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Bomfim LM, Neves SP, Coelho AMRM, Nogueira ML, Dias RB, Valverde LDF, Rocha CAG, Soares MBP, Batista AA, Correa RS, Bezerra DP. Ru(II)-based complexes containing 2-thiouracil derivatives suppress liver cancer stem cells by targeting NF-κB and Akt/mTOR signaling. Cell Death Discov 2024; 10:270. [PMID: 38830859 PMCID: PMC11148080 DOI: 10.1038/s41420-024-02036-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2023] [Revised: 05/16/2024] [Accepted: 05/21/2024] [Indexed: 06/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are defined as a rare population of cancer cells related to tumor initiation and maintenance. These cells are primarily responsible for tumor growth, invasion, metastasis, recurrence, and resistance to chemotherapy. In this paper, we demonstrated the ability of Ru(II)-based complexes containing 2-thiouracil derivatives with the chemical formulas trans-[Ru(2TU)(PPh3)2(bipy)]PF6 (1) and trans-[Ru(6m2TU)(PPh3)2(bipy)]PF6 (2) (where 2TU = 2-thiouracil and 6m2TU = 6-methyl-2-thiouracil) to suppress liver CSCs by targeting NF-κB and Akt/mTOR signaling. Complexes 1 and 2 displayed potent cytotoxic effects on cancer cell lines and suppressed liver CSCs from HepG2 cells. Increased phosphatidylserine exposure, loss of mitochondrial transmembrane potential, increased PARP (Asp214) cleavage, DNA fragmentation, chromatin condensation and cytoplasmic shrinkage were detected in HepG2 cells treated with these complexes. Mechanistically, complexes 1 and 2 target NF-κB and Akt/mTOR signaling in HepG2 cells. Cell motility inhibition was also detected in HepG2 cells treated with these complexes. Complexes 1 and 2 also inhibited tumor progression in mice with HepG2 cell xenografts and exhibited tolerable systemic toxicity. Taken together, these results indicate that these complexes are new anti-HCC drug candidates that can suppress liver CSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Larissa M Bomfim
- Gonçalo Moniz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (IGM-FIOCRUZ/BA), Salvador, Bahia, 40296-710, Brazil
| | - Sara P Neves
- Gonçalo Moniz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (IGM-FIOCRUZ/BA), Salvador, Bahia, 40296-710, Brazil
| | - Amanda M R M Coelho
- Gonçalo Moniz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (IGM-FIOCRUZ/BA), Salvador, Bahia, 40296-710, Brazil
| | - Mateus L Nogueira
- Gonçalo Moniz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (IGM-FIOCRUZ/BA), Salvador, Bahia, 40296-710, Brazil
| | - Rosane B Dias
- Gonçalo Moniz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (IGM-FIOCRUZ/BA), Salvador, Bahia, 40296-710, Brazil
- Department of Propedeutics, School of Dentistry of the Federal University of Bahia, Salvador, Bahia, 40110-909, Brazil
- Department of Biological Sciences, State University of Feira de Santana, Feira de Santana, Bahia, 44036-900, Brazil
| | - Ludmila de F Valverde
- Gonçalo Moniz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (IGM-FIOCRUZ/BA), Salvador, Bahia, 40296-710, Brazil
- Department of Dentistry, Federal University of Sergipe, Lagarto, Sergipe, 49400-000, Brazil
| | - Clarissa A G Rocha
- Gonçalo Moniz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (IGM-FIOCRUZ/BA), Salvador, Bahia, 40296-710, Brazil
- Department of Propedeutics, School of Dentistry of the Federal University of Bahia, Salvador, Bahia, 40110-909, Brazil
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine of the Federal University of Bahia, Salvador, Bahia, 40110-909, Brazil
- Center for Biotechnology and Cell Therapy, D'Or Institute for Research and Education (IDOR), Salvador, Bahia, 41253-190, Brazil
| | - Milena B P Soares
- Gonçalo Moniz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (IGM-FIOCRUZ/BA), Salvador, Bahia, 40296-710, Brazil
- SENAI Institute of Innovation (ISI) in Health Advanced Systems, University Center SENAI/CIMATEC, Salvador, Bahia, 41650-010, Brazil
| | - Alzir A Batista
- Department of Chemistry, Federal University of São Carlos, São Paulo, São Carlos, 13561-901, Brazil
| | - Rodrigo S Correa
- Department of Chemistry, Federal University of Ouro Preto, Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais, 35400-000, Brazil
| | - Daniel P Bezerra
- Gonçalo Moniz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (IGM-FIOCRUZ/BA), Salvador, Bahia, 40296-710, Brazil.
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Silva VR, Santos LDS, de Castro MVL, Dias RB, Valverde LDF, Rocha CAG, Soares MBP, Quadros CA, Correa RS, Batista AA, Bezerra DP. A novel ruthenium complex with 5-fluorouracil suppresses colorectal cancer stem cells by inhibiting Akt/mTOR signaling. Cell Death Discov 2023; 9:460. [PMID: 38104089 PMCID: PMC10725484 DOI: 10.1038/s41420-023-01759-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2023] [Revised: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 11/30/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023] Open
Abstract
[Ru(5-FU)(PPh3)2(bipy)]PF6 (Ru/5-FU) is a novel ruthenium complex with 5-fluorouracil with promising potential against colorectal cancer (CRC). In the present study, we investigated the molecular mechanism of Ru/5-FU action in HCT116 CRC cells. Ru/5-FU exhibited potent cytotoxicity on a panel of cancer cell lines and on primary cancer cells and induced apoptosis in HCT116 CRC cells. Ru/5-FU reduced AKT1 gene transcripts, as well as the expression of Akt1 and Akt (pS473) and downstream Akt proteins mTOR (pS2448), S6 (pS235/pS236), 4EBP1 (pT36/pT45), GSK-3β (pS9) and NF-κB p65 (pS529), but not Akt upstream proteins Hsp90 and PI3K p85/p55 (pT458/pT199), indicating an inhibitory action of Akt/mTOR signaling. Ru/5-FU increased LC3B expression and reduced p62/SQSTM1 levels, indicating autophagy induction. Curiously, the autophagy inhibitors 3-methyladenine and chloroquine increased Ru/5-FU-induced cell death, indicating an induction of cytoprotective autophagy by this compound. Ru/5-FU also reduced clonogenic survival, as well as the percentage of CD133+ cells and colonosphere formation, indicating that Ru/5-FU can suppress stem cells in HCT116 cells. Ru/5-FU inhibited cell migration and invasion in wound healing assays and Transwell cell invasion assays, along with a reduction in vimentin expression and an increase in E-cadherin levels, indicating that Ru/5-FU can interfere with epithelial-mesenchymal transition. Ru/5-FU also inhibited in vivo HCT116 cell development and experimental lung metastases in mouse xenograft models. Altogether, these results indicate that Ru/5-FU is an anti-CRC chemotherapy drug candidate with the ability to suppress stemness in CRC cells by inhibiting Akt/mTOR signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valdenizia R Silva
- Gonçalo Moniz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (IGM-FIOCRUZ/BA), Salvador, Bahia, 40296-710, Brazil
| | - Luciano de S Santos
- Gonçalo Moniz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (IGM-FIOCRUZ/BA), Salvador, Bahia, 40296-710, Brazil
| | - Maria V L de Castro
- Gonçalo Moniz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (IGM-FIOCRUZ/BA), Salvador, Bahia, 40296-710, Brazil
| | - Rosane B Dias
- Gonçalo Moniz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (IGM-FIOCRUZ/BA), Salvador, Bahia, 40296-710, Brazil
- Department of Propedeutics, School of Dentistry of the Federal University of Bahia, Salvador, Bahia, 40110-909, Brazil
| | - Ludmila de F Valverde
- Gonçalo Moniz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (IGM-FIOCRUZ/BA), Salvador, Bahia, 40296-710, Brazil
| | - Clarissa A G Rocha
- Gonçalo Moniz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (IGM-FIOCRUZ/BA), Salvador, Bahia, 40296-710, Brazil
- Department of Propedeutics, School of Dentistry of the Federal University of Bahia, Salvador, Bahia, 40110-909, Brazil
| | - Milena B P Soares
- Gonçalo Moniz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (IGM-FIOCRUZ/BA), Salvador, Bahia, 40296-710, Brazil
- SENAI Institute of Innovation (ISI) in Health Advanced Systems, University Center SENAI/CIMATEC, Salvador, Bahia, 41650-010, Brazil
| | - Claudio A Quadros
- São Rafael Hospital, Rede D'Or/São Luiz, Salvador, Bahia, 41253-190, Brazil
- Bahia State University, Salvador, Bahia, 41150-000, Brazil
| | - Rodrigo S Correa
- Department of Chemistry, Federal University of Ouro Preto, Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais, 35400-000, Brazil
| | - Alzir A Batista
- Department of Chemistry, Federal University of São Carlos, São Carlos, São Paulo, 13561-901, Brazil
| | - Daniel P Bezerra
- Gonçalo Moniz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (IGM-FIOCRUZ/BA), Salvador, Bahia, 40296-710, Brazil.
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He J, Xiong W, Zhao L, Liu B, Huang Y. Anti-α-glucosidase, Anti-proliferative and Anti-enterovirus 71 Activity of Secondary Metabolites Identified from Grifola Frondosa. PLANT FOODS FOR HUMAN NUTRITION (DORDRECHT, NETHERLANDS) 2023; 78:783-789. [PMID: 37812276 DOI: 10.1007/s11130-023-01106-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/14/2023] [Indexed: 10/10/2023]
Abstract
Grifola frondosa, an edible and medicinal resource, is widely used as functional foods worldwide. To explore bioactive compounds against α-glucosidase, human tumor cells and enterovirus 71 (EV71), eight compounds were isolated from G. frondosa by chromatographic column. Among the isolated compounds, heptadecanoic acid, uridine and adenosine exhibited potent inhibition activity against α-glucosidase, ergosterols and ergosterol-5,8-peroxide showed anti-proliferative activity on tumor cells, while ergosterol and methyl linoleate displayed inhibition against the replication of EV71. Also, to our knowledge, this is the first study to report that fatty acids isolated from G. frondosa show potent inhibition against α-glucosidase and EV71. Further molecular docking results revealed that the active compounds in G. frondosa form hydrogen bonding, hydrophobic interactive and π-stacking with the active sites on the surface of α-glucosidase, CASP3 and VP1 proteins, thus promoting the active compounds to combine with the target protein to form a stable complex, thus playing an antagonistic role. Our results could provide a new active compound and mode of action for G. frondosa to treat diabetes, cancer and EV71-infected patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junqiang He
- College of Food Science, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, 350002, Fujian, China
| | - Wenyu Xiong
- College of Food Science, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, 350002, Fujian, China
| | - Lina Zhao
- College of Food Science, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, 350002, Fujian, China
- National Engineering Research Center of JUNCAO Technology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, 350002, China
| | - Bin Liu
- College of Food Science, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, 350002, Fujian, China.
- National Engineering Research Center of JUNCAO Technology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, 350002, China.
| | - Ying Huang
- College of Food Science, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, 350002, Fujian, China.
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Agu PC, Afiukwa CA, Orji OU, Ezeh EM, Ofoke IH, Ogbu CO, Ugwuja EI, Aja PM. Molecular docking as a tool for the discovery of molecular targets of nutraceuticals in diseases management. Sci Rep 2023; 13:13398. [PMID: 37592012 PMCID: PMC10435576 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-40160-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 72.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2023] [Accepted: 08/05/2023] [Indexed: 08/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Molecular docking is a computational technique that predicts the binding affinity of ligands to receptor proteins. Although it has potential uses in nutraceutical research, it has developed into a formidable tool for drug development. Bioactive substances called nutraceuticals are present in food sources and can be used in the management of diseases. Finding their molecular targets can help in the creation of disease-specific new therapies. The purpose of this review was to explore molecular docking's application to the study of dietary supplements and disease management. First, an overview of the fundamentals of molecular docking and the various software tools available for docking was presented. The limitations and difficulties of using molecular docking in nutraceutical research are also covered, including the reliability of scoring functions and the requirement for experimental validation. Additionally, there was a focus on the identification of molecular targets for nutraceuticals in numerous disease models, including those for sickle cell disease, cancer, cardiovascular, gut, reproductive, and neurodegenerative disorders. We further highlighted biochemistry pathways and models from recent studies that have revealed molecular mechanisms to pinpoint new nutraceuticals' effects on disease pathogenesis. It is convincingly true that molecular docking is a useful tool for identifying the molecular targets of nutraceuticals in the management of diseases. It may offer information about how nutraceuticals work and support the creation of new therapeutics. Therefore, molecular docking has a bright future in nutraceutical research and has a lot of potentials to lead to the creation of brand-new medicines for the treatment of disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- P C Agu
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Sciences, Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki, Nigeria.
- Department of Science Laboratory Technology (Biochemistry Option), Our Savior Institute of Science, Agriculture, and Technology, Enugu, Nigeria.
| | - C A Afiukwa
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Sciences, Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki, Nigeria
| | - O U Orji
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Sciences, Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki, Nigeria
| | - E M Ezeh
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Caritas University, Amorji-Nike, Enugu, Nigeria
| | - I H Ofoke
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Sciences, Madonna University, Elele, Rivers State, Nigeria
| | - C O Ogbu
- Department of Biochemistry, Federal University of Health Sciences, Otukpo, Benue State, Nigeria
| | - E I Ugwuja
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Sciences, Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki, Nigeria
| | - P M Aja
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Sciences, Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki, Nigeria.
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, Kampala International University, Ishaka, Uganda.
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Skoczynska A, Lewinski A, Pokora M, Paneth P, Budzisz E. An Overview of the Potential Medicinal and Pharmaceutical Properties of Ru(II)/(III) Complexes. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24119512. [PMID: 37298471 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24119512] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2023] [Revised: 05/25/2023] [Accepted: 05/26/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023] Open
Abstract
This review examines the existing knowledge about Ru(II)/(III) ion complexes with a potential application in medicine or pharmacy, which may offer greater potential in cancer chemotherapy than Pt(II) complexes, which are known to cause many side effects. Hence, much attention has been paid to research on cancer cell lines and clinical trials have been undertaken on ruthenium complexes. In addition to their antitumor activity, ruthenium complexes are under evaluation for other diseases, such as type 2 diabetes, Alzheimer's disease and HIV. Attempts are also being made to evaluate ruthenium complexes as potential photosensitizers with polypyridine ligands for use in cancer chemotherapy. The review also briefly examines theoretical approaches to studying the interactions of Ru(II)/Ru(III) complexes with biological receptors, which can facilitate the rational design of ruthenium-based drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Skoczynska
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases, Medical University of Lodz, 93-338 Lodz, Poland
| | - Andrzej Lewinski
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases, Medical University of Lodz, 93-338 Lodz, Poland
| | - Mateusz Pokora
- International Center of Research on Innovative Biobased Materials (ICRI-BioM)-International Research Agenda, Lodz University of Technology, Zeromskiego 116, 90-924 Lodz, Poland
| | - Piotr Paneth
- International Center of Research on Innovative Biobased Materials (ICRI-BioM)-International Research Agenda, Lodz University of Technology, Zeromskiego 116, 90-924 Lodz, Poland
- Institute of Applied Radiation Chemistry, Lodz University of Technology, Zeromskiego 116, 90-924 Lodz, Poland
| | - Elzbieta Budzisz
- Department of the Chemistry of Cosmetic Raw Materials, Medical University of Lodz, 90-151 Lodz, Poland
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Anwer KE, Sayed GH, Kozakiewicz-Piekarz A, Ramadan RM. Novel annulated thiophene derivatives: Synthesis, spectroscopic, X-ray, Hirshfeld surface analysis, DFT, biological, cytotoxic and molecular docking studies. J Mol Struct 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.molstruc.2022.134798] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
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