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Gao Y, Li Y, Zhu Y, Luo Q, Lu Y, Wen K, Du B, Xi X, Li G. Emodin is a Potential Drug Targeting CD44-positive Hepatocellular Cancer. Curr Cancer Drug Targets 2024; 24:510-518. [PMID: 38099524 DOI: 10.2174/0115680096256913231101103719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2023] [Revised: 09/08/2023] [Accepted: 09/22/2023] [Indexed: 05/29/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Liver cancer is one of the most prevalent forms of cancer of the digestive system in our country. The most common subtype of this disease is hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Currently, treatment options for HCC patients include surgical resection, liver transplantation, radiofrequency ablation, chemoembolization, and biologic-targeted therapy. However, the efficacy of these treatments is suboptimal, as they are prone to drug resistance, metastasis, spread, and recurrence. These attributes are closely related to cancer stem cells (CSCs). Therefore, the utilization of drugs targeting CSCs may effectively inhibit the development and recurrence of HCC. METHODS HepG2 and Huh7 cells were used to analyze the antitumor activity of emodin by quantifying cell growth and metastasis, as well as to study its effect on stemness. RESULTS Emodin effectively suppressed the growth and movement of HCC cells. Emodin also significantly inhibited the proliferation of CD44-positive hepatoma cells. CONCLUSION Emodin shows promise as a potential therapeutic agent for HCC by targeting CD44-- positive hepatoma cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan Gao
- Department of General Medicine, Renmin Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan City, Hubei Province, 442000, P.R. China
| | - Youling Li
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Renmin Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan City, Hubei Province, 442000, P.R. China
| | - Yunhe Zhu
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Renmin Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan City, Hubei Province, 442000, P.R. China
| | - Qiao Luo
- Department of General Medicine, Renmin Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan City, Hubei Province, 442000, P.R. China
| | - Yifeng Lu
- Department of General Medicine, Renmin Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan City, Hubei Province, 442000, P.R. China
| | - Ke Wen
- Department of General Medicine, Renmin Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan City, Hubei Province, 442000, P.R. China
| | - Boyu Du
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Renmin Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan City, Hubei Province, 442000, P.R. China
- Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan City, Hubei Province, 442000, P.R. China
| | - Xueyan Xi
- Department of General Medicine, Renmin Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan City, Hubei Province, 442000, P.R. China
- Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan City, Hubei Province, 442000, P.R. China
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Wudang Local Chinese Medicine Research, Shiyan City, Hubei Province, 442000, P.R. China
| | - Gang Li
- Department of General Medicine, Renmin Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan City, Hubei Province, 442000, P.R. China
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Qian W, Gong G, Su H, Zhao Y, Fu W, Wang Y, Ji W, Sun X, Zhang B, Ma L, Li J, Zhang X, Li S, Sheng E, Lu Y, Zhu D. Hepar-on-a-sensor-platform with hybridization chain reaction amplification strategy to intuitively monitor the hepatoxicity of natural compounds. Acta Biomater 2023; 160:73-86. [PMID: 36804823 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2023.02.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2022] [Revised: 02/09/2023] [Accepted: 02/09/2023] [Indexed: 02/17/2023]
Abstract
The irrational use of natural compounds in the treatment of diseases can lead to serious side effects, especially hepatoxicity, and its toxic effects are usually cumulative and imperceptible. Therefore, an accurate sensing platform is urgently needed to monitor the hepatotoxicity of natural compounds. Here, we deposited a thermo-responsive alginate-RGD/Pluronic hydrogel to construct an in vitro three-dimensional(3D) hepar-platform, and a thorough validation was adopted to evaluate the bioprinted hepatic constructs. The engineered hepar-platform was then employed to access its biological response toward Emodin (EM) and Triptolide (TP), two typical hepatotoxic natural compounds. Subsequently, we integrated it with a robust fluorescent sensor based on hybridization chain reaction amplification strategy (HCR) to monitor the early hepatotoxic biomarker - glutathione-S-transferase-alpha (GST-α) secreted by this 3D constructs. Our study was the first attempt to construct an accurate hepar-on-a-sensor platform that could effectively detect GST-α for monitoring the hepatoxic effects of natural compounds. The limit of detection of the platform was 0.3 ng ml-1 and the accuracy of this platform was verified by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. Furthermore, the variation of GST-α induced by EM and TP was consistent with hepatotoxicity studies, thus providing an important application value for evaluating the hepatotoxicity of natural compounds. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: 1. We deposited a thermo-responsive alginate-RGD/Pluronic hydrogel to construct an in vitro three-dimensional(3D) hepar-platform, and elucidated the essential reasons why hybrid bioinks more suitable for 3D extrusion from biomaterials itself. Also, a thorough validation associated with a series of important proteins and genes involved in liver cell metabolism was adopted to evaluate the bioprinted hepatic constructs accurately 2. Glutathione-S-transferase-alpha is a soluble trace biomarker for acute hepatotoxic injury, the hepatotoxic effects of natural compounds on the secretion of GST-α has not been reported to date. We integrated our 3D hepar-platform with recognition molecules-aptamers and HCR amplification strategy to monitor the variation of GST-α, aiming at developing a robust and stable fluorescent biosensing platform to monitor the hepatoxicity of natural compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenhui Qian
- School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine,Nanjing, Jiangsu 210023, PR China; Department of Pharmacy, Jinling Hospital, Nanjing University School of Medicine, Nanjing 210002, PR China
| | - Guangming Gong
- Department of Pharmacy, Jinling Hospital, Nanjing University School of Medicine, Nanjing 210002, PR China
| | - Hua Su
- Department of Pharmacy, Jinling Hospital, Nanjing University School of Medicine, Nanjing 210002, PR China
| | - Yang Zhao
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Medicine & Holistic Integrative Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, PR China
| | - Wenjuan Fu
- School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine,Nanjing, Jiangsu 210023, PR China
| | - Yuting Wang
- School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine,Nanjing, Jiangsu 210023, PR China
| | - Wenwen Ji
- School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine,Nanjing, Jiangsu 210023, PR China
| | - Xuetong Sun
- School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine,Nanjing, Jiangsu 210023, PR China
| | - Bei Zhang
- School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine,Nanjing, Jiangsu 210023, PR China
| | - Lijuan Ma
- School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine,Nanjing, Jiangsu 210023, PR China
| | - Jianting Li
- School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine,Nanjing, Jiangsu 210023, PR China
| | - Xiangying Zhang
- School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine,Nanjing, Jiangsu 210023, PR China
| | - Su Li
- School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine,Nanjing, Jiangsu 210023, PR China
| | - Enze Sheng
- School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine,Nanjing, Jiangsu 210023, PR China
| | - Yin Lu
- School of Pharmacy, Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, PR China.
| | - Dong Zhu
- School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine,Nanjing, Jiangsu 210023, PR China.
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Avan İ, Akbulut VM. Synthesis and Antioxidant Evaluation of O-Methylated Emodacidamides: Starting from Parietin, a Secondary Metabolite of Lichen Xanthoria parietina. Chem Biodivers 2023; 20:e202200771. [PMID: 36512748 DOI: 10.1002/cbdv.202200771] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2022] [Revised: 11/30/2022] [Accepted: 12/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Polyhydroxy-anthraquinones bearing amino acids are found rather seldom in nature. Emodacidamides, isolated from a marine-derived fungus, Penicillium sp. SCSIO sof101 by Luo et al. (2017) are the first natural example of amino acid conjugated anthraquinone. In this study, O-methylated emodacidamides and emodinic acid-anilides were synthesized starting from parietin, extracted from the lichen Xanthoria parietina (L.) Th. Fr. The structural elucidations of prepared compounds were confirmed by 1D and 2D NMR analyses including HSQC and HMBC techniques. In addition, all newly synthesized compounds were evaluated for the antioxidant activities with free radical 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging. The synthesized compounds showed low to moderate antioxidant and DPPH scavenging activities. The antioxidant activities were supported within quantum chemical calculations using the DFT-B3LYP/6-311++G(d,p) level of theory. It is observed that the antioxidant activity of emodacidamides mostly depends on the phenolic groups on anthraquinone ring. The phenolic groups on other substituents help to improve antioxidant activity and also the position of hydroxy group is a decisive factor for antioxidant ability.
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Affiliation(s)
- İlker Avan
- Eskisehir Technical University, Faculty of Science, Department of Chemistry, Eskişehir, Türkiye
| | - Volkan Mustafa Akbulut
- Eskisehir Technical University, Faculty of Science, Department of Chemistry, Eskişehir, Türkiye
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Effects of Natural Rheum tanguticum on the Cell Wall Integrity of Resistant Phytopathogenic Pectobacterium carotovorum subsp. Carotovorum. MOLECULES (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 27:molecules27165291. [PMID: 36014529 PMCID: PMC9414576 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27165291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2022] [Revised: 08/10/2022] [Accepted: 08/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
The abuse of agricultural antibiotics has led to the emergence of drug-resistant phytopathogens. Rifampicin and streptomycin and streptomycin resistance Pectobacterium carotovorum subsp. carotovorum (PccS1) was obtained from pathological plants in a previous experiment. Rheum tanguticum, derived from the Chinese plateau area, exhibits excellent antibacterial activity against PccS1, yet the action mode has not been fully understood. In present text, the cell wall integrity of the PccS1 was tested by the variation of the cellular proteins, SDS polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometer (FTIR) characteristics. Label-free quantitative proteomics was further used to identify the DEPs in the pathogen response to treatment with Rheum tanguticum Maxim. ex Balf. extract (abbreviated as RTMBE). Based on the bioinformatics analysis of these different expressed proteins (DEPs), RTMBE mainly inhibited some key protein expressions of beta-Lactam resistance, a two-component system and phosphotransferase system. Most of these membrane proteins were extraordinarily suppressed, which was also consistent with the morphological tests. In addition, from the downregulated flagellar motility related proteins, it was also speculated that RTMBE played an essential antibacterial role by affecting the swimming motility of the cells. The results indicated that Rheum tanguticum can be used to attenuate the virulence of the drug-resistant phytopathogenic bacteria.
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Qin B, Zeng Z, Xu J, Shangwen J, Ye ZJ, Wang S, Wu Y, Peng G, Wang Q, Gu W, Tang Y. Emodin inhibits invasion and migration of hepatocellular carcinoma cells via regulating autophagy-mediated degradation of snail and β-catenin. BMC Cancer 2022; 22:671. [PMID: 35715752 PMCID: PMC9206273 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-022-09684-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2021] [Accepted: 05/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Previous studies reported that emodin extracted from Rheum palmatum L. exerts antiproliferation and antimetastatic effects in a variety of human cancer types. However, the role of emodin in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remain unknown. Methods EdU and colony formation assays were performed to evaluate the effects of emodin on proliferation. The mobility capacities of HCC treated with emodin were evaluated using wound healing assay. Transwell invasion and migration assays were performed to evaluate anti-migratory and anti-invasive effects of emodin on HCC. Annexin V-FITC/PI was performed to analyze the apoptosis. PI stain was performed to analyze cell cycle. RNA sequencing technology was used to identify the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) induced by emodin in HCC. The impact of emodin on autophagic flux in HepG2 cells was examined by mCherry-GFP-LC3 analysis. Western blot was used to assess the protein expressions of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), autophagy, PI3K/AKT/mTOR and Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. Results We found that emodin inhibited the growth of HepG2 cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner. In addition, emodin inhibited cell proliferation, induced S and G2/M phases arrest, and promoted apoptosis in HepG2 cells. The migration and invasion of HepG2 cells were also suppressed by emodin. Enrichment analysis revealed that DEGs involved in cell adhesion, cancer metastasis and cell cycle arrest. Moreover, western bolt results show that emodin-induced autophagy promotes Snail and β-catenin degradation. We also found that blocking autophagic flux after emodin treatment caused EMT reversal. Furthermore, the PI3K agonist Y-P 740 significantly reversed the phosphorylation levels of GSK3β and mTOR. These results indicated that emodin induced autophagy and inhibited the EMT in part through suppression of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR and Wnt/β-catenin pathways. Conclusion Our study indicated that emodin inhibited cell metastasis in HCC via the crosstalk between autophagy and EMT. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12885-022-09684-0.
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Affiliation(s)
- Binyu Qin
- Institute of Tumor, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China.,Science and Technology Innovation Center, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China.,Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhili Zeng
- Institute of Tumor, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China.,Science and Technology Innovation Center, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China.,Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jianliang Xu
- Hepatobilliary Surgery Department, The Third affiliated Hospital of Su Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jing Shangwen
- Science and Technology Innovation Center, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zeng Jie Ye
- Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shutang Wang
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yanheng Wu
- Gillion ITM Research Institute, Guangzhou Hongkeyuan, Guangzhou, China
| | - Gongfeng Peng
- Gillion ITM Research Institute, Guangzhou Hongkeyuan, Guangzhou, China
| | - Qi Wang
- Science and Technology Innovation Center, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China.
| | - Wenyi Gu
- Gillion ITM Research Institute, Guangzhou Hongkeyuan, Guangzhou, China. .,Australian Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland, QLD, Brisbane, 4072, Australia.
| | - Ying Tang
- Institute of Tumor, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China. .,Science and Technology Innovation Center, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China. .,Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China.
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McDonald SJ, VanderVeen BN, Velazquez KT, Enos RT, Fairman CM, Cardaci TD, Fan D, Murphy EA. Therapeutic Potential of Emodin for Gastrointestinal Cancers. Integr Cancer Ther 2022; 21:15347354211067469. [PMID: 34984952 PMCID: PMC8738880 DOI: 10.1177/15347354211067469] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2021] [Revised: 11/24/2021] [Accepted: 11/30/2021] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Gastrointestinal (GI) cancers cause one-third of all cancer-related deaths worldwide. Natural compounds are emerging as alternative or adjuvant cancer therapies given their distinct advantage of manipulating multiple pathways to both suppress tumor growth and alleviate cancer comorbidities; however, concerns regarding efficacy, bioavailability, and safety are barriers to their development for clinical use. Emodin (1,3,8-trihydroxy-6-methylanthraquinone), a Chinese herb-derived anthraquinone, has been shown to exert anti-tumor effects in colon, liver, and pancreatic cancers. While the mechanisms underlying emodin's tumoricidal effects continue to be unearthed, recent evidence highlights a role for mitochondrial mediated apoptosis, modulated stress and inflammatory signaling pathways, and blunted angiogenesis. The goals of this review are to (1) highlight emodin's anti-cancer properties within GI cancers, (2) discuss the known anti-cancer mechanisms of action of emodin, (3) address emodin's potential as a treatment complementary to standard chemotherapeutics, (4) assess the efficacy and bioavailability of emodin derivatives as they relate to cancer, and (5) evaluate the safety of emodin.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Daping Fan
- University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, USA
- AcePre, LLC, Columbia, SC, USA
| | - E. Angela Murphy
- University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, USA
- AcePre, LLC, Columbia, SC, USA
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Ri MH, Ma J, Jin X. Development of natural products for anti-PD-1/PD-L1 immunotherapy against cancer. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2021; 281:114370. [PMID: 34214644 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2021.114370] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2021] [Revised: 06/13/2021] [Accepted: 06/23/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE The programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1)/programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) immune checkpoint is one of the most promising therapeutic targets for cancer immunotherapy, but several challenges remain in current anti-PD-1/PD-L1 therapy. Natural products, mainly derived from traditional medicine, could improve and expand anti-PD-1/PD-L1 therapy because of their advantages such as large diversity and multi-target effects. AIM OF THE STUDY This review summarize natural products, raw extracts, and traditional medicines with pharmacological effects associated with the PD-1/PD-L1 axis, particularly PD-L1. MATERIALS AND METHODS Electronic literature databases, including Web of Science, PubMed, and ScienceDirect, and online drugs and chemicals databases, including DrugBank, ZINC, PubChem, STITCH, and CTD, were searched without date limitation by February 2021. 'Natural product or herb or herbal plant or traditional medicine' and 'PD-L1' and 'Cancer immunotherapy' were used as the search keywords. Among 112 articles identified in database searching, 54 articles are full text articles, reporting in silico, in vitro, in vivo and clinical trials. 68 articles included are review articles and grey literature such as thesis and congress abstracts. RESULTS Several natural products and traditional medicines have exhibited diverse and multi-functional effects including direct blockade of PD-1/PD-L1 interactions, modulation of PD-L1 expression, and cooperation with PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors. CONCLUSION Natural products and traditional medicines can facilitate the development of more effective and acceptable diverse strategies for anti-PD-1/PD-L1 therapy, but further exploration of natural products and pharmaceutical techniques is required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Myong Hak Ri
- Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines of the Changbai Mountain, Ministry of Education, Molecular Medicine Research Center, College of Pharmacy, Yanbian University, Yanji, 133002, Jilin Province, China; Faculty of Life Science, Kim Il Sung University, Pyongyang, Democratic People's Republic of Korea
| | - Juan Ma
- Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines of the Changbai Mountain, Ministry of Education, Molecular Medicine Research Center, College of Pharmacy, Yanbian University, Yanji, 133002, Jilin Province, China.
| | - Xuejun Jin
- Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines of the Changbai Mountain, Ministry of Education, Molecular Medicine Research Center, College of Pharmacy, Yanbian University, Yanji, 133002, Jilin Province, China.
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Horvat M, Avbelj M, Durán-Alonso MB, Banjanac M, Petković H, Iskra J. Antiviral Activities of Halogenated Emodin Derivatives against Human Coronavirus NL63. Molecules 2021; 26:6825. [PMID: 34833917 PMCID: PMC8618202 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26226825] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2021] [Revised: 11/06/2021] [Accepted: 11/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The current COVID-19 outbreak has highlighted the need for the development of new vaccines and drugs to combat Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome-Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2). Recently, various drugs have been proposed as potentially effective against COVID-19, such as remdesivir, infliximab and imatinib. Natural plants have been used as an alternative source of drugs for thousands of years, and some of them are effective for the treatment of various viral diseases. Emodin (1,3,8-trihydroxy-6-methylanthracene-9,10-dione) is a biologically active anthraquinone with antiviral activity that is found in various plants. We studied the selectivity of electrophilic aromatic substitution reactions on an emodin core (halogenation, nitration and sulfonation), which resulted in a library of emodin derivatives. The main aim of this work was to carry out an initial evaluation of the potential to improve the activity of emodin against human coronavirus NL63 (HCoV-NL63) and also to generate a set of initial SAR guidelines. We have prepared emodin derivatives which displayed significant anti-HCoV-NL63 activity. We observed that halogenation of emodin can improve its antiviral activity. The most active compound in this study was the iodinated emodin analogue E_3I, whose anti-HCoV-NL63 activity was comparable to that of remdesivir. Evaluation of the emodin analogues also revealed some unwanted toxicity to Vero cells. Since new synthetic routes are now available that allow modification of the emodin structure, it is reasonable to expect that analogues with significantly improved anti-HCoV-NL63 activity and lowered toxicity may thus be generated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monika Horvat
- Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Technology, University of Ljubljana, Večna pot 113, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia;
| | - Martina Avbelj
- Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Jamnikarjeva 101, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia;
| | - María Beatriz Durán-Alonso
- Unit of Excellence, Institute of Biology and Molecular Genetics (IBGM), University of Valladolid-CSIC, 47003 Valladolid, Spain;
| | - Mihailo Banjanac
- Fidelta d.o.o., Prilaz baruna Filipovića 29, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia;
| | - Hrvoje Petković
- Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Jamnikarjeva 101, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia;
| | - Jernej Iskra
- Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Technology, University of Ljubljana, Večna pot 113, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia;
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Zheng Q, Li S, Li X, Liu R. Advances in the study of emodin: an update on pharmacological properties and mechanistic basis. Chin Med 2021; 16:102. [PMID: 34629100 PMCID: PMC8504117 DOI: 10.1186/s13020-021-00509-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2021] [Accepted: 09/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Rhei Radix et Rhizoma, also known as rhubarb or Da Huang, has been widely used as a spice and as traditional herbal medicine for centuries, and is currently marketed in China as the principal herbs in various prescriptions, such as Da-Huang-Zhe-Chong pills and Da-Huang-Qing-Wei pills. Emodin, a major bioactive anthraquinone derivative extracted from rhubarb, represents multiple health benefits in the treatment of a host of diseases, such as immune-inflammatory abnormality, tumor progression, bacterial or viral infections, and metabolic syndrome. Emerging evidence has made great strides in clarifying the multi-targeting therapeutic mechanisms underlying the efficacious therapeutic potential of emodin, including anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, anti-fibrosis, anti-tumor, anti-viral, anti-bacterial, and anti-diabetic properties. This comprehensive review aims to provide an updated summary of recent developments on these pharmacological efficacies and molecular mechanisms of emodin, with a focus on the underlying molecular targets and signaling networks. We also reviewed recent attempts to improve the pharmacokinetic properties and biological activities of emodin by structural modification and novel material-based targeted delivery. In conclusion, emodin still has great potential to become promising therapeutic options to immune and inflammation abnormality, organ fibrosis, common malignancy, pathogenic bacteria or virus infections, and endocrine disease or disorder. Scientifically addressing concerns regarding the poor bioavailability and vague molecular targets would significantly contribute to the widespread acceptance of rhubarb not only as a dietary supplement in food flavorings and colorings but also as a health-promoting TCM in the coming years.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qi Zheng
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, 11 Bei San Huan Dong Lu, Beijing, 100029, China
| | - Shuo Li
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, 11 Bei San Huan Dong Lu, Beijing, 100029, China
| | - Xiaojiaoyang Li
- School of Life Sciences, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, 11 Bei San Huan Dong Lu, Beijing, 100029, China
| | - Runping Liu
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, 11 Bei San Huan Dong Lu, Beijing, 100029, China.
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The Health Benefits of Emodin, a Natural Anthraquinone Derived from Rhubarb-A Summary Update. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22179522. [PMID: 34502424 PMCID: PMC8431459 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22179522] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2021] [Revised: 08/27/2021] [Accepted: 08/30/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Emodin (6-methyl-1,3,8-trihydroxyanthraquinone) is a naturally occurring anthraquinone derivative found in roots and leaves of various plants, fungi and lichens. For a long time it has been used in traditional Chinese medicine as an active ingredient in herbs. Among other sources, it is isolated from the rhubarb Rheum palmatum or tuber fleece-flower Polygonam multiflorum. Emodin has a wide range of biological activities, including diuretic, antibacterial, antiulcer, anti-inflammatory, anticancer and antinociceptive. According to the most recent studies, emodin acts as an antimalarial and antiallergic agent, and can also reverse resistance to chemotherapy. In the present work the potential therapeutic role of emodin in treatment of inflammatory diseases, cancers and microbial infections is analysed.
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Paudel P, Shrestha S, Park SE, Seong SH, Fauzi FM, Jung HA, Choi JS. Emodin Derivatives as Multi-Target-Directed Ligands Inhibiting Monoamine Oxidase and Antagonizing Vasopressin V 1A Receptors. ACS OMEGA 2020; 5:26720-26731. [PMID: 33110998 PMCID: PMC7581273 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.0c03649] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2020] [Accepted: 09/23/2020] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
The brain neurotransmitter level is associated with the pathology of various neurodegenerative diseases, and age-dependent increase in the blood level of vasopressin, human brain monoamine oxidase (hMAO) level, oxidative stress, and imbalance in aminergic signaling are common disease-modifying factors leading to various neurodegenerative disorders. Based on the reports of emodin in hMAO inhibition and antagonist effect on the vasopressin V1A receptor, in this study we synthesized six emodin derivatives and evaluated their effects on MAO activity and G protein-coupled receptors. Among them, 4-hydroxyemodin and 5-hydroxyemodin were potent inhibitors of hMAO, and 2-hydroxyemodin and 5-hydroxyemodin were good V1AR antagonists. In silico molecular docking simulation revealed that the hydroxyl group at C2, C4, and C5 of the respective compounds interacted with prime residues, which corroborates the in vitro effect. Likewise, these three derivatives were predicted to have good drug-like properties. Overall, our study demonstrates that the hydroxyl derivatives of emodin are multi-target-directed ligands that may act as leads for the design and development of a therapy for central nervous system disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pradeep Paudel
- Department
of Food and Life Science, Pukyong National
University, Busan 48513, Republic of Korea
- National
Center for Natural Products Research, The
University of Mississippi, Oxford, Mississippi 38677, United States
| | - Srijan Shrestha
- Discipline
of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Science, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia 5005, Australia
| | - Se Eun Park
- Department
of Food and Life Science, Pukyong National
University, Busan 48513, Republic of Korea
| | - Su Hui Seong
- Department
of Food and Life Science, Pukyong National
University, Busan 48513, Republic of Korea
| | - Fazlin Mohd Fauzi
- Department
of Pharmacology and Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Selangor Branch, Puncak Alam Campus, Bandar Puncak Alam, Selangor 42300, Malaysia
| | - Hyun Ah Jung
- Department
of Food Science and Human Nutrition, Jeonbuk
National University, Jeonju 54896, Republic of Korea
- . Phone: 82-63-270-4882. Fax: 82-63-270-3854
| | - Jae Sue Choi
- Department
of Food and Life Science, Pukyong National
University, Busan 48513, Republic of Korea
- . Phone: +82-51-629-5845. Fax: +82 51 629 5842
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Li Y, Guo F, Chen T, Zhang L, Wang Z, Su Q, Feng L. Design, Synthesis, Molecular Docking, and Biological Evaluation of New Emodin Anthraquinone Derivatives as Potential Antitumor Substances. Chem Biodivers 2020; 17:e2000328. [PMID: 32627416 DOI: 10.1002/cbdv.202000328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2020] [Accepted: 07/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The emodin anthraquinone derivatives are generally used in traditional Chinese medicine due to their various pharmacological activities. In the present study, a series of emodin anthraquinone derivatives have been designed and synthesized, among which 1,3-dihydroxy-6,8-dimethoxyanthracene-9,10-dione is a natural compound that has been synthesized for the very first time, and 1,3-dimethoxy-5,8-dimethylanthracene-9,10-dione is a compound that has never been reported earlier. Interestingly, while total seven of these compounds showed neuraminidase inhibitory activity in influenza virus with inhibition rate more than 50 %, specific four compounds exhibited significant inhibition of tumor cell proliferation. The further results demonstrate that 1,3-dimethoxy-5,8-dimethylanthracene-9,10-dione showed the best anticancer activity among all the synthesized compounds by inducing highest apoptosis rate to HCT116 cancer cells and arresting their G0/G1 cell cycle phase, through elevation of intracellular level of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Moreover, the binding of 1,3-dimethoxy-5,8-dimethylanthracene-9,10-dione with BSA protein has thoroughly been investigated. Altogether, this study suggests the neuraminidase inhibitory activity and antitumor potential of the new emodin anthraquinone derivatives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuying Li
- Key Laboratory for Chemical Biology and Molecular Engineering of Ministry of Education, Institute of Biotechnology, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, 030006, P. R. China
| | - Fang Guo
- Key Laboratory for Chemical Biology and Molecular Engineering of Ministry of Education, Institute of Biotechnology, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, 030006, P. R. China
| | - Tinggui Chen
- Key Laboratory for Chemical Biology and Molecular Engineering of Ministry of Education, Institute of Biotechnology, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, 030006, P. R. China
| | - Liwei Zhang
- Key Laboratory for Chemical Biology and Molecular Engineering of Ministry of Education, Institute of Biotechnology, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, 030006, P. R. China
| | - Zhuanhua Wang
- Key Laboratory for Chemical Biology and Molecular Engineering of Ministry of Education, Institute of Biotechnology, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, 030006, P. R. China
| | - Qiang Su
- Key Laboratory for Chemical Biology and Molecular Engineering of Ministry of Education, Institute of Biotechnology, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, 030006, P. R. China
| | - Liheng Feng
- Key Laboratory for Chemical Biology and Molecular Engineering of Ministry of Education, Institute of Biotechnology, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, 030006, P. R. China
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13
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Li Y, Guo F, Guan Y, Chen T, Ma K, Zhang L, Wang Z, Su Q, Feng L, Liu Y, Zhou Y. Novel Anthraquinone Compounds Inhibit Colon Cancer Cell Proliferation via the Reactive Oxygen Species/JNK Pathway. Molecules 2020; 25:molecules25071672. [PMID: 32260423 PMCID: PMC7180728 DOI: 10.3390/molecules25071672] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2020] [Revised: 04/02/2020] [Accepted: 04/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
A series of amide anthraquinone derivatives, an important component of some traditional Chinese medicines, were structurally modified and the resulting antitumor activities were evaluated. The compounds showed potent anti-proliferative activities against eight human cancer cell lines, with no noticeable cytotoxicity towards normal cells. Among the candidate compounds, 1-nitro-2-acyl anthraquinone-leucine (8a) showed the greatest inhibition of HCT116 cell activity with an IC50 of 17.80 μg/mL. In addition, a correlation model was established in a three-dimensional quantitative structure-activity relationship (3D-QSAR) study using Comparative Molecular Field Analysis (CoMFA) and comparative molecular similarity index analysis (CoMSIA). Moreover, compound 8a effectively killed tumor cells by reactive oxygen species (ROS)-JNK activation, causing an increase in ROS levels, JNK phosphorylation, and mitochondrial stress. Cytochrome c was then released into cytoplasm, which, in turn activated the cysteine protease pathway and ultimately induced tumor cell apoptosis, suggesting a potential use of this compound for colon cancer treatment.
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14
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Tian W, Wang C, Li D, Hou H. Novel anthraquinone compounds as anticancer agents and their potential mechanism. Future Med Chem 2020; 12:627-644. [PMID: 32175770 DOI: 10.4155/fmc-2019-0322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Anthraquinones exhibit a unique anticancer activity. Since their discovery, medicinal chemists have made several structural modifications, resulting in the design and synthesis of a large number of novel anthraquinone compounds with different biological activities. In general, anthraquinone compounds have been considered to have anticancer activity mainly through DNA damage, cycle arrest and apoptosis. However, recent studies have shown that novel anthraquinone compounds may also inhibit cancer through paraptosis, autophagy, radiosensitising, overcoming chemoresistance and other methods. This Review article provides an overview of novel anthraquinone compounds that have been developed as anticancer agents in recent years and focuses on their anticancer mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Tian
- College of Pharmacy, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning 530021, China
| | - Chunmiao Wang
- College of Pharmacy, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning 530021, China
| | - Danrong Li
- Life Sciences Institute, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning 530021, China
| | - Huaxin Hou
- College of Pharmacy, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning 530021, China
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