Insight on a new indolinone derivative as an orally bioavailable lead compound against renal cell carcinoma

A series of novel 3-indolinone-thiazolidinones and oxazolidinones 4a-k was synthesized via molecular hybridization approach and sequentially evaluated to explore its cytotoxic activity. The cytotoxicity screening pointed toward the N-cyclohexyl thiazolidinone derivative 4f that revealed promising renal cytotoxicity against CAKI-1 and UO-31 renal cancer cell lines with IC₅₀ values 4.74 and 3.99 µM, respectively, which were comparable to those of sunitinib along with good safety threshold against normal renal cells. Further emphasis on compound 4f renal cytotoxicity was achieved via different enzyme assays and CAKI-1 and UO-31 cell cycle analysis. The results were supported by in silico studies to explore its physicochemical, pharmacokinetic and drug-likeness properties. Finally, compound 4f was subjected to an in vivo pharmacokinetic study through two different routes of administration showing excellent oral bioavailability. This research represents compound 4f as a promising candidate against renal cell carcinoma.

Dihydrotestosterone and 17-Estradiol Enhancement of In Vitro Osteogenic Differentiation of Castrated Male Rat Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells (rBMMSCs)

Background: In vitro impact of dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and 17-estradiol (E2) in osteogenic differentiation of castrated rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (rBMMSC) still need to be clarified. Materials and Methods: The viability, proliferation and density of cultured rBMMSC isolated from sham operated (Sham) and castrated (Cast) male rats were evaluated. rBMMSC were cultured with osteogenic differentiating medium (ODM) in the presence of DHT (5,10 nM) and E2 (10,100 nM). Osteogenesis was evaluated by alizarin red staining and measurement of calcium deposition and bone alkaline phosphatase (BALP) activity. Results: Population doubling (PD) of rBMMSC isolated from Cast rats was significantly lower (P<0.05) compared to that isolated from Sham rats. rBMMSC from Cast rats showed low scattered calcified nodule after culturing in ODM and did not cause a significant increase in calcium deposition and B-ALP activity compared to rBMMSCs from Sham rats. Exposure of rBMMSC isolated from Cast rats to DHT (5 nM) or E2 (10 nM) in ODM showed medium scattered calcified nodules with significantly higher (P<0.05) calcium deposition and B-ALP activity. Moreover, exposure of rBMMSC to DHT (10 nM) or E2 (100 nM) showed high scattered calcified nodules with higher (P<0.01) calcium deposition and B-ALP activity Conclusion: These results indicated that the presence of testes might participate in controlling the in vitro proliferation and osteogenic differentiation capacity of rBMMSCs. DHT and E2 can enhance the osteogenic capacity of rBMMSCs in a dose-dependent manner. Based on these observations, optimum usage of DHT and E2 can overcome the limitations of MSCs and advance the therapeutic bone regeneration potential in the future.

Dihydrotestosterone and 17-Estradiol Enhancement of in vitro Osteogenic Differentiation of Castrated Male Rat Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells (rBMMSCs)

Background: In vitro impact of dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and 17-estradiol (E2) in osteogenic differentiation of castrated rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (rBMMSC) still need to be clarified. Materials and Methods: The viability, proliferation and density of cultured rBMMSC isolated from sham operated (Sham) and castrated (Cast) male rats were evaluated. rBMMSC were cultured with osteogenic differentiating medium (ODM) in the presence of DHT (5,10 nM) and E2 (10,100 nM). Osteogenesis was evaluated by alizarin red staining and measurement of calcium deposition and bone alkaline phosphatase (B-ALP) activity. Results: Population doubling (PD) of rBMMSC isolated from Cast rats was significantly lower (P<0.05) compared to that isolated from Sham rats. rBMMSC from Cast rats showed low scattered calcified nodule after culturing in ODM and did not cause a significant increase in calcium deposition and B-ALP activity compared to rBMMSCs from Sham rats. Exposure of rBMMSC isolated from Cast rats to DHT (5 nM) or E2 (10 nM) in ODM showed medium scattered calcified nodules with significantly higher (P<0.05) calcium deposition and B-ALP activity. Moreover, exposure of rBMMSC to DHT (10 nM) or E2 (100 nM) showed high scattered calcified nodules with higher (P<0.01) calcium deposition and B-ALP activity Conclusion: These results indicated that the presence of testes might participate in controlling the in vitro proliferation and osteogenic differentiation capacity of rBMMSCs. DHT and E2 can enhance the osteogenic capacity of rBMMSCs in a dose-dependent manner. Based on these observations, optimum usage of DHT and E2 can overcome the limitations of MSCs and advance the therapeutic bone regeneration potential in the future.

Anti-fibrotic potential of a Matthiola arabica isothiocyanates rich fraction: impact on oxidative stress, inflammatory and fibrosis markers

The present study is the first one to investigate the glucosinolates (GLS) profile and anti-fibrotic effect of isothiocyanates (ITCs) rich fraction of Matthiola arabica (Brassicaceae) using an experimental model of liver fibrosis in rats. Five GLS (ethyl glucosinolate, gluconapin, glucodehydroerucin, glucoerucin and glucoraphanin) were identified by gas liquid chromatography-mass spectrometric (GLC-MS) analysis of their hydrolysis products, produced by the natural autolysis and exogenous myrosinase hydrolysis using one and two units of the enzyme. Spectrophotometric determination of the total intact GLS revealed that content in the fresh sample was 1.8 times higher than in the dry one. ITCs rich fraction was prepared by natural autolysis of the fresh aerial part. Male albino rats were given carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) (0.5 ml/kg, twice a week) and/or ITCs -rich fraction (30 mg/ kg, three times a week) for six weeks. Liver function, different oxidative stress, inflammatory and fibrosis markers were investigated. Treatment of animals with ITCs rich fraction significantly counteracted the changes in liver function induced by CCl4. Histopathological examination under both light and electron microscope showed the anti-fibrotic effect of ITCs rich fraction. This finding was confirmed with the markedly improved liver fibrosis markers with ITCs rich fraction co-treatment. In elucidation of anti-fibrotic mechanisms of ITCs rich fraction, the significant glutathione depletion and lipid peroxidation caused by CCl4 intoxication was restored by ITCs rich fraction co-treatment. Besides, ITCs rich fraction showed an anti-inflammatory effect through its ability to counteract the significant increase in nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels in liver tissue that caused by CCl4 intoxication. These findings indicate that ITCs-rich fraction of M. arabica possesses a promising anti-fibrotic effect which can be attributed to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.