Mosloflavone-Resveratrol Hybrid TMS-HDMF-5z Exhibits Potent In Vitro and In Vivo Anti-Inflammatory Effects Through NF-κB, AP-1, and JAK/STAT Inactivation

Effect of Resveratrol on MMP-2 Expression in Scleral Fibroblasts: An In Vitro Study

PURPOSE

To investigate the effects of resveratrol (Res) on human fetal scleral fibroblasts (HFSFs) and its potential mechanism.

METHODS

HFSFs were randomly divided into the Res-treated group and the control group. Following, HFSFs were treated with or without a concentration of 10 μM Res for 48 h. To detect the expression of related genes, reverse transcription quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) and western blotting were used. The apoptosis rate of different groups was determined using flow cytometry.

RESULTS

The mRNA expression of matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP-2), Collagen, Type I, Alpha 1 (COL1A1), Janus Kinase 2 (JAK2), and Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription 3 (STAT3)" was downregulated in the Res-treatment group compared to the control group, according to RT-qPCR. Western blotting revealed that Res therapy reduced the expression of MMP-2, JAK2, P-JAK2, STAT3, P-STAT3, and Bcl-2 associated protein X (Bax) while increasing the expression of COL1A1 and B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2). Flow cytometry showed that the cell apoptosis rate was significantly lower in HFSFs treated with Res.

CONCLUSIONS

In conclusion, these findings suggest that Res increases COL1A1 expression while inhibiting MMP-2 and cell apoptosis in HFSFs, possibly through modulation of the JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway.

ATF family members as therapeutic targets in cancer: From mechanisms to pharmacological interventions

The activating transcription factor (ATF)/ cAMP-response element binding protein (CREB) family represents a large group of basic zone leucine zip (bZIP) transcription factors (TFs) with a variety of physiological functions, such as endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, amino acid stress, heat stress, oxidative stress, integrated stress response (ISR) and thus inducing cell survival or apoptosis. Interestingly, ATF family has been increasingly implicated in autophagy and ferroptosis in recent years. Thus, the ATF family is important for homeostasis and its dysregulation may promote disease progression including cancer. Current therapeutic approaches to modulate the ATF family include direct modulators, upstream modulators, post-translational modifications (PTMs) modulators. This review summarizes the structural domain and the PTMs feature of the ATF/CREB family and comprehensively explores the molecular regulatory mechanisms. On this basis, their pathways affecting proliferation, metastasis, and drug resistance in various types of cancer cells are sorted out and discussed. We then systematically summarize the status of the therapeutic applications of existing ATF family modulators and finally look forward to the future prospect of clinical applications in the treatment of tumors by modulating the ATF family.

Synthesis and biological evaluation of O4'-benzyl-hispidol derivatives and analogs as dual monoamine oxidase-B inhibitors and anti-neuroinflammatory agents

Design, synthesis, and biological evaluation of two series of O4'-benzyl-hispidol derivatives and the analogous corresponding O3'-benzyl derivatives aiming to develop selective monoamine oxidase-B inhibitors endowed with anti-neuroinflammatory activity is reported herein. The first O4'-benzyl-hispidol derivatives series afforded several more potentially active and MAO-B inhibitors than the O3'-benzyl derivatives series. The most potential compound 2e of O4'-benzyl derivatives elicited sub-micromolar MAO-B IC50 of 0.38 µM with a selectivity index >264 whereas most potential compound 3b of O3'-benzyl derivatives showed only 0.95 MAO-B IC50 and a selectivity index >105. Advancement of the most active compounds showing sub-micromolar activities to further cellular evaluations of viability and induced production of pro-neuroinflammatory mediators confirmed compound 2e as a potential lead compound inhibiting the production of the neuroinflammatory mediator nitric oxide significantly by microglial BV2 cells at 3 µM concentration without significant cytotoxicity up to 30 µM. In silico molecular docking study predicted plausible binding modes with MAO enzymes and provided insights at the molecular level. Overall, this report presents compound 2e as a potential lead compound to develop potential multifunctional compounds.

[Inhibitory effect of 5-hydroxy-6,7-dimethoxyflavone on H1N1 influenza virus-induced ferroptosis and inflammation in A549 cells and its possible mechanisms]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the protective effect of 5-hydroxy-6,7-dimethoxyflavone (5-HDF), a compound extracted from Elsholtzia blanda Benth., against lung injury induced by H1N1 influenza virus and explore its possible mechanism of action.

METHODS

5-HDF was extracted from Elsholtzia blanda Benth. using ethanol reflux extraction and silica gel chromatography and characterized using NMR and MS analyses. In an A549 cell model of H1N1 influenza virus infection (MOI=0.1), the cytotoxicity of 5-HDF was assessed using MTT assay, and its effect on TRAIL and IL-8 expressions was examined using flow cytometry; Western blotting was used to detect the expression levels of inflammatory, apoptosis, and ferroptosis-related proteins. In a mouse model of H1N1 influenza virus infection established by nasal instillation of 50 μL H1N1 virus at the median lethal dose, the effects of 30 and 60 mg/kg 5-HDF by gavage on body weight, lung index, gross lung anatomy and lung histopathology were observed.

RESULTS

5-HDF exhibited no significant cytotoxicity in A549 cells within the concentration range of 0-200 μg/mL. In H1N1-infected A549 cells, treatment with 5-HDF effectively inhibited the activation of phospho-p38 MAPK and phospho-NF-κB p65, lowered the expressions of IL-8, enhanced the expression of anti-ferroptosis proteins (SLC7A11 and GPX4), and inhibited the expressions of apoptosis markers PARP and caspase-3 and the apoptotic factor TRAIL. In H1N1-infected mice, treatment with 5-HDF for 7 days significantly suppressed body weight loss and increment of lung index and obviously alleviated lung tissue pathologies.

CONCLUSION

5-HDF offers protection against H1N1 influenza virus infection in mice possibly by suppressing H1N1-induced ferroptosis, inflammatory responses, and apoptosis via upregulating SLC7A11 and GPX4, inhibiting the activation of phospho-NF-κB p65 and phospho-p38 MAPK, and decreasing the expression of cleaved caspase3 and cleaved PARP.

Mosloflavone from Fissistigma petelotii ameliorates oncogenic multidrug resistance by STAT3 signaling modulation and P-glycoprotein blockade

BACKGROUND

Oncogenic multidrug resistance (MDR) is a tough question in cancer therapy. However, no effective medications targeting oncogenic MDR are currently available. Studies have demonstrated that mosloflavone exerts anti-inflammatory effects, yet, its potential to ameliorate MDR remains unclear.

PURPOSE

This study aimed to access the capability and elucidate molecular mechanisms of mosloflavone as a MDR resensitizing candidate.

METHODS

We investigated the ability of mosloflavone to reverse oncogenic MDR and investigated its underlying mechanisms through cytotoxicity assay, cell cycle assay, apoptosis assay, and zebrafish xenograft model. The modulatory interplay between mosloflavone and P-gp was investigated through analysis of calcein-AM uptake, substrate efflux, ATPase assays, and molecular docking simulation.

RESULTS

Mosloflavone inhibited P-gp efflux function in an uncompetitive manner without altering ABCB1 gene expression. In addition, it stimulated P-gp ATPase activity by binding to an active site distinct from that of verapamil. Regarding MDR reversal potential, mosloflavone resensitized MDR cancer cells to chemotherapies by arresting cell cycle and triggering apoptosis, possibly by enhancing reactive oxygen species accumulation and reducing phospho-STAT3. Moreover, in the zebrafish xenograft model, mosloflavone significantly potentiated the antitumor effect of paclitaxel.

CONCLUSION

Our findings underscore the potential of mosloflavone as a novel dual modulator of STAT3 and P-gp, indicating it is a promising candidate for overcoming MDR in cancer treatment.

Design, synthesis, and evaluation of new anti-inflammatory natural products amide derivatives endowed with anti-blood cancer activity towards development of potential multifunctional agents against hematological cancers

New amide derivatives of the natural product 5,6,7-trimethoxyflavanone were designed as multifunctional antiproliferative molecules against blood cancer and the associated inflammatory conditions. The targeted compounds were synthesized efficiently in three linear steps employing known chalcone starting materials. Compounds 2h, 2i, 2l, 2t, 2v and 2x having bromo or nitro substituted-phenyl rings elicited potential inhibitory effects on macrophages production of nitric oxide, PGE₂ and TNF-α which are proinflammatory mediators involved in tumorigenesis and progression of blood cancer. Additionally, evaluation of direct inhibitory effects on the growth of diverse blood cancers including leukemia, lymphoma, and myeloma cell lines unveiled compound 2v as the most potential molecules eliciting at least five-folds the potency of the standard imatinib drug over the used diverse blood cancers. Furthermore, compound 2v showed good selectivity to blood cancer cells rather than normal MRC5 cells. Moreover, compound 2v triggered death of HL60 leukemia cells via apoptosis induction. In conclusion, the natural product-derived compound 2v might serve as a multifunctional lead compound for further development of agents for treatment of blood cancers.

Escaping ESKAPE resistance: in vitro and in silico studies of multifunctional carbamimidoyl-tethered indoles against antibiotic-resistant bacteria

Combining the hybridization and repurposing strategies, six compounds from our in-house library and having a designed hybrid structure of MBX-1162, pentamidine and MMV688271 were repurposed as potential antibacterial agents. Among, compounds 1a and 1d elicited potential sub-µg ml-1 activity against the high-priority antibiotic-resistant Gram-positive members of ESKAPE bacteria as well as antibiotic-susceptible Gram-positive bacteria. Furthermore, they showed potential low µg ml-1 activity against the explored critical-priority antibiotic-resistant Gram-negative members of ESKAPE bacteria. In time-kill assay, compound 1a has effective 0.5 and 0.25 µg ml-1 antibacterial lethal concentrations against MRSA in exponential growth phase. In silico investigations predicted compounds 1a and 1d as inhibitors of the open conformation of undecaprenyl diphosphate synthase involved in bacterial isoprenoid synthesis. In addition, compounds 1a and 1d were predicted as inhibitors of NADPH-free but not NADPH-bound form of ketol-acid reductoisomerase and may also serve as potential B-DNA minor groove binders with possible differences in the molecular sequence recognition. Overall, compounds 1a and 1d are presented as multifunctional potential antibacterial agents for further development against high- and critical-priority Gram-positive and Gram-negative antibiotic-resistant ESKAPE bacterial pathogens as well as antibiotic-susceptible Gram-positive bacterial pathogens.

Bestatin analogs-4-quinolinone hybrids as antileishmanial hits: Design, repurposing rational, synthesis, in vitro and in silico studies

Amongst different forms of leishmaniasis, visceral leishmaniasis caused by L. donovani is highly mortal. Identification of new hit compounds might afford new starting points to develop novel therapeutics. In this lieu, a rationally designed small library of bestatin analogs-4-quinolone hybrids were prepared and evaluated. Analysis of SAR unveiled distinct profiles for hybrids type 1 and type 2, which might arise from their different molecular targets. Amongst type 1 bestatin analog-4-quinolone hybrids, hybrid 1e was identified as potential hit inhibiting growth of L. donovani promastigotes by 91 and 53% at 50 and 25 μM concentrations, respectively. Meanwhile, hybrid 2j was identified amongst type 2 bestatin analog-4-quinolone hybrids as potential hit compound inhibiting growth of L. donovani promastigotes by 50 and 38% at 50 and 25 μM concentrations, respectively. Preliminary safety evaluation of the promising hit compounds showed that they are 50-100 folds safer against human derived monocytic THP-1 cells relative to the drug erufosine. In silico study was conducted to predict the possible binding of hybrid 1e with methionine aminopeptidases 1 and 2 of L. donovani. Molecular dynamic simulations verified the predicted binding modes and provide more in depth understanding of the impact of hybrid 1e on LdMetAP-1 and LdMetAP-2.

The E3 ubiquitin ligase CHIP protects against sepsis-induced myocardial dysfunction by inhibiting NF-κB-mediated inflammation via promoting ubiquitination and degradation of karyopherin-α 2

Cardiac dysfunction has been recognized as a major contributor to mortality in sepsis, which is closely associated with inflammatory reactions. The carboxy terminus of Hsc70-interacting protein (CHIP), a U-box E3 ubiquitin ligase, defends against cardiac injury caused by other factors, but its role in sepsis-induced cardiac dysfunction has yet to be determined. The present study was designed to investigate the effects of CHIP on cardiac dysfunction caused by sepsis and the molecular mechanisms underlying these processes. We discovered that the CHIP level decreased gradually in the heart at different time points after septic model construction. The decline in CHIP expression of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated cardiomyocytes was related to c-Jun activation that inhibited the transcription of CHIP. Functional biology experiments indicated that CHIP bound directly to karyopherin-α 2 (KPNA2) and promoted its degradation through polyubiquitination in cardiomyocytes. CHIP overexpression in cardiomyocytes obviously inhibited LPS-initiated release of TNF-α and IL-6 by promoting KPNA2 degradation, reducing NF-κB translocation into the nucleus. Consistent with the in vitro results, data obtained from animal experiments indicated that septic transgenic mice with heart-specific CHIP overexpression showed a weaker proinflammatory response and reduced cardiac dysfunction than septic control mice. Furthermore, we found that the therapeutic effect of compound YL-109 on cardiac dysfunction in septic mice was due to the upregulation of myocardial CHIP expression. These findings demonstrated that sepsis-initiated the activation of c-Jun suppressed CHIP transcription. CHIP directly promoted ubiquitin-mediated degradation of KPNA2, which reduced the production of proinflammatory cytokines by inhibiting the translocation of NF-κB from the cytoplasm into the nucleus in myocardium, thereby attenuating sepsis-induced cardiac dysfunction.

The Utilization of Physiologically Active Molecular Components of Grape Seeds and Grape Marc

Nutritional interventions may highly contribute to the maintenance or restoration of human health. Grapes (Vitis vinifera) are one of the oldest known beneficial nutritional components of the human diet. Their high polyphenol content has been proven to enhance human health beyond doubt in statistics-based public health studies, especially in the prevention of cardiovascular disease and cancer. The current review concentrates on presenting and classifying polyphenol bioactive molecules (resveratrol, quercetin, catechin/epicatechin, etc.) available in high quantities in Vitis vinifera grapes or their byproducts. The molecular pathways and cellular signaling cascades involved in the effects of these polyphenol molecules are also presented in this review, which summarizes currently available in vitro and in vivo experimental literature data on their biological activities mostly in easily accessible tabular form. New molecules for different therapeutic purposes can also be synthesized based on existing polyphenol compound classes available in high quantities in grape, wine, and grape marc. Therefore an overview of these molecular structures is provided. Novel possibilities as dendrimer nanobioconjugates are reviewed, too. Currently available in vitro and in vivo experimental literature data on polyphenol biological activities are presented in easily accessible tabular form. The scope of the review details the antidiabetic, anticarcinogenic, antiviral, vasoprotective, and neuroprotective roles of grape-origin flavonoids. The novelty of the study lies in the description of the processing of agricultural by-products (grape seeds and skins) of industrial relevance, and the detailed description of the molecular mechanisms of action. In addition, the review of the clinical therapeutic applications of polyphenols is unique as no summary study has yet been done.