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Ramírez RE, Buendia-Corona RE, Pérez-Xochipa I, Scior T. Computational Binding Study Hints at Ecdysone 20-Mono-Oxygenase as the Hitherto Unknown Target for Ring C-Seco Limonoid-Type Insecticides. Molecules 2024; 29:1628. [PMID: 38611907 PMCID: PMC11013123 DOI: 10.3390/molecules29071628] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2024] [Accepted: 03/21/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024] Open
Abstract
The insecticidal property of ring C-seco limonoids has been discovered empirically and the target protein identified, but, to date, the molecular mechanism of action has not been described at the atomic scale. We elucidate on computational grounds whether nine C-seco limonoids present sufficiently high affinity to bind specifically with the putative target enzyme of the insects (ecdysone 20-monooxygenase). To this end, 3D models of ligands and the receptor target were generated and their interaction energies estimated by docking simulations. As a proof of concept, the tetrahydro-isoquinolinyl propenamide derivative QHC is the reference ligand bound to aldosterone synthase in the complex with PDB entry 4ZGX. It served as the 3D template for target modeling via homology. QHC was successfully docked back to its crystal pose in a one-digit nanomolar range. The reported experimental binding affinities span over the nanomolar to lower micromolar range. All nine limonoids were found with strong affinities in the range of -9 < ΔG < -13 kcal/mol. The molt hormone ecdysone showed a comparable ΔG energy of -12 kcal/mol, whereas -11 kcal/mol was the back docking result for the liganded crystal 4ZGX. In conclusion, the nine C-seco limonoids were strong binders on theoretical grounds in an activity range between a ten-fold lower to a ten-fold higher concentration level than insecticide ecdysone with its known target receptor. The comparable or even stronger binding hints at ecdysone 20-monooxygenase as their target biomolecule. Our assumption, however, is in need of future experimental confirmation before conclusions with certainty can be drawn about the true molecular mechanism of action for the C-seco limonoids under scrutiny.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ramsés E. Ramírez
- Departamento de Fisicomatemáticas, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas Benemérita, Universidad Autónoma de Puebla, Prol. 24 Sur, Puebla 72570, Mexico; (R.E.R.); (R.E.B.-C.)
| | - Ricardo E. Buendia-Corona
- Departamento de Fisicomatemáticas, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas Benemérita, Universidad Autónoma de Puebla, Prol. 24 Sur, Puebla 72570, Mexico; (R.E.R.); (R.E.B.-C.)
| | - Ivonne Pérez-Xochipa
- Departamento de Bioquímica Alimentos, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas Benemérita, Universidad Autónoma de Puebla, Prol. 24 Sur, Puebla 72570, Mexico;
| | - Thomas Scior
- Laboratorio de Simulaciones Moleculares Computacionales, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas Benemérita, Universidad Autónoma de Puebla, Prol. 24 Sur, Puebla 72570, Mexico
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Jeon HJ, Kim K, Kim C, Lee SE. Antimelanogenic Effects of Curcumin and Its Dimethoxy Derivatives: Mechanistic Investigation Using B16F10 Melanoma Cells and Zebrafish ( Danio rerio) Embryos. Foods 2023; 12:foods12050926. [PMID: 36900442 PMCID: PMC10000565 DOI: 10.3390/foods12050926] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2023] [Revised: 02/09/2023] [Accepted: 02/15/2023] [Indexed: 02/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Regulation of melanin production via the MC1R signaling pathway is a protective mechanism of the skin of living organisms against exposure to ultraviolet rays. The discovery of human skin-whitening agents has been one of the most intense pursuits of the cosmetic industry. The MC1R signaling pathway is activated by its agonist, alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone (α-MSH), and mainly regulates melanogenesis. Here, we evaluated the antimelanogenic activities of curcumin (CUR) and its two derivatives, dimethoxycurcumin (DMC) and bisdemethoxycurcumin (BDMC), in B16F10 mouse melanoma cells and zebrafish embryos. CUR and BDMC reduced the α-MSH-induced melanin production in B16F10 cells and also downregulated the expression of the melanin-production-related genes Tyr, Mitf, Trp-1, and Trp-2. Moreover, the biological activity of these two compounds against melanogenesis was confirmed in in vivo experiments using zebrafish embryos. However, the highest concentration of CUR (5 µM) resulted in slight malformations in zebrafish embryos, as indicated by acute toxicity tests. In contrast, DMC did not show any biological activity in vitro or in vivo. Conclusively, BDMC is a strong candidate as a skin-whitening agent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hwang-Ju Jeon
- Red River Research Station, Louisiana State University Agricultural Center, Bossier City, LA 71112, USA
| | - Kyeongnam Kim
- Institute of Quality and Safety Evaluation of Agricultural Products, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41566, Republic of Korea
- Department of Applied Biosciences, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41566, Republic of Korea
| | - Chaeeun Kim
- Department of Applied Biosciences, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41566, Republic of Korea
- Department of Integrative Biology, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41566, Republic of Korea
| | - Sung-Eun Lee
- Institute of Quality and Safety Evaluation of Agricultural Products, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41566, Republic of Korea
- Department of Applied Biosciences, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41566, Republic of Korea
- Department of Integrative Biology, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41566, Republic of Korea
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +82-53-950-7768
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Huang P, Miao J, Liao W, Huang C, Chen B, Li Y, Wang X, Yu Y, Liang X, Zhao H, Cao Y. Rapid screening of novel tyrosinase inhibitory peptides from a pearl shell meat hydrolysate by molecular docking and the anti-melanin mechanism. Food Funct 2023; 14:1446-1458. [PMID: 36648079 DOI: 10.1039/d2fo03105a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Pearls are an edible and medicinal resource with whitening activity and nutritional value in China. In the previous study, we found that the pearl shell meat hydrolysate showed dual activities of antioxidation and tyrosinase inhibition, which were similar to the activities of pearls. In this research, a pearl shell meat hydrolysate was isolated, identified and screened by molecular docking, and three peptides FLF, SPSSS and WLL with high tyrosinase inhibitory activities were obtained. The results indicated that FLF, SPSSS and WLL could effectively inhibit tyrosinase activities and the inhibition rates (1.0 mg mL-1) were 54.32%, 65.26% and 57.50%, respectively. The results of a zebrafish whitening experiment showed that the tyrosinase activities of zebrafish treated with FLF, SPSSS and WLL decreased by 75.41%, 62.87% and 64.99% (p < 0.05), respectively, and the melanin content decreased by 37.34%, 38.52% and 40.39% (p < 0.05), respectively. In a B16F10 cell whitening experiment, compared with a control group, FLF, SPSSS and WLL also showed a significant whitening effect, the tyrosinase activities decreased by 84.08%, 79.08% and 77.45% (p < 0.05), respectively, and the melanin content decreased by 42.23%, 34.37% and 34.02% (p < 0.05), respectively. Moreover, the active peptides could act on three signal pathways including Wnt/β-catenin, MAPK and MC1R/α-MSH and significantly downregulated the expressions of the signaling factors WNT4, MITF, β-catenin, ERK, JNK, TRP1 and TRP2 (p < 0.05). The results demonstrated that the whitening active peptides were edible natural antioxidants, tyrosinase inhibitors and skin anti-melanin agents, which could be added to functional foods as food ingredients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pantian Huang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Nutraceuticals and Functional Foods, College of Food Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China.
| | - Jianyin Miao
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Nutraceuticals and Functional Foods, College of Food Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China. .,Hubei Key Laboratory of Economic Forest Germplasm Improvement and Resources Comprehensive Utilization, Hubei Collaborative Innovation Center for the Characteristic Resources Exploitation of Dabie Mountains, Huanggang Normal University, Huanggang 438000, China
| | - Wanwen Liao
- B.I.R.D. (Guangzhou) Biotechnology Co., Ltd, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Congshu Huang
- B.I.R.D. (Guangzhou) Biotechnology Co., Ltd, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Bingbing Chen
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Nutraceuticals and Functional Foods, College of Food Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China.
| | - Yingkun Li
- Beihai Black Pearl Marine Biotechnology Co. Ltd, Beihai 536000, China
| | - Xianghua Wang
- Beihai Black Pearl Marine Biotechnology Co. Ltd, Beihai 536000, China
| | - Yan Yu
- Beihai Black Pearl Marine Biotechnology Co. Ltd, Beihai 536000, China
| | - Xingtang Liang
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Green Chemical Materials and Safety Technology, Beibu Gulf University, Qinzhou 535011, China
| | - Haishan Zhao
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of South China Structural Heart Disease, Guangdong Cardiovascular Institute, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Yong Cao
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Nutraceuticals and Functional Foods, College of Food Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China.
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Luo J, Sun Y, Li Q, Kong L. Research progress of meliaceous limonoids from 2011 to 2021. Nat Prod Rep 2022; 39:1325-1365. [PMID: 35608367 DOI: 10.1039/d2np00015f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Covering: July 2010 to December 2021Limonoids, a kind of natural tetranortriterpenoids with diverse skeletons and valuable insecticidal and medicinal bioactivities, are the characteristic metabolites of most plants of the Meliaceae family. The chemistry and bioactivities of meliaceous limonoids are a continuing hot area of natural products research; to date, about 2700 meliaceous limonoids have been identified. In particular, more than 1600, including thirty kinds of novel rearranged skeletons, have been isolated and identified in the past decade due to their wide distribution and abundant content in Meliaceae plants and active biosynthetic pathways. In addition to the discovery of new structures, many positive medicinal bioactivities of meliaceous limonoids have been investigated, and extensive achievements regarding the chemical and biological synthesis have been made. This review summarizes the recent research progress in the discovery of new structures, medicinal and agricultural bioactivities, and chem/biosynthesis of limonoids from the plants of the Meliaceae family during the past decade, with an emphasis on the discovery of limonoids with novel skeletons, the medicinal bioactivities and mechanisms, and chemical synthesis. The structures, origins, and bioactivities of other new limonoids were provided as ESI. Studies published from July 2010 to December 2021 are reviewed, and 482 references are cited.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Luo
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Bioactive Natural Product Research, State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, School of Traditional Chinese Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, People's Republic of China.
| | - Yunpeng Sun
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Bioactive Natural Product Research, State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, School of Traditional Chinese Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, People's Republic of China.
| | - Qiurong Li
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Bioactive Natural Product Research, State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, School of Traditional Chinese Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, People's Republic of China.
| | - Lingyi Kong
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Bioactive Natural Product Research, State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, School of Traditional Chinese Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, People's Republic of China.
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Molecular docking study of xylogranatins binding to glycogen synthase kinase-3β. DIGITAL CHINESE MEDICINE 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.dcmed.2022.03.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
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Luo Y, Wang J, Li S, Wu Y, Wang Z, Chen S, Chen H. Discovery and identification of potential anti-melanogenic active constituents of Bletilla striata by zebrafish model and molecular docking. BMC Complement Med Ther 2022; 22:9. [PMID: 34996448 PMCID: PMC8742349 DOI: 10.1186/s12906-021-03492-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2021] [Accepted: 12/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Bletilla striata is the main medicine of many skin whitening classic formulas in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and is widely used in cosmetic industry recently. However, its active ingredients are still unclear and its fibrous roots are not used effectively. The aim of the present study is to discover and identify its potential anti-melanogenic active constituents by zebrafish model and molecular docking. METHODS The antioxidant activities were evaluated by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity, 2,2'-azino-bis-(3-ethylbenthiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) (ABTS) radical scavenging activity and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assay. The anti-melanogenic activity was assessed by tyrosinase inhibitory activity in vitro and melanin inhibitory in zebrafish. The chemical profiles were performed by ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography combined with quadrupole time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS). Meanwhile, the potential anti-melanogenic active constituents were temporary identified by molecular docking. RESULTS The 95% ethanol extract of B. striata fibrous roots (EFB) possessed the strongest DPPH, ABTS, FRAP and tyrosinase inhibitory activities, with IC50 5.94 mg/L, 11.69 mg/L, 6.92 mmol FeSO4/g, and 58.92 mg/L, respectively. In addition, EFB and 95% ethanol extract of B. striata tuber (ETB) significantly reduced the melanin synthesis of zebrafish embryos in a dose-dependent manner. 39 chemical compositions, including 24 stilbenoids were tentatively identified from EFB and ETB. Molecular docking indicated that there were 83 (including 60 stilbenoids) and 85 (including 70 stilbenoids) compounds exhibited stronger binding affinities toward tyrosinase and adenylate cyclase. CONCLUSION The present findings supported the rationale for the use of EFB and ETB as natural skin-whitening agents in pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiyuan Luo
- College of Chinese Medicine, Zhejiang Pharmaceutical College, Ningbo, 315100, China
| | - Juan Wang
- College of Chinese Medicine, Zhejiang Pharmaceutical College, Ningbo, 315100, China
| | - Shuo Li
- College of Chinese Medicine, Zhejiang Pharmaceutical College, Ningbo, 315100, China
| | - Yue Wu
- College of Chinese Medicine, Zhejiang Pharmaceutical College, Ningbo, 315100, China
| | - Zhirui Wang
- College of Chinese Medicine, Zhejiang Pharmaceutical College, Ningbo, 315100, China
| | - Shaojun Chen
- College of Chinese Medicine, Zhejiang Pharmaceutical College, Ningbo, 315100, China
| | - Hongjiang Chen
- College of Chinese Medicine, Zhejiang Pharmaceutical College, Ningbo, 315100, China.
- College of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210046, China.
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Matias M, Pinho JO, Penetra MJ, Campos G, Reis CP, Gaspar MM. The Challenging Melanoma Landscape: From Early Drug Discovery to Clinical Approval. Cells 2021; 10:3088. [PMID: 34831311 PMCID: PMC8621991 DOI: 10.3390/cells10113088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2021] [Revised: 11/02/2021] [Accepted: 11/06/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Melanoma is recognized as the most dangerous type of skin cancer, with high mortality and resistance to currently used treatments. To overcome the limitations of the available therapeutic options, the discovery and development of new, more effective, and safer therapies is required. In this review, the different research steps involved in the process of antimelanoma drug evaluation and selection are explored, including information regarding in silico, in vitro, and in vivo experiments, as well as clinical trial phases. Details are given about the most used cell lines and assays to perform both two- and three-dimensional in vitro screening of drug candidates towards melanoma. For in vivo studies, murine models are, undoubtedly, the most widely used for assessing the therapeutic potential of new compounds and to study the underlying mechanisms of action. Here, the main melanoma murine models are described as well as other animal species. A section is dedicated to ongoing clinical studies, demonstrating the wide interest and successful efforts devoted to melanoma therapy, in particular at advanced stages of the disease, and a final section includes some considerations regarding approval for marketing by regulatory agencies. Overall, considerable commitment is being directed to the continuous development of optimized experimental models, important for the understanding of melanoma biology and for the evaluation and validation of novel therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariana Matias
- Research Institute for Medicines, iMed.ULisboa, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Gama Pinto, 1649-003 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Jacinta O Pinho
- Research Institute for Medicines, iMed.ULisboa, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Gama Pinto, 1649-003 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Maria João Penetra
- Research Institute for Medicines, iMed.ULisboa, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Gama Pinto, 1649-003 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Gonçalo Campos
- CICS-UBI-Health Sciences Research Centre, University of Beira Interior, Av. Infante D. Henrique, 6201-506 Covilhã, Portugal
| | - Catarina Pinto Reis
- Research Institute for Medicines, iMed.ULisboa, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Gama Pinto, 1649-003 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Maria Manuela Gaspar
- Research Institute for Medicines, iMed.ULisboa, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Gama Pinto, 1649-003 Lisboa, Portugal
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Identification of Sitogluside as a Potential Skin-Pigmentation-Reducing Agent through Network Pharmacology. OXIDATIVE MEDICINE AND CELLULAR LONGEVITY 2021; 2021:4883398. [PMID: 34603597 PMCID: PMC8483913 DOI: 10.1155/2021/4883398] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2021] [Revised: 08/25/2021] [Accepted: 09/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Many traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs) with skin-whitening properties have been recorded in the Ben-Cao-Gang-Mu and in folk prescriptions, and some literature confirms that their extracts do have the potential to inhibit pigmentation. However, no systematic studies have identified the specific regulatory mechanisms of the potential active ingredients. The aim of this study was to screen the ingredients in TCMs that inhibit skin pigmentation through a network pharmacology system and to explore underlying mechanisms. We identified 148 potential active ingredients from 14 TCMs, and based on the average “degree” of the topological parameters, the top five TCMs (Fructus Ligustri Lucidi, Hedysarum multijugum Maxim., Ampelopsis japonica, Pseudobulbus Cremastrae Seu Pleiones, and Paeoniae Radix Alba) that were most likely to cause skin-whitening through anti-inflammatory processes were selected. Sitogluside, the most common ingredient in the top five TCMs, inhibits melanogenesis in human melanoma cells (MNT1) and murine melanoma cells (B16F0) and decreases skin pigmentation in zebrafish. Furthermore, mechanistic research revealed that sitogluside is capable of downregulating tyrosinase (TYR) expression by inhibiting the ERK and p38 pathways and inhibiting TYR activity. These results demonstrate that network pharmacology is an effective tool for the discovery of natural compounds with skin-whitening properties and determination of their possible mechanisms. Sitogluside is a novel skin-whitening active ingredient with dual regulatory effects that inhibit TYR expression and activity.
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