D da Silva
- Laboratório de Mutagênese, Universidade de Franca, Franca, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Karoline S Freitas
- Laboratório de Mutagênese, Universidade de Franca, Franca, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Heloiza D Nicolella
- Laboratório de Mutagênese, Universidade de Franca, Franca, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Ricardo A Furtado
- Laboratório de Mutagênese, Universidade de Franca, Franca, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Denise C Tavares
- Laboratório de Mutagênese, Universidade de Franca, Franca, São Paulo, Brazil
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Safety Assessment of Methanol Extract of Melastoma malabathricum L. Leaves following the Subacute and Subchronic Oral Consumptions in Rats and Its Cytotoxic Effect against the HT29 Cancer Cell Line. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE 2019; 2019:5207958. [PMID: 31885651 PMCID: PMC6899264 DOI: 10.1155/2019/5207958] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2019] [Accepted: 10/25/2019] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Methanol extract of Melastoma malabathricum (MEMM) has been traditionally used by the Malay to treat various ailments. In an attempt to develop the plant as an herbal product, MEMM was subjected to the subacute and subchronic toxicity and cytotoxicity studies. On the one hand, the subacute study was performed on three groups of male and three groups of female rats (n = 6), which were orally administered with 8% Tween 80 (vehicle control group) or MEMM (500 and 1000 mg/kg) daily for 28 days, respectively. On the other hand, the subchronic study was performed on four groups of rats (n = 6), which were orally administered with 8% Tween 80 (vehicle control group) or MEMM (50, 250, and 500 mg/kg) daily for 90 days, respectively. In the in vitro study, the cytotoxic effect of MEMM against the HT29 colon cancer cell line was assessed using the MTT assay. MEMM was also subjected to the UHPLC-ESI-HRMS analysis. The results demonstrated that MEMM administration did not cause any mortality, irregularity of behaviour, modification in body weight, as well as food and water intake following the subacute and subchronic oral treatment. There were no significant differences observed in haematological parameters between treatment and control groups in both studies, respectively. The in vitro study demonstrated that MEMM exerts a cytotoxic effect against the HT29 colon cancer cell line when observed under the inverted and phase-contrast microscope and confirmed by the acridine orange/propidium iodide (AOPI) staining. The UHPLC-ESI-HRMS analysis of MEMM demonstrated the occurrence of several compounds including quercetin, p-coumaric acid, procyanidin A, and epigallocatechin. In conclusion, M. malabathricum leaves are safe for oral consumption either at the subacute or subchronic levels and possess cytotoxic action against the HT29 colon cancer cells possibly due to the synergistic action of several flavonoid-based compounds.
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Desai TH, Joshi SV. In silico evaluation of apoptogenic potential and toxicological profile of triterpenoids. Indian J Pharmacol 2019; 51:181-207. [PMID: 31391686 PMCID: PMC6644186 DOI: 10.4103/ijp.ijp_90_18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
AIM: Caspases-3 and 8 are key mediators of intrinsic and extrinsic pathway of apoptosis, respectively. Triterpenoids of natural and synthetic origin reported as anticancer agents with apoptotic potential and hence may prove to be good candidates for in silico testing against caspases-3 and 8. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Various naturally-occurring and synthetic triterpenoids were subjected to activity prediction using PASS Online software, and among them, 67 compounds were selected for further processing. Protein structure of caspase-3 (3DEI) and caspase-8 (3KJQ) was obtained from the protein data bank and docked with selected triterpenoids using AutoDock Tools and AutoDock Vina. Toxicological profile was predicted based on clinical manifestations using PASS online software. RESULTS: The high docking score of -10.0, -9.9, -9.8, and -9.5 were shown by friedelin, tingenone, albiziasaponin A, and albiziasaponin C, respectively, for caspase-3, and -11.0, -9.6, -9.6, and -9.4 by β-boswellic acid, bryonolic acid, canophyllic acid, and CDDO, respectively, for caspase-8. Possible adverse events were predicted with varying degree of probability and major relevant effects were reported. Hydrostatic interactions along with formation of hydrogen bonds with specific amino acids in the binding pocket were identified with each triterpenoid. CONCLUSION: Lead molecules identified through this in silico study such as friedelin, tingenone, albiziasaponin, bryonolic acid, and canophyllic acid may be utilized for further in vitro/in vivo studies as apoptotic agents targeting caspases-3 and 8.
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Nagoor Meeran MF, Goyal SN, Suchal K, Sharma C, Patil CR, Ojha SK. Pharmacological Properties, Molecular Mechanisms, and Pharmaceutical Development of Asiatic Acid: A Pentacyclic Triterpenoid of Therapeutic Promise. Front Pharmacol 2018; 9:892. [PMID: 30233358 PMCID: PMC6131672 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2018.00892] [Citation(s) in RCA: 90] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2018] [Accepted: 07/23/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Asiatic acid (AA) is a naturally occurring aglycone of ursane type pentacyclic triterpenoids. It is abundantly present in many edible and medicinal plants including Centella asiatica that is a reputed herb in many traditional medicine formulations for wound healing and neuropsychiatric diseases. AA possesses numerous pharmacological activities such as antioxidant and anti-inflammatory and regulates apoptosis that attributes its therapeutic effects in numerous diseases. AA showed potent antihypertensive, nootropic, neuroprotective, cardioprotective, antimicrobial, and antitumor activities in preclinical studies. In various in vitro and in vivo studies, AA found to affect many enzymes, receptors, growth factors, transcription factors, apoptotic proteins, and cell signaling cascades. This review aims to represent the available reports on therapeutic potential and the underlying pharmacological and molecular mechanisms of AA. The review also also discusses the challenges and prospects on the pharmaceutical development of AA such as pharmacokinetics, physicochemical properties, analysis and structural modifications, and drug delivery. AA showed favorable pharmacokinetics and found bioavailable following oral or interaperitoneal administration. The studies demonstrate the polypharmacological properties, therapeutic potential and molecular mechanisms of AA in numerous diseases. Taken together the evidences from available studies, AA appears one of the important multitargeted polypharmacological agents of natural origin for further pharmaceutical development and clinical application. Provided the favorable pharmacokinetics, safety, and efficacy, AA can be a promising agent or adjuvant along with currently used modern medicines with a pharmacological basis of its use in therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed Fizur Nagoor Meeran
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
| | | | - Kapil Suchal
- Department of Pharmacology, R. C. Patel Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Shirpur, India
| | - Charu Sharma
- Department of Internal Meicine, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
| | - Chandragouda R. Patil
- Department of Pharmacology, R. C. Patel Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Shirpur, India
| | - Shreesh K. Ojha
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
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Salvador JA, Leal AS, Valdeira AS, Gonçalves BM, Alho DP, Figueiredo SA, Silvestre SM, Mendes VI. Oleanane-, ursane-, and quinone methide friedelane-type triterpenoid derivatives: Recent advances in cancer treatment. Eur J Med Chem 2017; 142:95-130. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2017.07.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2017] [Revised: 07/06/2017] [Accepted: 07/10/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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10
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Lu Y, Liu S, Wang Y, Wang D, Gao J, Zhu L. Asiatic acid uncouples respiration in isolated mouse liver mitochondria and induces HepG2 cells death. Eur J Pharmacol 2016; 786:212-223. [PMID: 27288117 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2016.06.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2016] [Revised: 06/02/2016] [Accepted: 06/06/2016] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Asiatic acid, one of the triterpenoid components isolated from Centella asiatica, has received increasing attention due to a wide variety of biological activities. To date, little is known about its mechanisms of action. Here we examined the cytotoxic effect of asiatic acid on HepG2 cells and elucidated some of the underlying mechanisms. Asiatic acid induced rapid cell death, as well as mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) dissipation, ATP depletion and cytochrome c release from mitochondria to the cytosol in HepG2 cells. In mitochondria isolated from mouse liver, asiatic acid treatment significantly stimulated the succinate-supported state 4 respiration rate, dissipated the MMP, increased Ca(2+) release from Ca(2+)-loaded mitochondria, decreased ATP content and promoted cytochrome c release, indicating the uncoupling effect of asiatic acid. Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) produced by succinate-supported mitochondrial respiration was also significantly inhibited by asiatic acid. In addition, asiatic acid inhibited Ca(2+)-induced mitochondrial swelling but did not induce mitochondrial swelling in hyposmotic potassium acetate medium which suggested that asiatic acid may not act as a protonophoric uncoupler. Inhibition of uncoupling proteins (UCPs) or blockade of adenine nucleotide transporter (ANT) attenuated the effect of asiatic acid on MMP dissipation, Ca(2+) release, mitochondrial respiration and HepG2 cell death. When combined inhibition of UCPs and ANT, asiatic acid-mediated uncoupling effect was noticeably alleviated. These results suggested that both UCPs and ANT partially contribute to the uncoupling properties of asiatic acid. In conclusion, asiatic acid is a novel mitochondrial uncoupler and this property is potentially involved in its toxicity on HepG2 cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yapeng Lu
- School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China; Institute of Nautical Medicine, Nantong University, Nantong 226019, China
| | - Siyuan Liu
- School of Life Sciences, Nantong University, Nantong 226019, China
| | - Ying Wang
- Institute of Nautical Medicine, Nantong University, Nantong 226019, China
| | - Dang Wang
- Institute of Nautical Medicine, Nantong University, Nantong 226019, China
| | - Jing Gao
- School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China.
| | - Li Zhu
- Institute of Nautical Medicine, Nantong University, Nantong 226019, China.
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Gonçalves BMF, Salvador JAR, Marín S, Cascante M. Synthesis and anticancer activity of novel fluorinated asiatic acid derivatives. Eur J Med Chem 2016; 114:101-17. [PMID: 26974379 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2016.02.057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2015] [Revised: 01/26/2016] [Accepted: 02/24/2016] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
A series of novel fluorinated Asiatic Acid (AA) derivatives were successfully synthesized, tested for their antiproliferative activity against HeLa and HT-29 cell lines, and their structure activity relationships were evaluated. The great majority of fluorinated derivatives showed stronger antiproliferative activity than AA in a concentration dependent manner. The most active compounds have a pentameric A-ring containing an α,β-unsaturated carbonyl group. The compounds with better cytotoxic activity were then evaluated against MCF-7, Jurkat, PC-3, A375, MIA PaCa-2 and BJ cell lines. Derivative 14 proved to be the most active compound among all tested derivatives and its mechanism of action was further investigated in HeLa cell line. The results showed that compound 14 induced cell cycle arrest in G0/G1 stage as a consequence of up-regulation of p21(cip1/waf1) and p27(kip1) and down-regulation of cyclin D3 and Cyclin E. Furthermore, compound 14 was found to induce caspase driven-apoptosis with activation of caspases-8 and caspase-3 and the cleavage of PARP. The cleavage of Bid into t-Bid, the up-regulation of Bax and the down-regulation of Bcl-2 were also observed after treatment of HeLa cells with compound 14. Taken together, these mechanistic studies revealed the involvement of extrinsic and intrinsic pathways in the apoptotic process induced by compound 14. Importantly, the antiproliferative activity of this compound on the non-tumor BJ human fibroblast cell line is weaker than in the tested cancer cell lines. The enhanced potency (between 45 and 90-fold more active than AA in a panel of cancer cell lines) and selectivity of this new AA derivative warrant further preclinical evaluation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruno M F Gonçalves
- Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, 3000-548, Coimbra, Portugal; Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Jorge A R Salvador
- Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, 3000-548, Coimbra, Portugal; Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, Coimbra, Portugal.
| | - Silvia Marín
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biology, Institute of Biomedicine of University of Barcelona, Diagonal 643, 08028 Barcelona, Spain; Institute of Biomedicine of University of Barcelona (IBUB) and Associated Unit to CSIC, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Marta Cascante
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biology, Institute of Biomedicine of University of Barcelona, Diagonal 643, 08028 Barcelona, Spain; Institute of Biomedicine of University of Barcelona (IBUB) and Associated Unit to CSIC, Barcelona, Spain.
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12
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Synthesis, anti-tumor and anti-angiogenic activity evaluations of asiatic Acid amino Acid derivatives. Molecules 2015; 20:7309-24. [PMID: 25905607 PMCID: PMC6272655 DOI: 10.3390/molecules20047309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2015] [Revised: 04/15/2015] [Accepted: 04/17/2015] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Fifteen semi-synthetic derivatives of asiatic acid (AA) have been synthesized and evaluated for their biological activities. The successful modification of these compounds at the C-2, C-3, C-23 and C-28 positions was confirmed using NMR, MS and IR spectra. Further, their anti-tumor effects were evaluated in vitro using different cancer cell lines (HeLa, HepG2, B16F10, SGC7901, A549, MCF7 and PC3), while their anti-angiogenic activities were evaluated in vivo using a larval zebrafish model. Among the derivatives, compounds 4–10 showed more potent cytotoxic and anti-angiogenic effects than AA, while compounds 11–17 had significantly less effects. The new derivative 10 was also included in finished formulations to evaluate its stability using HPLC due to its potential topical use. The derivative 10 had markedly better anti-tumor activities than both AA and other derivatives, with similar stability as its parent compound AA.
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Kavitha CV, Jain AK, Agarwal C, Pierce A, Keating A, Huber KM, Serkova NJ, Wempe MF, Agarwal R, Deep G. Asiatic acid induces endoplasmic reticulum stress and apoptotic death in glioblastoma multiforme cells both in vitro and in vivo. Mol Carcinog 2014; 54:1417-29. [PMID: 25252179 DOI: 10.1002/mc.22220] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2014] [Revised: 07/25/2014] [Accepted: 07/30/2014] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is an untreatable malignancy. Existing therapeutic options are insufficient, and adversely affect functional and non-cancerous cells in the brain impairing different functions of the body. Therefore, there is an urgent need for additional preventive and therapeutic non-toxic drugs against GBM. Asiatic acid (AsA; 2,3,23-trihydroxy-12-ursen-28-oic acid, C30 H48 O5 ) is a natural small molecule widely used to treat various neurological disorders, and the present research investigates AsA's efficacy against GBM both in vitro and in vivo. Results showed that AsA treatment (10-100 µM) decreased the human GBM cell (LN18, U87MG, and U118MG) viability, with better efficacy than temozolomide at equimolar doses. Orally administered AsA (30 mg/kg/d) strongly decreased tumor volume in mice when administered immediately after ectopic U87MG xenograft implantation (54% decrease, P ≤ 0.05) or in mice with established xenografts (48% decrease, P ≤ 0.05) without any apparent toxicity. Importantly, AsA feeding (30 mg/kg/twice a day) also decreased the orthotopic U87MG xenografts growth in nude mice as measured by magnetic resonance imaging. Using LC/MS-MS methods, AsA was detected in mice plasma and brain tissue, confirming that AsA crosses blood-brain barrier. Mechanistic studies showed that AsA induces apoptotic death by modulating the protein expression of several apoptosis regulators (caspases, Bcl2 family members, and survivin) in GBM cells. Furthermore, AsA induced ER stress (increased GRP78 and Calpain, and decreased Calnexin and IRE1α expression), enhanced free intra-cellular calcium, and damaged cellular organization in GBM cells. These experimental results demonstrate that AsA is effective against GBM, and advocate further pre-clinical and clinical evaluations of AsA against GBM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chandagirikoppal V Kavitha
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Colorado Denver, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Anil K Jain
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Colorado Denver, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Chapla Agarwal
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Colorado Denver, Aurora, Colorado
- University of Colorado Cancer Center, University of Colorado Denver, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Angela Pierce
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado School of Medicine, University of Colorado Denver, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Amy Keating
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado School of Medicine, University of Colorado Denver, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Kendra M Huber
- University of Colorado Cancer Center, University of Colorado Denver, Aurora, Colorado
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of Colorado Denver, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Natalie J Serkova
- University of Colorado Cancer Center, University of Colorado Denver, Aurora, Colorado
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of Colorado Denver, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Michael F Wempe
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Colorado Denver, Aurora, Colorado
- University of Colorado Cancer Center, University of Colorado Denver, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Rajesh Agarwal
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Colorado Denver, Aurora, Colorado
- University of Colorado Cancer Center, University of Colorado Denver, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Gagan Deep
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Colorado Denver, Aurora, Colorado
- University of Colorado Cancer Center, University of Colorado Denver, Aurora, Colorado
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14
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Kim KB, Kim K, Bae S, Choi Y, Cha HJ, Kim SY, Lee JH, Jeon SH, Jung HJ, Ahn KJ, An IS, An S. MicroRNA-1290 promotes asiatic acid‑induced apoptosis by decreasing BCL2 protein level in A549 non‑small cell lung carcinoma cells. Oncol Rep 2014; 32:1029-36. [PMID: 25016979 DOI: 10.3892/or.2014.3319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2014] [Accepted: 06/11/2014] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Asiatic acid, a triterpenoid derived from Centella asiatica, is a putative anticancer agent in several types of cancer cells. Investigations of its biological role in negative regulation of cell growth have focused on the extent of induction of apoptosis in a cell-type-specific manner. In this study, we identified an important regulator of asiatic acid-induced cell death, microRNA (miR)-1290, which sensitizes cells to asiatic acid-induced cytotoxicity and negatively regulates BCL2 expression. Asiatic acid significantly upregulated miR-1290, and asiatic acid-induced cell death was shown to be dependent on miR-1290 activity. Molecular assays demonstrated that BCL2 mRNA is a direct target of miR-1290-mediated RNA interference. The results of functional studies suggest that miR-1290 suppresses cell viability and cell cycle progression. These data provide insight into miR-1290-mediated cellular mechanisms in asiatic acid-treated A549 non-small cell lung carcinoma cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ki Bbeum Kim
- Molecular-Targeted Drug Research Center and Korea Institute for Skin and Clinical Sciences, Konkuk University, Seoul 143‑701, Republic of Korea
| | - Karam Kim
- Molecular-Targeted Drug Research Center and Korea Institute for Skin and Clinical Sciences, Konkuk University, Seoul 143‑701, Republic of Korea
| | - Seunghee Bae
- Molecular-Targeted Drug Research Center and Korea Institute for Skin and Clinical Sciences, Konkuk University, Seoul 143‑701, Republic of Korea
| | - Yeonghmin Choi
- Molecular-Targeted Drug Research Center and Korea Institute for Skin and Clinical Sciences, Konkuk University, Seoul 143‑701, Republic of Korea
| | - Hwa Jun Cha
- Molecular-Targeted Drug Research Center and Korea Institute for Skin and Clinical Sciences, Konkuk University, Seoul 143‑701, Republic of Korea
| | - Soo Yeon Kim
- Molecular-Targeted Drug Research Center and Korea Institute for Skin and Clinical Sciences, Konkuk University, Seoul 143‑701, Republic of Korea
| | - Jae Ho Lee
- Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, Cheil General Hospital and Women's Healthcare Center, Kwandong University, College of Medicine, Seoul 100‑380, Republic of Korea
| | - So Hyeon Jeon
- Department of Beauty Design, Dongwon University, Gwangju, Gyeonggi‑do, 464-711, Republic of Korea
| | - Ho Jung Jung
- Department of Dermatology, Konkuk University School of Medicine, Seoul 143-701, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyu Joong Ahn
- Department of Dermatology, Konkuk University School of Medicine, Seoul 143-701, Republic of Korea
| | - In-Sook An
- Molecular-Targeted Drug Research Center and Korea Institute for Skin and Clinical Sciences, Konkuk University, Seoul 143‑701, Republic of Korea
| | - Sungkwan An
- Molecular-Targeted Drug Research Center and Korea Institute for Skin and Clinical Sciences, Konkuk University, Seoul 143‑701, Republic of Korea
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15
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Jirasripongpun K, Jirakanjanakit N, Sakulsom P, Wongekalak LO, Hongsprabhas P. Influences of food matrices on cytotoxicity of asiatic acid in mammalian cell models. Int J Food Sci Technol 2012. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2621.2012.03058.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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16
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WU QIULING, LV TINGTING, CHEN YAN, WEN LU, ZHANG JUNLI, JIANG XUDONG, LIU FANG. Apoptosis of HL-60 human leukemia cells induced by Asiatic acid through modulation of B-cell lymphoma 2 family proteins and the mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathway. Mol Med Rep 2012; 12:1429-34. [DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2015.3534] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2014] [Accepted: 02/20/2015] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
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17
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Shanmugam MK, Nguyen AH, Kumar AP, Tan BKH, Sethi G. Targeted inhibition of tumor proliferation, survival, and metastasis by pentacyclic triterpenoids: potential role in prevention and therapy of cancer. Cancer Lett 2012; 320:158-70. [PMID: 22406826 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2012.02.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 150] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2011] [Revised: 02/28/2012] [Accepted: 02/29/2012] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Over the last two decades, extensive research on plant-based medicinal compounds has revealed exciting and important pharmacological properties and activities of triterpenoids. Fruits, vegetables, cereals, pulses, herbs and medicinal plants are all considered to be biological sources of these triterpenoids, which have attracted great attention especially for their potent anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer activities. Published reports in the past have described the molecular mechanism(s) underlying the various biological activities of triterpenoids which range from inhibition of acute and chronic inflammation, inhibition of tumor cell proliferation, induction of apoptosis, suppression of angiogenesis and metastasis. However systematic analysis of various pharmacological properties of these important classes of compounds has not been done. In this review, we describe in detail the pre-clinical chemopreventive and therapeutic properties of selected triterpenoids that inhibit multiple intracellular signaling molecules and transcription factors involved in the initiation, progression and promotion of various cancers. Molecular targets modulated by these triterpenoids comprise, cytokines, chemokines, reactive oxygen intermediates, oncogenes, inflammatory enzymes such as COX-2, 5-LOX and MMPs, anti-apoptotic proteins, transcription factors such as NF-κB, STAT3, AP-1, CREB, and Nrf2 (nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor) that regulate tumor cell proliferation, transformation, survival, invasion, angiogenesis, metastasis, chemoresistance and radioresistance. Finally, this review also analyzes the potential role of novel synthetic triterpenoids identified recently which mimic natural triterpenoids in physical and chemical properties and are moving rapidly from bench to bedside research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muthu K Shanmugam
- Department of Pharmacology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117597, Singapore
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18
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Kavitha CV, Agarwal C, Agarwal R, Deep G. Asiatic acid inhibits pro-angiogenic effects of VEGF and human gliomas in endothelial cell culture models. PLoS One 2011; 6:e22745. [PMID: 21826202 PMCID: PMC3149605 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0022745] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2011] [Accepted: 07/03/2011] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Malignant gliomas are one of the most devastating and incurable tumors. Sustained excessive angiogenesis by glioma cells is the major reason for their uncontrolled growth and resistance toward conventional therapies resulting in high mortality. Therefore, targeting angiogenesis should be a logical strategy to prevent or control glioma cell growth. Earlier studies have shown that Asiatic Acid (AsA), a pentacyclic triterpenoid, is effective against glioma and other cancer cells; however, its efficacy against angiogenesis remains unknown. In the present study, we examined the anti-angiogenic efficacy of AsA using human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) and human brain microvascular endothelial cells (HBMEC). Our results showed that AsA (5–20 µM) inhibits HUVEC growth and induces apoptotic cell death by activating caspases (3 and 9) and modulating the expression of apoptosis regulators Bad, survivin and pAkt-ser473. Further, AsA showed a dose-dependent inhibition of HUVEC migration, invasion and capillary tube formation, and disintegrated preformed capillary network. AsA also inhibited the VEGF-stimulated growth and capillary tube formation by HUVEC and HBMEC. Next, we analyzed the angiogenic potential of conditioned media collected from human glioma LN18 and U87-MG cells treated with either DMSO (control conditioned media, CCM) or AsA 20 µM (AsA20 conditioned media, AsA20CM). CCM from glioma cells significantly enhanced the capillary tube formation in both HUVEC and HBMEC, while capillary tube formation in both endothelial cell lines was greatly compromised in the presence of AsA20CM. Consistent with these results, VEGF expression was lesser in AsA20CM compared to CCM, and indeed AsA strongly inhibited VEGF level (both cellular and secreted) in glioma cells. AsA also showed dose-dependent anti-angiogenic efficacy in Matrigel plug assay, and inhibited the glioma cells potential to attract HUVEC/HBMEC. Overall, the present study clearly showed the strong anti-angiogenic potential of AsA and suggests its usefulness against malignant gliomas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chandagirikoppal V. Kavitha
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Colorado Denver, Denver, Colorado, United States of America
| | - Chapla Agarwal
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Colorado Denver, Denver, Colorado, United States of America
- University of Colorado Cancer Center, Aurora, Colorado, United States of America
| | - Rajesh Agarwal
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Colorado Denver, Denver, Colorado, United States of America
- University of Colorado Cancer Center, Aurora, Colorado, United States of America
| | - Gagan Deep
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Colorado Denver, Denver, Colorado, United States of America
- University of Colorado Cancer Center, Aurora, Colorado, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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19
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Targeting inflammatory pathways by triterpenoids for prevention and treatment of cancer. Toxins (Basel) 2010; 2:2428-66. [PMID: 22069560 PMCID: PMC3153165 DOI: 10.3390/toxins2102428] [Citation(s) in RCA: 211] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2010] [Revised: 09/23/2010] [Accepted: 10/15/2010] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Traditional medicine and diet has served mankind through the ages for prevention and treatment of most chronic diseases. Mounting evidence suggests that chronic inflammation mediates most chronic diseases, including cancer. More than other transcription factors, nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-κB) and STAT3 have emerged as major regulators of inflammation, cellular transformation, and tumor cell survival, proliferation, invasion, angiogenesis, and metastasis. Thus, agents that can inhibit NF-κB and STAT3 activation pathways have the potential to both prevent and treat cancer. In this review, we examine the potential of one group of compounds called triterpenes, derived from traditional medicine and diet for their ability to suppress inflammatory pathways linked to tumorigenesis. These triterpenes include avicins, betulinic acid, boswellic acid, celastrol, diosgenin, madecassic acid, maslinic acid, momordin, saikosaponins, platycodon, pristimerin, ursolic acid, and withanolide. This review thus supports the famous adage of Hippocrates, “Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food”.
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20
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Tang XL, Yang XY, Jung HJ, Kim SY, Jung SY, Choi DY, Park WC, Park H. Asiatic acid induces colon cancer cell growth inhibition and apoptosis through mitochondrial death cascade. Biol Pharm Bull 2010; 32:1399-405. [PMID: 19652380 DOI: 10.1248/bpb.32.1399] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Cancer is one of the leading causes of death in the world. The triterpenoid compound asiatic acid derived from the tropical medicinal plant Centella asiatica displays cytotoxic activity on fibroblast cells and several other kinds of cells. The present work studies asiatic acid-mediated growth inhibition of cancer cells and the underlying mechanism. Asiatic acid markedly inhibited cancer cell proliferation. Apoptosis of SW480 human colon cancer cells was induced by asiatic acid as shown by flow cytometry, DNA fragmentation and nuclear chromatin condensation experiments. Through increasing mitochondrial membrane permeability and cytochrome c release from mitochondria into cytosol, asiatic acid induced caspase-9 activity, which further activated caspase-3 and poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase cleavage resulting in irreversible apoptotic death in the tumor cells. Taken together, these results suggest that mitochondrial death apoptosis cascade plays very important roles in asiatic acid-induced cancer apoptosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xue-Lian Tang
- Department of Infection Biology, Zoonosis Research Center, Wonkwang University School of Medicine, Iksan, Jeonbuk, South Korea
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21
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Yamai H, Sawada N, Yoshida T, Seike J, Takizawa H, Kenzaki K, Miyoshi T, Kondo K, Bando Y, Ohnishi Y, Tangoku A. Triterpenes augment the inhibitory effects of anticancer drugs on growth of human esophageal carcinoma cells in vitro and suppress experimental metastasis in vivo. Int J Cancer 2009; 125:952-60. [PMID: 19462449 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.24433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
The antineoplastic effects of combinations of anticancer drugs (5-fluorouracil, irinotecan and cisplatin) and triterpenes (ursolic acid, betulinic acid, oleanolic acid and a Japanese apricot extract (JAE) containing triterpenes) on esophageal squamous carcinoma cells were examined by the WST-8 (2-(2-methoxy- 4-nitrophenyl)-3-(4-nitrophenyl)-5-(2,4-disulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium, monosodium salt) assay in vitro and by an animal model in vivo. Triterpenes and JAE showed additive and synergistic cytotoxic effects, respectively, on esophageal squamous carcinoma cells (YES-2 cells) by combinational use of 5-fluorouracil. JAE and 5-fluorouracil induced cell cycle arrest at G2/M phase and at S phase, respectively, and caused apoptosis in YES-2 cells. A new animal model of esophageal cancer causing tumor colonization of the peritoneal cavity and producing bloody ascites was made by injecting YES-2 cells into the peritoneal cavity of a severe combined immunodeficiency mouse. In this model, 5-fluorouracil inhibited colonization of tumor cells in the peritoneum. The addition of JAE to 5-fluorouracil augmented the suppression of experimental metastasis of the peritoneum. The numbers of peritoneal nodules of more than 2 mm in diameter in mice treated with 5-fluorouracil and JAE were less than those in mice treated with 5-fluorouracil alone or JAE alone. These results suggest that triterpenes, especially JAE, are effective supplements for enhancing the chemotherapeutic effect of 5-fluorouracil on esophageal cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiromichi Yamai
- Department of Thoracic, Endocrine Surgery and Oncology, Institute of Health Bioscience, The University of Tokushima Graduate School, Tokushima, Japan
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22
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Rafat M, Fong KW, Goldsipe A, Stephenson BC, Coradetti ST, Sambandan T, Sinskey AJ, Rha C. Association (micellization) and partitioning of aglycon triterpenoids. J Colloid Interface Sci 2008; 325:324-30. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2008.05.046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2008] [Revised: 05/12/2008] [Accepted: 05/19/2008] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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23
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Stephenson BC, Goldsipe A, Blankschtein D. Molecular dynamics simulation and thermodynamic modeling of the self-assembly of the triterpenoids asiatic acid and madecassic acid in aqueous solution. J Phys Chem B 2008; 112:2357-71. [PMID: 18247591 DOI: 10.1021/jp074310g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The self-assembly behavior of the triterpenoids asiatic acid (AA) and madecassic acid (MA), both widely studied bioactive phytochemicals that are similar in structure to bile salts, were investigated in aqueous solution through atomistic-level molecular dynamics (MD) simulation. AA and MA molecules initially distributed randomly in solution were observed to aggregate into micelles during 75 ns of MD simulation. A "hydrophobic contact criterion" was developed to identify micellar aggregates from the computer simulation results. From the computer simulation data, the aggregation number of AA and MA micelles, the monomer concentration, the principal moments of the micelle radius of gyration tensor, the one-dimensional growth exhibited by AA and MA micelles as the aggregation number increases, the level of internal ordering within AA and MA micelles (quantified using two different orientational order parameters), the local environment of atoms within AA and MA in the micellar environment, and the total, hydrophilic, and hydrophobic solvent accessible surface areas of the AA and MA micelles were each evaluated. The MD simulations conducted provide insights into the self-assembly behavior of structurally complex, nontraditional surfactants in aqueous solution. Motivated by the high computational cost required to obtain an accurate estimate of the critical micelle concentrations (CMCs) of AA and MA from evaluation of the average monomer concentration present in the AA and MA simulation cells, a modified computer simulation/molecular-thermodynamic model (referred to as the MCS-MT model) was formulated to quantify the free-energy change associated with optimal AA and MA micelle formation in order to predict the CMCs of AA and MA. The predicted CMC of AA was found to be 59 microM, compared with the experimentally measured CMC of 17 microM, and the predicted CMC of MA was found to be 96 microM, compared with the experimentally measured CMC of 62 microM. The AA and MA CMCs predicted using the MCS-MT model are much more accurate than the CMCs inferred from the monomer concentrations of AA and MA present in the simulation cells after micelle self-assembly (2390 microM and 11,300 microM, respectively). The theoretical modeling results obtained for AA and MA indicate that, by combining computer simulation inputs with molecular-thermodynamic models of surfactant self-assembly, reasonably accurate estimates of surfactant CMCs can be obtained with a fraction of the computational expense that would be required by using computer simulations alone.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian C Stephenson
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, USA
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24
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Park BC, Paek SH, Lee YS, Kim SJ, Lee ES, Choi HG, Yong CS, Kim JA. Inhibitory effects of asiatic acid on 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene and 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate-induced tumor promotion in mice. Biol Pharm Bull 2007; 30:176-9. [PMID: 17202682 DOI: 10.1248/bpb.30.176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Asiatic acid, a pentacyclic triterpene, has been reported to induce apoptosis of various human cancer cells. In the present study, we assessed the anti-tumor promoting effect of asiatic acid against 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate (TPA)-mediated skin tumorigenesis in 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA)-initiated ICR mice. Topical application of asiatic acid prior to each application of TPA resulted in a significant reduction in skin tumor formation. We also found that pre-application of asiatic acid alleviated TPA-induced [3H]thymidine incorporation, which is a conventional marker for skin tumor promotion. In addition, asiatic acid inhibited the TPA-induced generation of nitric oxide (NO) and expression of inducible NO synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), which are known to play important roles in tumor growth, especially in the promotion stage. In addition, topical application of aminoguanidine (AG), a selective iNOS inhibitor, and N(G)-nitro-L-arginine-methyl ester (NAME), another iNOS inhibitor, 30 min prior to TPA treatment significantly inhibited the TPA-induced COX-2 expression. These results suggest that asiatic acid may exert anti-tumorigenesis through inhibitory actions in NO and COX-2 signals.
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25
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Cho CW, Choi DS, Cardone MH, Kim CW, Sinskey AJ, Rha C. Glioblastoma cell death induced by asiatic acid. Cell Biol Toxicol 2006; 22:393-408. [PMID: 16897440 DOI: 10.1007/s10565-006-0104-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2006] [Accepted: 05/31/2006] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Asiatic acid (AA), a triterpene, is known to be cytotoxic to several tumor cell lines. AA induces dose- and time-dependent cell death in U-87 MG human glioblastoma. This cell death occurs via both apoptosis and necrosis. The effect of AA may be cell type-specific as AA-induced cell death was mainly apoptotic in colon cancer RKO cells. AA-induced glioblastoma cell death is associated with decreased mitochondrial membrane potential, activation of caspase-9 and -3, and increased intracellular free Ca2+. Although treatment of glioblastoma cells with the caspase inhibitor zVAD-fmk completely abolished AA-induced caspase activation, it did not significantly block AA-induced cell death. AA-induced cell death was significantly prevented by an intracellular Ca2+ inhibitor, BAPTA/AM. Taken together, these results indicate that AA induces cell death by both apoptosis and necrosis, with Ca2+-mediated necrotic cell death predominating.
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Affiliation(s)
- C W Cho
- Biomaterials Science and Engineering Laboratory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, USA
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26
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Gurfinkel DM, Chow S, Hurren R, Gronda M, Henderson C, Berube C, Hedley DW, Schimmer AD. Disruption of the endoplasmic reticulum and increases in cytoplasmic calcium are early events in cell death induced by the natural triterpenoid Asiatic acid. Apoptosis 2006; 11:1463-71. [PMID: 16820960 DOI: 10.1007/s10495-006-9086-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Triterpenoids are a novel class of compounds being investigated as potential therapeutic agents for the treatment of prostate cancer and other malignancies. Asiatic acid (AA) is a member of the ursane family of triterpenoids and has anticancer activity, but its mechanism of action is not completely understood. To investigate its mechanism of action, PPC-1 prostate cancer cells were treated with AA at increasing concentrations and times. AA induced rapid caspase-dependent and independent cell death that peaked within 8 h of treatment. AA-induced death was associated with early activation of caspases 2, 3, and 8, but not caspase 9. Within 2.5 h of treatment, release of calcium from intracellular stores and dilatation of the endoplasmic reticulum was observed. Thus, disruption of the endoplasmic reticulum and alterations in calcium homeostasis are early events in AA-induced death.
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Affiliation(s)
- Debbie M Gurfinkel
- The Princess Margaret Hospital and the Ontario Cancer Institute, Rm 9-516, 610 University Ave, M5G 2M9, Toronto, ON, Canada
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