Oleanane-type triterpenoids from Panax stipuleanatus and their anticancer activities

One newly (1) and 10 known oleanane-type triterpenoids (2-11) were isolated from the methanol extract of Panax stipuleanatus rhizomes. Based on their spectroscopic data, these compounds were identified as spinasaponin A methyl ester (1), pesudoginsenoside RP(1) methyl ester (2), spinasaponin A 28-O-glucoside (3), pseudoginsenoside RT(1) methyl ester (4), pseudoginsenoside RT(1) (5), stipuleanoside R(2) methyl ester (6), stipuleanoside R(2) (7), araloside A methyl ester (8), 3-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl (1→3)-β-D-glucuronopyranoside-28-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl oleanolic acid methyl ester (9), 3-O-β-D-xylopyranosyl (1→2)-β-D-glucopyranosyl-28-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl oleanolic acid (10), and chikusetsusaponin IVa (11). When the cytotoxic activities of the isolated compounds were evaluated, compound 1 exhibited significant cytotoxic activity with IC(50) values of 4.44 and 0.63 μM against HL-60 (leukemia) and HCT-116 (colon cancer) cell lines, respectively. Compound 2 showed potent cytotoxicity with an IC(50) of 6.50 μM against HCT-116, whereas it was less cytotoxic against HL-60 (IC(50)=41.45 μM). After HL-60 and HCT-116 were treated with compounds 1 and 2, increased production of apoptotic bodies was observed. Furthermore, compounds 1 and 2 in HCT-116 cells activated intrinsic and extrinsic apoptosis pathways by upregulating DR-5 and Bax, downregulating Bcl-2, activating caspase-9, and cleaving poly-ADP-ribose polymerase (PARP). We also observed the activation of ERK1/2 MAPK by both compounds in the HCT-116 cells. Together, compounds 1 and 2 might induce intrinsic and extrinsic apoptosis pathways through the activation of the ERK1/2 MAPK pathway in HCT-116 colon cancer cells. Structure-activity relationship analysis indicated that a carboxyl group at position-28 is potentially responsible for the cytotoxic effects.     

A facile 'click' approach to novel 15β-triazolyl-5α-androstane derivatives, and an evaluation of their antiproliferative activities in vitro

Intermolecular Cu(I)-catalyzed azide-alkyne cycloadditions of 15β-azido-17β-hydroxy-5α-androstan-3β-yl acetate with different terminal alkynes under optimized reaction conditions were carried out to furnish 15β-triazolyl derivatives in good yields. Subsequent oxidation of the 'click' products with the Jones reagent afforded the corresponding 17-ketones. All the synthetized compounds were tested on three malignant human cell lines (HeLa, MCF7 and A431) in order to investigate their antiproliferative activities in vitro. Evidence of cell cycle blockade and apoptosis induction was obtained for the most effective five selected compounds by means of flow cytometry and microscopic techniques. The 15β-triazolyl-5α-androstane framework may be considered an appropriate base for the design of steroidal antiproliferative agents.     

Synthesis and biological evaluation of new symmetrical derivatives as cytotoxic agents and apoptosis inducers

Based on the research of less toxic anticancer therapies, we have looked for novel compounds with anticancer activity based on a proapoptotic mechanism. The described compounds are derivatives of ether, carbamate, urea, amide, or amine. Some of the prepared compounds decreased cell viability of various tumor cell lines in a time- and dose-dependent manner, and also induced DNA fragmentation, which indicated cell apoptosis. The potential antitumoral activity of the compounds was evaluated in vitro by examining their cytotoxic effects against human mama, colon, and bladder cancer cell lines (MD-MBA-231, HT-29, and T-24). Compounds showing cytotoxic activity were subjected to an apoptosis assay. In addition, some of the synthesized compounds provoked a rapid and dose-dependent increase in the level of caspase-3, an enzyme, which is considered to be one of the principal executing caspases in which all of the biochemical routes involved in the apoptosis response converge. The most promising compounds, with respect to cytotoxicity and apoptosis induction capability, were the 4-nitrophenylcarbamate derivative of 2,2'-methylenebis(4-chlorophenyl) 3c, the naphthylurea derivative 4d, and the n-propylurea derivative 4c, from 4,4'-methylenebisphenyl, all of which displayed cytotoxic activity and showed very interesting levels of apoptosis. Furthermore, good levels of apoptosis induction were achieved for 3a and 4b in the T-24 cell line. Therefore, compounds such as 7b, a pyrido[2,3-d]pyrimidine derivative, show a significant in vitro cytotoxicity, with IC(50) values between 3 and 8 microm in the three cell lines tested. This compound also produced a rapid and dose-dependent increase of the caspase-3 level and induced apoptosis in HT-29 cells. Other profiles have been found, such as those presented by 5c and 7c, which are cytotoxic and apoptotic but do not provoke an increase in the level of caspase-3, or those presented by 1c, 1d, and 2a, which are cytotoxic, without showing any other activity. The different types of behavior of each compound are not necessarily parallel in the three cell lines tested. A great number of these compounds of interest show no cytotoxicity in nontumoral human cells such as CRL-8799, a nontumoral line of mama. Subsequent modulation of these lead structures permits advances in the design of potent cytotoxic and proapoptotic anticancer drugs.     

Structure-activity relationship in the antitumor activity of 6-, 8- or 6,8-substituted 3-benzylamino-β-carboline derivatives

We synthesized 47 kinds of 3-amino- or 3-benzylamino-β-carboline derivatives with a substituent on the 6-, 8-, or 6,8-carbon atoms and evaluated their antitumor activities for Hela S-3 and Sarcoma 180 cell lines using a 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay. Consequently, we succeeded to develop 3-benzylamino-8-methylamino-β-carboline (17a) and 8-methylamino-3-(3-phenoxybenzyl)amino-β-carboline (17c) with antitumor activity with IC(50) values of 0.046, 0.032 μM, respectively, against HeLa S-3 cell line, which are higher than that of previously reported 3-(3-phenoxybenzyl)amino-β-carboline (10e) of 0.074 μM. Furthermore, effects of Cl group at 6-carbon atom on the type of cell death was evaluated using 3-benzylamino-6-chloro-β-carboline (10b), 3-benzylamino-β-carboline (10d), N-(3-benzylamino)-6-chloro-9H-β-carbolin-8-yl)benzamide (14g), and N-(3-benzylamino-9H-β-carbolin-8-yl)benzamide (17b) to show no effect. Hoechst 33342 staining and DNA fragmentation assay suggested that these compounds induced cell death by apoptosis. In addition, using flow cytometry analysis, we established that the cell death pathway was through the arrest of the cell cycle in the G(2)/M phase.     

Binding of synthetic sulfated ligands by human splenic galectin 1, a β-galactoside-binding lectin

The carbohydrate-binding site of galectin 1, a vertebrate β-galactoside-binding lectin, has a pronounced specificity for the βGal(1→3)- and βGal(1→4)GlcNAc sequences. The binding inhibition study reported herein was carried out to determine whether sulfation of saccharides would influence their binding by galectin 1. The presence of 6′-OSO3- on LacNAc greatly reduces the inhibitory potency relative to LacNAc. 3′-OSO3-LacNAc, 3′-OSO3-Galβ(1→3)GlcNAcβ1-OBzl and 3-OSO3-Galβ1-OMe are more potent inhibitors than the non-sulfated parent compounds. Surprisingly, 2′-OSO3-LacNAc showed over 40 fold less inhibitory potency relative to LacNAc. Ovarian carcinoma A121 cells were shown to synthesize sulfated macromolecules that bind to galectin 1. Modulation in vivo of saccharide sulfation may lead to modulation of galectin 1 interaction with glycoconjugates; hence, sulfation could play a role in modulating lectin functions.     

Novel benzothiazinones (BTOs) as allosteric modulator or substrate competitive inhibitor of glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK-3β) with cellular activity of promoting glucose uptake

Glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK-3β) plays a key role in insulin metabolizing pathway and therefore inhibition of the enzyme might provide an important therapeutic approach for treatment of insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. Recently, discovery of ATP noncompetitive inhibitors is gaining importance not only due to their generally increased selectivity but also for the potentially subtle modulation of the target. These kinds of compounds include allosteric modulators and substrate competitive inhibitors. Here we reported two benzothiazinone compounds (BTO), named BTO-5h (IC₅₀ = 8 μM) and BTO-5s (IC₅₀ = 10 μM) as novel allosteric modulator and substrate competitive inhibitor of GSK-3β, respectively. Their different action modes were proved by kinetic experiments. Furthermore, BTO-5s was selected to check the kinases profile and showed little or even no activity to a panel of ten protein kinases at 100 μM, indicating it has good selectivity. Docking studies were performed to give suggesting binding modes which can well explain their impacts on the enzyme. Moreover, cell experiments displayed both compounds reduced the phosphorylation level of glycogen synthase in an intact cell, and greatly enhanced the glucose uptake in both HpG2 and 3T3-L1 cells. All of these results suggested BTO-5s and BTO-5h maybe have potentially therapeutic value for anti-diabetes. The results also offer a new scaffold for designing and developing selective inhibitors with novel mechanisms of action.     

β-Elemene piperazine derivatives induce apoptosis in human leukemia cells through downregulation of c-FLIP and generation of ROS

β-Elemene is an active component of the herb medicine Curcuma Wenyujin with reported antitumor activity. To improve its antitumor ability, five novel piperazine derivatives of β-elemene, 13-(3-methyl-1-piperazinyl)-β-elemene (DX1), 13-(cis-3,5-dimethyl-1-piperazinyl)-β-elemene (DX2), 13-(4-ethyl-1-piperazinyl)-β-elemene (DX3), 13-(4-isopropyl-1-piperazinyl)-β-elemene (DX4) and 13-piperazinyl-β-elemene (DX5), were synthesized. The antiproliferative and apoptotic effects of these derivatives were determined in human leukemia HL-60, NB4, K562 and HP100-1 cells. DX1, DX2 and DX5, which contain a secondary amino moiety, were more active in inhibiting cell growth and in inducing apoptosis than DX3 and DX4. The apoptosis induction ability of DX1 was associated with the generation of hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)), a decrease of mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), and the activation of caspase-8. Pretreatment with the antioxidants N-acetylcysteine and catalase completely blocked DX1-induced H(2)O(2) production, but only partially its activation of caspase-8 and induction of apoptosis. HL-60 cells were more sensitive than its H(2)O(2)-resistant subclone HP100-1 cells to DX1-induced apoptosis. The activation of caspase-8 by these compounds was correlated with the decrease in the levels of cellular FLICE-inhibitory protein (c-FLIP). The proteasome inhibitor MG-132 augmented the decrease in c-FLIP levels and apoptosis induced by these derivatives. FADD- and caspase-8-deficient Jurkat subclones have a decreased response to DX1-induced apoptosis. Our data indicate that these novel β-elemene piperazine derivatives induce apoptosis through the decrease in c-FLIP levels and the production of H(2)O(2) which leads to activation of both death receptor- and mitochondrial-mediated apoptotic pathways.     

Discovery of natural estrogen receptor modulators with structure-based virtual screening

Eleven compounds were identified as estrogen receptor modulators from an in-house natural product database (NPD) by structure-based virtual screening for ERα and ERβ. Among them, 3 compounds were confirmed as ER agonists and 8 compounds were confirmed as ER antagonists by yeast two-hybrid (Y2H) assay, with EC₅₀ values ranging from several micromolar to 100 micromolar. In this study, a novel series of cycloartane triterpenoids isolated from Schisandra glaucescens Diels was found to have ER antagonistic effect, the most potent antagonist of which exhibited activity with EC₅₀ value of 2.55 and 4.68 μM for ERα and ERβ, respectively. Moreover, the types of modulation and subtype selectivity were also investigated through molecular docking simulation.     

Thymosin β4 activates integrin-linked kinase and decreases endothelial progenitor cells apoptosis under serum deprivation

Thymosin β4 (Tβ4) has been suggested to regulate multiple cell signal pathways and a variety of cellular functions such as cell migration, proliferation, survival, and angiogenesis. Here, we investigated the effect of Tβ4 on endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) apoptosis induced by serum deprivation and the corresponding signal transduction pathways involved in this process. Circulating EPCs, isolated from healthy volunteers, were cultured in the absence or presence of Tβ4 and various signal cascade inhibitors. Apoptosis was evaluated with Annexin V immunostaining and cytosolic cytochrome c expression. Incubation of EPCs with Tβ4 caused a concentration dependent increase in cell viability and proliferation activity. It also caused an inhibitory effect on EPCs apoptosis, which was abolished by PI3K inhibitors (either LY294002 or Wortmannin) or JNK MAPK inhibitor SP600125. In addition, the expression and activity of caspase-3 and -9 were decreased by Tβ4, which markedly increased the Bcl-2/Bax ratio within EPCs. Furthermore, Tβ4 was immunoprecipitated with integrin-linked kinase (ILK), accompanied by augmentation of ILK activity. Transfection of EPCs with ILK-siRNA resulted in abolishment of the activation of ILK-Akt and the ameliorative effect on apoptosis by Tβ4. Together, Tβ4 mediated inhibitory effect on EPCs apoptosis under serum deprivation can be attributed, at least in part, to ILK-Akt activation. The activation of JNK MAPK might also be involved in this process.     

Importance of a pyrogallol-type structure in catechin compounds for apoptosis-inducing activity

Several catechin compounds were examined for their ability to induce apoptosis in human histiocytic lymphoma U937 cells. Catechins with a pyrogallol-type structure in a B-ring induced apoptosis and a 3-O-gallate group in cis-relationship to the B ring enhanced the activity. Catechins without a pyrogallol-type structure in a molecule lacked activity. These data suggest the important role of the 5'(3')-hydroxyl group in the B-ring and that a pyrogallol-type structure in a molecule is a minimum requirement for apoptosis induction by catechin compounds.     

Secondary metabolites from two species of Pulicaria and their cytotoxic activity

Two new compounds, the sesquiterpene (1E,5E)-8β-acetoxy-4α-hydroxy-7βH-germacra-1(10),5-dien-14-oic acid (2), and a nor-sesquiterpene, (5E)-8β-acetoxy-4α-hydroxy-7βH-germacr-5-en-10-one (3), were isolated from Pulicaria canariensis ssp. lanata, along with ten known compounds, including the flavonoid 5,3'-dihydroxy-3,7,4'-trimethoxyflavone (4). From Pulicaria burchardii, we isolated seven known compounds; the physical and spectroscopic data of the triterpenoid 3β-hydroxytaraxaster-20-en-30-al (1) are reported. The structures of compounds 1-3 were determined on the basis of HR-MS, and 1D- and 2D-NMR studies. The structure of 2 was corroborated by X-ray crystal diffraction. Cell viability experiments revealed that the semisynthetic flavonoid 4b was the most cytotoxic compound against human leukemia cells, and the cytotoxicity was caused by induction of apoptosis, as determined by microscopy of nuclear changes.     

Amyrin esters induce cell death by apoptosis in HL-60 leukemia cells

Four derivatives of an α,β-amyrin mixture were synthesized by acylation with appropriate anhydrides. The structures of the compounds were confirmed by means of IR and (1)H and (13)C NMR. The compounds were screened for cytotoxic activity using four human tumor cell lines (HL-60, MDAMB-435, SF-295 and HCT-8) and normal peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). 3-O-Carboxymaleinate of α,β-amyrin (3a/3b) were found to be the only active compounds of the series (high cytotoxicity), showing IC(50) values ranging from 1.8 to 3μM. In PBMC, 3a/3b were not toxic, suggesting selectivity for tumor cells. To better understand the mechanism of action involved in the cytotoxicity of 3a/3b, HL-60 cells treated with 3a/3b were examined for morphological changes, DNA fragmentation, cell cycle perturbation, externalization of phosphatidylserine and activation of caspases 3/7, with doxorubicin serving as the positive control. The results indicate that the cytotoxicity of 3a/3b involves the induction of cell death by apoptosis.     

Design, synthesis, and evaluation of novel 4-thiazolylimidazoles as inhibitors of transforming growth factor-β type I receptor kinase

A novel series of 4-thiazolylimidazoles was synthesized as transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) type I receptor (also known as activin receptor-like kinase 5 or ALK5) inhibitors. These compounds were evaluated for their ALK5 inhibitory activity in an enzyme assay and their TGF-β-induced Smad2/3 phosphorylation inhibitory activity in a cell-based assay. N-{[5-(1,3-benzothiazol-6-yl)-4-(4-methyl-1,3-thiazol-2-yl)-1H-imidazol-2-yl]methyl}butanamide 20, a potent and selective ALK5 inhibitor, exhibited good enzyme inhibitory activity (IC(50)=8.2nM) as well as inhibitory activity against TGF-β-induced Smad2/3 phosphorylation at a cellular level (IC(50)=32nM).     

Synthesis and biological evaluation of novel 4-azaindolyl-indolyl-maleimides as glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β) inhibitors

A series of novel 4-azaindolyl-indolyl-maleimides were synthesized and evaluated for their GSK-3β inhibitory activity. Most compounds exhibited high potency to GSK-3β. Among them, compound 7c was the most promising GSK-3β inhibitor. Preliminary structure–activity relationships were discussed based on the experimental data obtained and showed that different substituents on the indole ring and side chains at 1-position of indole had varying degrees of influence on the GSK-3β inhibitory potency. In a cell-based functional assay, compounds 7c and 15a significantly reduced Aβ-induced Tau hyperphosphorylation by inhibiting GSK-3β.     

杨桃根水提取物化学成分及生物活性的研究

为探究杨桃根中具备降血糖功能的活性成分,采用色谱分离方法从其水提取物中分离得到9个化合物,应用波谱技术对它们的化学结构进行了鉴定,分别命名为prismaconnatoside(1),tarennanosides A(2),(+)-catechin(3),fernandoside(4),7a-[(β-glucopyranosyl) oxy]-lyoniresinol(5),(+)-lyoniresinol 3α-O-β-D-glucopyranoside(6),(-)-lyon-iresinol 3α-O-β-D-glucopyranoside(7),(-)-5’-methoxy-isolariciresinol 3α-O-β-D-glucopyranoside(8)和正辛烷(9)。其中化合物1,2,4,5均为首次从杨桃中分离得到,化合物3为首次从杨桃根中分离得到。对部分单体化合物进行了体外α-葡萄糖苷酶和DPP-IV酶抑制活性测试,化合物1具有较强的α-葡萄糖苷酶抑制活性。     

4β-[4′-(1-(Aryl)ureido)benzamide]podophyllotoxins as DNA topoisomerase I and IIα inhibitors and apoptosis inducing agents

A series of 4β-[4′-(1-(aryl)ureido)benzamide]podophyllotoxin congeners (11a–l) were synthesized and evaluated for their cytotoxic activity against six human cancer cell lines. Some of the compounds like 11a, 11h, 11k and 11l showed significant anti-proliferative activity in Colo-205 cells and were superior to etoposide. The flow-cytometric analysis studies indicated that these compounds show strong G1 cell cycle arrest, as well exhibited improved inhibitory activities on DNA topoisomerase I and IIα enzymes. These compounds induce apoptosis by up regulating caspase-3 protein as observed by ELISA and Western blotting analysis. In addition, a brief structure–activity relationship studies within the series along with docking results of representative compounds 11a, 11h, 11k, 11l were presented.     

Triterpenoids as inhibitors of erythrocytic and liver stages of Plasmodium infections

Bioassay-guided fractionation of the methanol extract of Momordica balsamina led to the isolation of two new cucurbitane-type triterpenoids, balsaminol F (1) and balsaminoside B (2), along with the known glycosylated cucurbitacins, cucurbita-5,24-diene-3β,23(R)-diol-7-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (3) and kuguaglycoside A (4). Compound 1 was acylated yielding two new triesters, triacetylbalsaminol F (5) and tribenzoylbalsaminol F (6). The structures were elucidated based on spectroscopic methods including 2D-NMR experiments (COSY, HMQC, HMBC and NOESY). Compounds 1-6, were evaluated for their antimalarial activity against the erythrocytic stages of the Plasmodium falciparum chloroquine-sensitive strain 3D7 and the chloroquine-resistant clone Dd2. Assessment of compounds (1-3 and 5, 6) activity against the liver stage of Plasmodium berghei was also performed, measuring the luminescence intensity in Huh-7 cells infected with a firefly luciferase-expressing P. berghei line, PbGFP-Luc(con). Active compounds were shown to inhibit the parasite's intracellular development rather than its ability to invade hepatic cells. Toxicity of compounds (1-3 and 5, 6) was assessed on the same cell line and on mouse primary hepatocytes through the fluorescence measurement of cell confluency. Furthermore, toxicity of compounds 1-6 towards human cells was also investigated in the MCF-7 breast cancer cell line, showing that they were not toxic or exhibited weak toxicity. In blood stages of P. falciparum, compounds 1-5 displayed antimalarial activity, revealing triacetylbalsaminol F (5) the highest antiplasmodial effects (IC(50) values: 0.4μM, 3D7; 0.2μM, Dd2). The highest antiplasmodial activity against the liver stages of P.berghei was also displayed by compound 5, with high inhibitory activity and no toxicity.