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Study of the Electrochemical Behavior of N-Substituted-4-Piperidones Curcumin Analogs: A Combined Experimental and Theoretical Approach. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232315043. [PMID: 36499370 PMCID: PMC9736124 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232315043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2022] [Revised: 11/20/2022] [Accepted: 11/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
The electrochemical behavior of N-methyl- and N-benzyl-4-piperidone curcumin analogs were studied experimentally and theoretically. The studied compounds present different substituents at the para position in the phenyl rings (-H, -Br, -Cl, -CF3, and -OCH3). We assessed their electrochemical behavior by differential pulse and cyclic voltammetry, while we employed density functional theory (DFT) M06 and M06-2x functionals along with 6-311+G(d,p) basis set calculations to study them theoretically. The results showed that compounds suffer a two-electron irreversible oxidation in the range of 0.72 to 0.86 V, with surface concentrations ranging from 1.72 × 10-7 to 5.01 × 10-7 mol/cm2. The results also suggested that the process is diffusion-controlled for all compounds. M06 DFT calculations showed a better performance than M06-2x to obtain oxidation potentials. We found a good correlation between the experimental and theoretical oxidation potential for N-benzyl-4-piperidones (R2 = 0.9846), while the correlation was poor for N-methyl-4-piperidones (R2 = 0.3786), suggesting that the latter suffer a more complex oxidation process. Calculations of the BDEs for labile C-H bonds in the compounds suggested that neither of the two series of compounds has a different tendency for a proton-coupled electron transfer (PCET) oxidation process. It is proposed that irreversible behavior is due to possible dimerization of the compounds by Shono-type oxidation.
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Contreras L, Medina S, Schiaffino Bustamante AY, Borrego EA, Valenzuela CA, Das U, Karki SS, Dimmock JR, Aguilera RJ. Three novel piperidones exhibit tumor-selective cytotoxicity on leukemia cells via protein degradation and stress-mediated mechanisms. Pharmacol Rep 2021; 74:159-174. [PMID: 34448104 PMCID: PMC8786778 DOI: 10.1007/s43440-021-00322-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2021] [Revised: 08/12/2021] [Accepted: 08/14/2021] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Background Cancer is an ongoing worldwide health problem. Although chemotherapy remains the mainstay therapy for cancer, it is not always effective and has detrimental side effects. Here, we present piperidone compounds P3, P4, and P5 that selectively target cancer cells via protein- and stress-mediated mechanisms. Methods We assessed typical apoptotic markers including phosphatidylserine externalization, caspase-3 activation, and DNA fragmentation through flow cytometry. Then, specific markers of the intrinsic pathway of apoptosis including the depolarization of the mitochondria and the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) were investigated. Finally, we utilized western blot techniques, RT-qPCR, and observed the cell cycle profile after compound treatment to evaluate the possible behavior of these compounds as proteasome inhibitors. For statistical analyses, we employed the one-way ANOVA followed by Bonferroni post hoc test. Results P3, P4, and P5 induce cytotoxic effects towards tumorigenic cells, as opposed to non-cancerous cells, at the low micromolar range. Compound treatment leads to the activation of the intrinsic pathway of apoptosis. The accumulation of poly-ubiquitinated proteins and the pro-apoptotic protein Noxa, both typically observed after proteasome inhibition, occurs after P3, P4, and P5 treatment. The stress-related genes PMAIP1, ATF3, CHAC1, MYC, and HMOX-1 were differentially regulated to contribute to the cytotoxic activity of P3–P5. Finally, compound P5 causes cell cycle arrest at the G2/M phase. Conclusion Taken together, compounds P3, P4, and P5 exhibit strong potential as anticancer drug candidates as shown by strong cytotoxic potential, activation of the intrinsic pathway of apoptosis, and show typical proteasome inhibitor characteristics. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s43440-021-00322-3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisett Contreras
- Department of Biological Sciences and Border Biomedical Research Center, The University of Texas at El Paso, 500 West University Avenue, El Paso, TX, 79968-0519, USA
| | - Stephanie Medina
- Department of Biological Sciences and Border Biomedical Research Center, The University of Texas at El Paso, 500 West University Avenue, El Paso, TX, 79968-0519, USA
| | - Austre Y Schiaffino Bustamante
- Department of Biological Sciences and Border Biomedical Research Center, The University of Texas at El Paso, 500 West University Avenue, El Paso, TX, 79968-0519, USA
| | - Edgar A Borrego
- Department of Biological Sciences and Border Biomedical Research Center, The University of Texas at El Paso, 500 West University Avenue, El Paso, TX, 79968-0519, USA
| | - Carlos A Valenzuela
- Department of Biological Sciences and Border Biomedical Research Center, The University of Texas at El Paso, 500 West University Avenue, El Paso, TX, 79968-0519, USA
| | - Umashankar Das
- Drug Discovery and Development Research Group, College of Pharmacy and Nutrition, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, S7N 5E5, Canada
| | - Subhas S Karki
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Dr. Prabhakar B. Kore Basic Science Research Center, Off-Campus, KLE College of Pharmacy, (A Constituent Unit of KAHER-Belagavi), Bengaluru, Karnataka, 560010, India
| | - Jonathan R Dimmock
- Drug Discovery and Development Research Group, College of Pharmacy and Nutrition, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, S7N 5E5, Canada
| | - Renato J Aguilera
- Department of Biological Sciences and Border Biomedical Research Center, The University of Texas at El Paso, 500 West University Avenue, El Paso, TX, 79968-0519, USA.
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Natural Agents Targeting Mitochondria in Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21196992. [PMID: 32977472 PMCID: PMC7582837 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21196992] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2020] [Revised: 09/18/2020] [Accepted: 09/18/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Mitochondria are the key energy provider to highly proliferating cancer cells, and are subsequently considered one of the critical targets in cancer therapeutics. Several compounds have been studied for their mitochondria-targeting ability in cancer cells. These studies’ outcomes have led to the invention of “mitocans”, a category of drug known to precisely target the cancer cells’ mitochondria. Based upon their mode of action, mitocans have been divided into eight classes. To date, different synthetic compounds have been suggested to be potential mitocans, but unfortunately, they are observed to exert adverse effects. Many studies have been published justifying the medicinal significance of large numbers of natural agents for their mitochondria-targeting ability and anticancer activities with minimal or no side effects. However, these natural agents have never been critically analyzed for their mitochondria-targeting activity. This review aims to evaluate the various natural agents affecting mitochondria and categorize them in different classes. Henceforth, our study may further support the potential mitocan behavior of various natural agents and highlight their significance in formulating novel potential anticancer therapeutics.
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Recent advances in α,β-unsaturated carbonyl compounds as mitochondrial toxins. Eur J Med Chem 2019; 183:111687. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2019.111687] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2019] [Revised: 08/24/2019] [Accepted: 09/06/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
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Larrea tridentata Extract Mitigates Oxidative Stress-Induced Cytotoxicity in Human Neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y Cells. Antioxidants (Basel) 2019; 8:antiox8100427. [PMID: 31557847 PMCID: PMC6827101 DOI: 10.3390/antiox8100427] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2019] [Revised: 09/19/2019] [Accepted: 09/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Creosote bush (Larrea tridentata; LT) leaves extracts were tested for their potential efficacy to mitigate cellular oxidative stress on human SH-SY5Y cells. Here, the differential nuclear staining assay, a bioimager system, and flow cytometric protocols, concurrently with several specific chemicals, were used to measure the percentage of cell viability and several facets implicated in the cytoprotective mechanism of LT extracts. Initially, three LT extracts, prepared with different solvents, ethanol, ethanol:water (e/w), and water, were tested for their capacity to rescue the viability of cells undergoing aggressive H2O2-induced oxidative stress. Results indicate that the LT extract prepared with a mixture of ethanol:water (LT-e/w; 60:40% v/v) displayed the most effective cytoprotection rescue activity. Interestingly, by investigating the LT-e/w mechanism of action, it was found that LT-e/w extract decreases the levels of H2O2-provoked reactive oxidative species (ROS) accumulation, mitochondrial depolarization, phosphatidylserine externalization, caspase-3/7 activation, and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) cleavage significantly, which are hallmarks of apoptosis. Thus, out of the three LT extracts tested, our findings highlight that the LT-e/w extract was the most effective protective reagent on SH-SY5Y cells undergoing oxidative stress in vitro, functioning as a natural anti-apoptotic extract. These findings warrant further LT-e/w extract examination in a holistic context.
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Nguyen C, Pandey S. Exploiting Mitochondrial Vulnerabilities to Trigger Apoptosis Selectively in Cancer Cells. Cancers (Basel) 2019; 11:E916. [PMID: 31261935 PMCID: PMC6678564 DOI: 10.3390/cancers11070916] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2019] [Revised: 06/19/2019] [Accepted: 06/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The transformation of normal cells to the cancerous stage involves multiple genetic changes or mutations leading to hyperproliferation, resistance to apoptosis, and evasion of the host immune system. However, to accomplish hyperproliferation, cancer cells undergo profound metabolic reprogramming including oxidative glycolysis and acidification of the cytoplasm, leading to hyperpolarization of the mitochondrial membrane. The majority of drug development research in the past has focused on targeting DNA replication, repair, and tubulin polymerization to induce apoptosis in cancer cells. Unfortunately, these are not cancer-selective targets. Recently, researchers have started focusing on metabolic, mitochondrial, and oxidative stress vulnerabilities of cancer cells that can be exploited as selective targets for inducing cancer cell death. Indeed, the hyperpolarization of mitochondrial membranes in cancer cells can lead to selective importing of mitocans that can induce apoptotic effects. Herein, we will discuss recent mitochondrial-selective anticancer compounds (mitocans) that have shown selective toxicity against cancer cells. Increased oxidative stress has also been shown to be very effective in selectively inducing cell death in cancer cells. This oxidative stress could lead to mitochondrial dysfunction, which in turn will produce more reactive oxygen species (ROS). This creates a vicious cycle of mitochondrial dysfunction and ROS production, irreversibly leading to cell suicide. We will also explore the possibility of combining these compounds to sensitize cancer cells to the conventional anticancer agents. Mitocans in combination with selective oxidative-stress producing agents could be very effective anticancer treatments with minimal effect on healthy cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher Nguyen
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Windsor, Windsor, ON N9E 3P4, Canada
| | - Siyaram Pandey
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Windsor, Windsor, ON N9E 3P4, Canada.
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Contreras L, Calderon RI, Varela-Ramirez A, Zhang HY, Quan Y, Das U, Dimmock JR, Skouta R, Aguilera RJ. Induction of apoptosis via proteasome inhibition in leukemia/lymphoma cells by two potent piperidones. Cell Oncol (Dordr) 2018; 41:623-636. [PMID: 30088262 PMCID: PMC6241245 DOI: 10.1007/s13402-018-0397-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/29/2018] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Previously, compounds containing a piperidone structure have been shown to be highly cytotoxic to cancer cells. Recently, we found that the piperidone compound P2 exhibits a potent anti-neoplastic activity against human breast cancer-derived cells. Here, we aimed to evaluate two piperidone compounds, P1 and P2, for their potential anti-neoplastic activity against human leukemia/lymphoma-derived cells. METHODS Cytotoxicity and apoptosis induction were evaluated using MTS, annexin V-FITC/PI and mitochondrial membrane potential polychromatic assays to confirm the mode of action of the piperidone compounds. The effects of compound P1 and P2 treatment on gene expression were assessed using AmpliSeq analysis and, subsequently, confirmed by RT-qPCR and Western blotting. RESULTS We found that the two related piperidone compounds P1 and P2 selectively killed the leukemia/lymphoma cells tested at nanomolar concentrations through induction of the intrinsic apoptotic pathway, as demonstrated by mitochondrial depolarization and caspase-3 activation. AmpliSeq-based transcriptome analyses of the effects of compounds P1 and P2 on HL-60 acute leukemia cells revealed a differential expression of hundreds of genes, 358 of which were found to be affected by both. Additional pathway analyses revealed that a significant number of the common genes were related to the unfolded protein response, implying a possible role of the two compounds in the induction of proteotoxic stress. Subsequent analyses of the transcriptome data revealed that P1 and P2 induced similar gene expression alterations as other well-known proteasome inhibitors. Finally, we found that Noxa, an important mediator of the activity of proteasome inhibitors, was significantly upregulated at both the mRNA and protein levels, indicating a possible role in the cytotoxic mechanism induced by P1 and P2. CONCLUSIONS Our data indicate that the cytotoxic activity of P1 and P2 on leukemia/lymphoma cells is mediated by proteasome inhibition, leading to activation of pro-apoptotic pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisett Contreras
- Department of Biological Sciences and Border Biomedical Research Center, The University of Texas at El Paso, 500 West University Avenue, El Paso, TX, 79968-0519, USA
| | - Ruben I Calderon
- Department of Biological Sciences and Border Biomedical Research Center, The University of Texas at El Paso, 500 West University Avenue, El Paso, TX, 79968-0519, USA
| | - Armando Varela-Ramirez
- Department of Biological Sciences and Border Biomedical Research Center, The University of Texas at El Paso, 500 West University Avenue, El Paso, TX, 79968-0519, USA
| | - Hong-Yu Zhang
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Agricultural Bioinformatics, College of Informatics, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuan Quan
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Agricultural Bioinformatics, College of Informatics, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, People's Republic of China
| | - Umashankar Das
- Drug Discovery and Development Research Group, College of Pharmacy and Nutrition, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, S7N 5E5, Canada
| | - Jonathan R Dimmock
- Drug Discovery and Development Research Group, College of Pharmacy and Nutrition, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, S7N 5E5, Canada
| | - Rachid Skouta
- Department of Chemistry, Border Biomedical Research Center, The University of Texas at El Paso, 500 West University Avenue, El Paso, TX, 79968-0519, USA
- Department of Biology, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, 01003-9297, USA
| | - Renato J Aguilera
- Department of Biological Sciences and Border Biomedical Research Center, The University of Texas at El Paso, 500 West University Avenue, El Paso, TX, 79968-0519, USA.
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3,5-Bis(2-fluorobenzylidene)-4-piperidone induce reactive oxygen species-mediated apoptosis in A549 cells. Med Chem Res 2017. [DOI: 10.1007/s00044-017-2056-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
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Martínez-Cifuentes M, Weiss-López B, Araya-Maturana R. A Computational Study of Structure and Reactivity of N-Substitued-4-Piperidones Curcumin Analogues and Their Radical Anions. Molecules 2016; 21:molecules21121658. [PMID: 27918440 PMCID: PMC6273823 DOI: 10.3390/molecules21121658] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2016] [Revised: 11/25/2016] [Accepted: 11/28/2016] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
In this work, a computational study of a series of N-substitued-4-piperidones curcumin analogues is presented. The molecular structure of the neutral molecules and their radical anions, as well as their reactivity, are investigated. N-substituents include methyl and benzyl groups, while substituents on the aromatic rings cover electron-donor and electron-acceptor groups. Substitutions at the nitrogen atom do not significantly affect the geometry and frontier molecular orbitals (FMO) energies of these molecules. On the other hand, substituents on the aromatic rings modify the distribution of FMO. In addition, they influence the capability of these molecules to attach an additional electron, which was studied through adiabatic (AEA) and vertical electron affinities (VEA), as well as vertical detachment energy (VDE). To study electrophilic properties of these structures, local reactivity indices, such as Fukui (f+) and Parr (P+) functions, were calculated, and show the influence of the aromatic rings substituents on the reactivity of α,β-unsaturated ketones towards nucleophilic attack. This study has potential implications for the design of curcumin analogues based on a 4-piperidone core with desired reactivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maximiliano Martínez-Cifuentes
- Programa Institucional de Fomento a la Investigación, Desarrollo e Innovación, Universidad Tecnológica Metropolitana, Ignacio Valdivieso 2409, Casilla 9845, Santiago 8940577, Chile.
| | - Boris Weiss-López
- Departamento de Química, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Chile, Las Palmeras 3425, Casilla 653, Santiago 7800003, Chile.
| | - Ramiro Araya-Maturana
- Instituto de Química de Recursos Naturales, Universidad de Talca, Av. Lircay s/n, Casilla 747, Talca 3460000, Chile.
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Santiago-Vázquez Y, Das U, Varela-Ramirez A, Baca ST, Ayala-Marin Y, Lema C, Das S, Baryyan A, Dimmock JR, Aguilera RJ. Tumor-selective cytotoxicity of a novel pentadiene analogue on human leukemia/ lymphoma cells. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2016; 3:138-146. [PMID: 27857884 DOI: 10.2174/2212697x03666160830165250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND A novel series of structurally divergent 1,5-diaryl-3-oxo-1,4-pentadiene analogues 1-10 displayed marked cytotoxic potencies towards a number of human leukemia/lymphoma cells. OBJECTIVE To identify novel selective cytotoxic compounds that induce apoptosis. METHODS The Differential Nuclear Staining (DNS) screening protocol was utilized to measure the cytotoxicity of all experimental dienones on several cancerous cells. Additionally, the selective cytotoxicity index was calculated by comparing the dienone's cytotoxicity between leukemia/lymphoma cells vs. non-cancerous cells. Furthermore, to discern whether a selected dienone induced cell death via apoptosis or necrosis on T-lymphocyte leukemia cells, diverse approaches were utilized to detect individual biochemical facets of apoptosis. RESULTS The dienones were tested for their anti-neoplastic efficiency on human leukemia/lymphoma-derived cell lines. Special emphasis was applied on dienone 1, on the basis of its sub-micromolar cytotoxicity (CC50=0.43+0.02 μM) and high selective cytotoxicity index (11.1) exerted on T-leukemia cells. In general, dienone 1 showed the most potent cytotoxic properties as compared to other dienones and a related reference cytotoxin curcumin as well as the EF-24 curcumin analogue. Dienone 1 caused cell death by apoptosis in Jurkat cells as evidenced by inducing phosphatidylserine externalization, mitochondrial depolarization and caspase-3/7. These effects were mainly attributed to the induction of apoptotic pathways. CONCLUSION The novel dienone 1 was found to exhibit potent anti-leukemia activity by inducing programmed cell death/apoptosis. Consequently, dionone 1 should be developed further to examine its potential efficacy to combat malignancies in a pre-clinical animal model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yahaira Santiago-Vázquez
- Department of Biological Sciences, Bioscience Research Building, Border Biomedical Research Center, Cytometry, Screening and Imaging Core Facility, University of Texas at El Paso, Texas, 79968, USA
| | - Umashankar Das
- College of Pharmacy and Nutrition, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, S7N 5C9, Canada
| | - Armando Varela-Ramirez
- Department of Biological Sciences, Bioscience Research Building, Border Biomedical Research Center, Cytometry, Screening and Imaging Core Facility, University of Texas at El Paso, Texas, 79968, USA
| | - Sarah T Baca
- Department of Biological Sciences, Bioscience Research Building, Border Biomedical Research Center, Cytometry, Screening and Imaging Core Facility, University of Texas at El Paso, Texas, 79968, USA
| | - Yoshira Ayala-Marin
- Department of Biological Sciences, Bioscience Research Building, Border Biomedical Research Center, Cytometry, Screening and Imaging Core Facility, University of Texas at El Paso, Texas, 79968, USA
| | - Carolina Lema
- Department of Biological Sciences, Bioscience Research Building, Border Biomedical Research Center, Cytometry, Screening and Imaging Core Facility, University of Texas at El Paso, Texas, 79968, USA; College of Optometry, University of Houston, 4901 Calhoun Road, Houston, TX, 77204, USA
| | - Swagatika Das
- College of Pharmacy and Nutrition, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, S7N 5C9, Canada
| | - Alaa Baryyan
- College of Pharmacy and Nutrition, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, S7N 5C9, Canada
| | - Jonathan R Dimmock
- College of Pharmacy and Nutrition, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, S7N 5C9, Canada
| | - Renato J Aguilera
- Department of Biological Sciences, Bioscience Research Building, Border Biomedical Research Center, Cytometry, Screening and Imaging Core Facility, University of Texas at El Paso, Texas, 79968, USA
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