Antitumor and immunomodulating activities of a beta-glucan obtained from liquid-cultured Grifola frondosa

The effects of the beta-1,3-glucan, LELFD, obtained from liquid-cultured mycelium of Grifola frondosa, on the growth of syngeneic tumors and immune responses in mice were examined. In Meth A or IMC solid tumor systems, LELFD administered intraperitoneally (i.p.) or intralesionally (i.l.) exhibited significant antitumor effects. However, the growth of L1210 and P388 leukemias was unaffected by the injection of LELFD. The injection of LELFD i.p. enhanced the activities of natural killer cells and macrophages in mice. LELFD also enhanced the antibody response when it was injected i.p. with sheep red blood cells into mice. Furthermore, it was found that LELFD could activate the alternative complement pathway.     

Antitumor Activity of Vinyl Polymer Immobilized 5-Fluorouracils through Organosilicon-Amine Spacer Groups via Urea Bonds

Abstract

The homopolymerization of vinyl monomer immobilized 5-fluorouracils (5FU) through organosilicon-amine spacer groups via urea bonds (KY-20) and the copolymerization of KY-20 with vinyl monomer were carried out by a radical technique to give the homopolymer [Poly(KY-20)] and copolymer [Poly(KY-20/vinyl monomer)], respectively. The antitumor activities of Poly(KY-20) and Poly(KY-20/vinyl monomer) were tested against p388 lymphocytic leukemia by intraperitoneal (i.p.) transplantation/i.p. or oral (p.o.) administration and against Meth-A fibrosarcoma or MM46 mammary adenocarcinoma in mice by subcutaneous (s.c.) implantation/p.o. administration. These 5FU/ organosilicon-amine hybrid polymer conjugates exhibited significant survival effects against p388 leukemia in mice i.p./i.p. or i.p./p.o. Poly(KY-20/HPMA) also showed stronger growth-inhibitory effects against Meth-A fibrosarcoma and MM46 mammary adenocarcinoma in mice s.c./p.o.     

Chromatographic and spectral investigations on the in vivo metabolites of 6-nitrobenzo[a]pyrene

6-Nitrobenzo[a]pyrene (6-NBaP) occurs in the environment, is mutagenic in the Ames assay in the presence of added S9 and is carcinogenic to male but not female mouse liver when injected intraperitoneally (i.p.) into mice. In order to understand what kinds of active metabolites could have been produced in vivo, both male and female mice were injected i.p. with 6-NBaP in dimethyl sulfoxide. Twenty-four hours after injection, urine, feces, blood, liver and spleen (non-target tissue) were examined for metabolites by chromatographic and high-resolution mass spectral means. On the basis of the mass spectral fragmentation patterns of synthetic and metabolic standards, it was observed that both male and female animals excreted ring-hydroxylated metabolites of 6-NBaP in the urine to differing extents. Male animals additionally excreted 6-aminobenzo[a]pyrene and the significance of this observation is discussed.     

Potentiation of ifosfamide toxicity by chlordiazepoxide, diazepam and oxazepam

The effects of chlordiazepoxide, diazepam and oxazepam on the lethal toxicity and metabolic activation of ifosfamide were investigated in mice. Ifosfamide was administered 24 h after the final injection of chlordiazepoxide, diazepam or oxazepam (100 mg/kg/d for 3 d, i.p.). The prior administration of chlordiazepoxide, diazepam or oxazepam enhanced the toxicity of ifosfamide (778 mg/kg, i.p.) during observation for 6 d after the administration of ifosfamide. In chlordiazepoxide-, diazepam- or oxazepam-treated mice, a higher concentration of active metabolite in the plasma after the administration of ifosfamide (200 or 600 mg/kg, i.p.) was observed as compared with that in mice treated with ifosfamide alone. On the other hand, chlordizepoxide, diazepam or oxazepam markedly enhanced the activity of ifosfamide oxidase in the liver microsomes. These results suggest that the potentiation of ifosfamide toxicity is due to stimulation of the metabolic activation of ifosfamide by chlordizepoxide, diazepam and oxazepam.     

Synthesis and antitumor activity of 6-O-carboxymethyl chitin fixing 5-fluorouracils through pentamethylene, monomethylene spacer groups via amide, ester bonds.

In order to provide the water-soluble and biodegradable macromolecular prodrug of 5-fluorouracil (5FU), the fixation of 5FUs to 6-O-carboxymethyl chitin(CM-chitin) through pentamethylene, monomethylene spacer groups via amide, ester bonds was carried out. The obtained CM-chitin/5FU conjugate showed the slow release of 5FU and exhibited remarkable antitumor activity against P388 lymphocytic leukemia in mice by intraperitoneal(i.p.) implantation/i.p. injection.     

Cannabidiol Attenuates MK-801-Induced Cognitive Symptoms of Schizophrenia in the Passive Avoidance Test in Mice

Schizophrenia is a chronic mental disorder that disturbs feelings and behavior. The symptoms of schizophrenia fall into three categories: positive, negative, and cognitive. Cognitive symptoms are characterized by memory loss or attentional deficits, and are especially difficult to treat. Thus, there is intense research into the development of new treatments for schizophrenia-related responses. One of the possible strategies is connected with cannabidiol (CBD), a cannabinoid compound. This research focuses on the role of CBD in different stages of memory (acquisition, consolidation, retrieval) connected with fear conditioning in the passive avoidance (PA) learning task in mice, as well as in the memory impairment typical of cognitive symptoms of schizophrenia. Memory impairment was provoked by an acute injection of the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist MK-801 (animal model of schizophrenia). Our results revealed that an acute injection of CBD (30 mg/kg; intraperitoneally (i.p.) improved all phases of long-term fear memory in the PA test in mice. Moreover, the acute injection of non-effective doses of CBD (1 or 5 mg/kg; i.p.) attenuated the memory impairment provoked by MK-801 (0.6 mg/kg; i.p.) in the consolidation and retrieval stages of fear memory, but not in the acquisition of memory. The present findings confirm that CBD has a positive influence on memory and learning processes in mice, and reveals that this cannabinoid compound is able to attenuate memory impairment connected with hypofunction of glutamate transmission in a murine model of schizophrenia.     

Central depressant effects of N3-substituted 6-azauridines in mice.

Central depressant effects in mice of N3-substituted 6-azauridines (6-AzUd) (1) were examined by intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) injection. Eleven derivatives including alkyl-, benzyl-, xylyl- and phenylethyl-substitution onto the N3-position of 1 were synthesized and their pharmacological effects were evaluated using hypnotic activity, locomotor activity, motor incoordination and pentobarbital-induced sleep prolongation as indices. Six of 12 compounds showed the hypnotic activity. At a dose of 2 mumol/mouse, the mean sleeping time induced by 1, N3-benzyl-6-AzUd (7), N3-o-xylyl-6-AzUd (8), N3-m-xylyl-6-AzUd (9), N3-p-xylyl-6-AzUd (10) and N3-alpha-phenylethyl-6-AzUd (11) was 14, 11, 45, 12, 9 and 16 min, respectively. These derivatives and N3-beta-phenylethyl-6-AzUd (12) (1.5 mumol/mouse) significantly prolonged pentobarbital-induced (40 mg/kg, i.p.) sleeping time, whereas none of the N3-alkylated derivatives (methyl-, ethyl-, n-propyl-, n-butyl- and allyl-substitution) exerted the hypnotic activity or pentobarbital-induced sleep prolongation. Nucleoside 1 and its xylyl-derivatives (1.5 mumol/mouse) significantly decreased locomotor activity of mice, their effects paralleled the hypnotic activity. These compounds (1.5 mumol/mouse) also produced motor incoordination and potentiated the effect of diazepam-induced motor incoordination. These results indicate that 1 and its benzyl-related derivatives, but not alkyl-derivatives have a depressant effect on the central nervous system.     

Comparative pharmacokinetics of 67Ga among the different routes of injection

The pharmacokinetic study of 67Ga-citrate (67Ga) following intravenous (i.v.), subcutaneous (s.c.) and intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection was performed in anesthetized rats using the repeated blood sampling method by cannulation technique into the external jugular vein. The disappearance of 67Ga from the blood following i.v. and s.c. injection was best fit a three-exponential equation. There was no significant difference between the areas under the curves following i.v. and s.c. injection of 67Ga. In the case of i.p. injection, the disappearance of 67Ga from the blood was described by a two-exponential equation. However, the maximum blood radioactivity was very low, and the disappearance rate of 67Ga from the blood was extremely slow compared to the other routes of injection. The conclusion from these results was that s.c. injection was as suitable as i.v. injection, but i.p. injection was not appropriate for the distribution study of 67Ga such as scintigraphy or autoradiography. However, i.p. route may be available for a special experiment which needs the long-time retention of 67Ga in the blood.     

Synthesis and central nervous system depressant effects of N3-substituted 2',3'-O-isopropylideneuridines

N3-Substituted derivatives of 2',3'-O-isopropylideneuridine (1) were synthesized and their pharmacological effects on the central nervous system (CNS) examined using mice. Methyl (2), ethyl (3), propyl (4), butyl (5), allyl (6), benzyl (7), o-, m-, p-xylyls (8, 9, 10), and alpha-phenylethyl (11) derivatives of 1 were administered to mice by intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) injection for evaluating hypnotic activity, pentobarbital-induced sleep prolongation, and spontaneous activity as indices. Only 3 possessed hypnotic activity by i.c.v. injection at the dose of 2.0 mumol/mouse. Compounds 3, 4, and 10 significantly showed synergism with a barbiturate, indicating that the derivatives have some CNS depressant effects. Moreover, 3 and 4 caused decrease in the spontaneous activity of mice, even at low doses. The present study indicated that substitution by ethyl, propyl, and p-xylyl groups at the N3-position of 2',3'-O-isopropylideneuridine imparted the CNS depressant effects.     

Studies on cerebral protective agents. I. Novel 4-arylpyrimidine derivatives with anti-anoxic and anti-lipid peroxidation activities.

Novel 4-arylpyrimidine derivatives were synthesized by the oxidation of 4-aryl-1,4-dihydropyrimidines, and their effects on anti-anoxic (AA) activity in mice and anti-lipid peroxidation (ALP) activity in rat brain mitochondria were investigated. Among these compounds, ethyl 6-methyl-2-phenyl-4-(4-pyridyl)-5-pyrimidinecarboxylate (4b) has AA activity (10 mg/kg, i.p.) and ethyl 6-methyl-4-(3-nitrophenyl)-2-phenyl-5-pyrimidinecarboxylate (4f) has ALP activity (73% inhibition at 10(-5) g/ml). The latter compound (100 mg/kg, i.p.) was also effective on arachidonate-induced cerebral edema in rats with comparable potency to that of vitamin E.     

Combination of flow-injection techniques with atomic spectrometry in agricultural and environmental analysis

Combinations of flow-injection techniques with flame atomic absorption spectrometry (a.a.s.) and inductively-coupled plasma/atomic emission spectrometry (i.c.p./a.e.s.) are reviewed in the general context of agricultural and environmental analysis. The flow-injection systems are valuable for sample introduction; appropriate dispersion control allows the analysis of solutions containing as much as 40% (w/v) urea or phosphate in fertilizers. A study on the determination of cadmium in soil extracts by on-line ion-exchange preconcentration and flame a.a.s. detection is described. The interpolative standard-addition method with i.c.p./a.e.s. detection is outlined. Improvements in the determinations of selenium in environmental samples by hydride-generation a.a.s. and of mercury by cold-vapour a.a.s. are reported.     

Intravenously administered (1----3)-beta-D-glucan, SSG, obtained from Sclerotinia sclerotiorum IFO 9395 augments murine peritoneal macrophage functions in vivo.

Effect of intravenously (i.v.) or intraperitoneally (i.p.) administered (1----3)-beta-D-glucan, SSG, obtained from Sclerotinia sclerotiorum IFO 9395 on the murine peritoneal macrophage (PM) functions were examined. A single i.v. administration of SSG increased the number of PMs at a dose of 250 micrograms/mouse, and the peak appeared 4 d after administration. However, no special change was observed on peritoneal exude cell (PEC) populations. These PMs showed augmented lysosomal enzyme activity and the peaks appeared in 2 phases, on days 2 and 10. In contrast, SSG administered i.p. (250 micrograms/mouse) increased the number of PMs and enhanced the lysosomal enzyme activity of PMs from day 4, and a broad peak appeared until days 8--12. The populations of PECs were also changed by i.p. injection of SSG. Additionally, SSG administered i.v. enhanced phagocytic activity, H2O2 production and interleukin 1 (IL-1) production, and the kinetics of the activation differed depending on the activities. These data suggest that the effects of SSG on macrophage functions are different depending on administration routes, and there are some different mechanisms in the activation of macrophages in vivo by SSG.     

Preclinical Pharmacokinetics and Acute Toxicity in Rats of 5-{[(2E)-3-Bromo-3-carboxyprop-2-enoyl]amino}-2-hydroxybenzoic Acid: A Novel 5-Aminosalicylic Acid Derivative with Potent Anti-Inflammatory Activity

Compound 5-{[(2E)-3-bromo-3-carboxyprop-2-enoyl]amino}-2-hydroxybenzoic acid (C1), a new 5-aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA) derivative, has proven to be an antioxidant in vitro and an anti-inflammatory agent in mice. The in vivo inhibition of myeloperoxidase was comparable to that of indomethacin. The aim of this study was to take another step in the preclinical evaluation of C1 by examining acute toxicity with the up-and-down OECD method and pharmacokinetic profiles by administration of the compound to Wistar rats through intravenous (i.v.), oral (p.o.), and intraperitoneal (i.p.) routes. According to the Globally Harmonized System, C1 belongs to categories 4 and 5 for the i.p. and p.o. routes, respectively. An RP-HPLC method for C1 quantification in plasma was successfully validated. Regarding the pharmacokinetic profile, the elimination half-life was approximately 0.9 h with a clearance of 24 mL/min after i.v. administration of C1 (50 mg/kg). After p.o. administration (50 mg/kg), the maximum plasma concentration was reached at 33 min, the oral bioavailability was about 77%, and the compound was amply distributed to all tissues evaluated. Therefore, C1 administered p.o. in rats is suitable for reaching the colon where it can exert its effect, suggesting an important advantage over 5-ASA and indomethacin in treating ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease.     

Kinetics of Photobleaching of Protoporphyrin IX in the Skin of Nude Mice Exposed to Different Fluence Rates of Red Light

Abstract— The purpose of the present study was to determine the kinetics and the fluence rate dependency of the photo-bleaching of protoporphyrin IX (PpIX) in normal skin of Balb/c nude mice after systemic and topical application of 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA). ALA was administered systemically (200 mg/kg body weight, i.p.) and topically (20% w/w ALA cream) to the mice. Fluences of up to 40 J/cm² were delivered by a dye laser (636 nm) at fluence rates of 37.5, 75, 150, 300 and 500 mW/cm². The photo-bleaching rate was constant within this range of fluence rates. This result suggests that there is no oxygen effect for PpIX photobleaching in this region for the skin of Balb/c nude mice. During light exposure the fluorescence decay followed neither first- nor second-order kinetics. The decay rate was slightly faster after systemic application than after topical application of ALA, but did not depend on the time (1–8 h) between application and analysis.     

Protective effects of hominis placenta hydrolysates on radiation enteropathy in mice

The aim of this study was to investigate whether the hominis placenta hydrolysates (HPhs) have a protective effect against radiation-induced enteropathies. HPh (1-10?mg?kg?1, i.p.) was treated to C57BL/6 mice, once daily for 5 days. Mice were irradiated (10?Gy) 1?h after the last injection. Cell damage was investigated at 24 and 72?h by haematoxylin-eosin staining, and the apoptotic index was determined at 24?h by deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labelling staining. The results showed that the HPh alleviated radiation-induced damage of crypts and suppressed apoptosis dose dependently. In conclusion, hominis placenta might be a beneficial agent against radiation-induced intestinal complications.     

Synthesis and pharmacological evaluation in mice of halogenated cannabidiol derivatives

Six halogenated derivatives of cannabidiol (CBD, 1) substituted on the aromatic ring at the 3' and/or 5' position, 3'-chloro- (2), 3',5'-dichloro- (3), 3'-bromo- (4), 3',5'-dibromo- (5), 3'-iodo- (6) and 3',5'-diiodo-CBD (7) were synthesized and their pharmacological effects of barbiturate-induced sleep prolongation, anticonvulsant effects and locomotor activity were evaluated by intravenous (i.v.) injection in mice. 2 (10 mg/kg, i.v., 69 +/- 10 min) significantly prolonged pentobarbital-induced sleeping time by 3.1-fold, compared to control (22 +/- 2 min), although other 1 derivatives used did not significantly affect the sleeping time. 2, 4 and 6 (10 mg/kg, i.v.) significantly prolonged hexobarbital-induced sleeping time by 2.0-, 2.0- and 2.3-fold, respectively, compared with control (52 +/- 5 min). On the other hand, 1 and all halogenated derivatives did not significantly prolong barbital-induced sleeping time. The monohalogenated derivatives, 2, 4 and 6 were able to prolong pentobarbital and hexobarbital-induced sleeping time, although the dihalogenated derivatives, 3, 5 and 7 did not exhibit a prolongation of the sleeping time. All halogenated derivatives of 1 except for brominated derivatives (2, 3, 6, 7) tended to prolong tonic seizure latency induced by pentylenetetrazol. 1 and its halogenated derivatives did not exhibit any prolongation of seizure latency induced by picrotoxin or strychnine. Maximal electroshock test demonstrated that 1 and 4 exhibited almost the same potency in their anticonvulsant effects, although other 1 derivatives 2, 3, 5, 6 and 7 did not show significant effect up to a dose of 63 mg/kg, i.v. The ED50 values (mg/kg, i.v.) of 1 and 4 were 38 and 44, respectively. 1 and 4 also showed anticonvulsant effect in minimal and maximal electroshock-threshold tests. 2, 4 and 6 tended to decrease the total distance (horizontal activity) and number of rearings (vertical activity) of mice, whereas 3, 5 and 7 tended to increase the number of rearings. However, the effects of all derivatives were not statistically significant from the control. 2 and 4 were the most potent derivatives on pharmacological activities among the synthetic cannabinoids examined in the present study. These results indicate that monohalogenation of 1 leads to some modification of the pharmacological profile of CBD.     

An in vitro and in vivo investigation into the suitability of bacterially triggered delivery system for colon targeting

The colon specific drug delivery systems based on polysaccharides; locust bean gum and chitosan in the ratio of 2 : 3, 3 : 2 and 4 : 1 were evaluated using in vitro and in vivo methods. The in vitro studies in pH 6.8 phosphate buffer containing 2% w/v rat caecal contents showed that the cumulative percentage release of mesalazine after 26 h were 31.25+/-0.56, 46.25+/-0.96, 97.5+/-0.26 (mean+/-S.D.), respectively. The in vivo studies conducted in nine healthy male human volunteers for the various formulations revealed that, the drug release was initiated only after 5 h (i.e.) transit time of small intestine and the bioavailability (AUC(0-->t*)) of the drug was found to be 85.24+/-0.10, 196.08+/-0.12, 498.62+/-0.10 microg x h/ml 26 (mean+/-S.D.), respectively. These studies on the polysaccharides demonstrated that the combination of locust bean gum and chitosan as a coating material proved capable of protecting the core tablet containing mesalazine during the condition mimicking mouth to colon transit. In particular, the formulation containing locust bean gum and chitosan in the ratio of 4 : 1 held a better dissolution profile, higher bioavailability and hence a potential carrier for drug targeting to colon.     

Improved pharmacokinetics, biodistribution and necrosis in vivo using a new near infra-red photosensitizer: tetrahydroporphyrin tetratosylat

The search for better photosensitizers for photodynamic therapy of malignancies has led to the investigation of a new water-soluble, positively charged, and chemical stable tetrahydroporphyrin tetratosylat (THPTS) with a strong absorption at 760.5 nm, belonging to the bacteriochlorophyll family. THPTS undergoes a rapid uptake by human choroidal melanoma (CM) cells with a weak dark toxicity after a 24-h incubation (LD10 = 150 microM, LD50 = 6.0 mM). In response to laser light at 760+/-3 nm and doses of 10, 15 and 30 J/cm2, around 71%, 76%, and 92% of the CM cells were killed, respectively. Studies of pharmacokinetics and biodistribution in vivo (living mice) and ex vivo (excised organs) were made in a Balb/c mice bearing subcutaneously inoculated C26 colon carcinoma using fiber-optic spectrofluorimetry (FOS). Tumours were irradiated 3 h after intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of 5.0 mg/kg THPTS with an incoherent light source at 750+/-20 nm and an intensity of 100 mW/cm2 and fluences of 60, 90 and 120 J/cm2. THPTS demonstrated preferential accumulation in C26 colon carcinoma in comparison with most normal tissues except kidneys. For the tissues of liver, colon, muscle, and spleen the tumour/normal tissue ratio (TNTR) ranged from 8.0 to 50. After irradiation with 120 J/cm2 the depth of tumour necrosis reached 15 mm. Histological examination of the tumour samples 24 h after THPTS-PDT, revealed severe stasis in the blood vessels and coagulative necrosis. These results suggest that THPTS-PDT may be of particular importance in the treatment of accessible malignancies.     

Synthesis and analgesic effect of normorphine-3- and -6-glucuronides

Normorphine-3- and -6-glucuronides were synthesized, and their analgesic effects were examined. Normorphine-3-glucuronide was obtained by condensation of normorphine with acetobromoglucuronate in the presence of sodium hydroxide in acetone. On the other hand, normorphine-6-glucuronide was synthesized by condensing N,O3-biscarbobenzoxynormorphine with acetobromoglucuronate in the presence of silver carbonate, and removing the protecting groups from the resultant reaction product by catalytic hydrogenation and solvolysis with sodium methoxide and barium hydroxide. The analgesic effect of normorphine-6-glucuronide (ED50 0.036 nmol/mice) was 125-fold more potent than that of normorphine in mice injected i.c.v. Normorphine-3-glucuronide was shown to be 37% effective at a dose of 2 nmol/mice, but induced convulsion at higher doses when given by i.c.v. injection.     

Synthesis and Evaluation of Nicotinoylamino Acid Compounds as Radiosensitizer

Nicotinoylamino acid compounds 4, 5, 9a, 9b, 9c, 10a and 10b were synthesized with nicotinoyl chloride or nicotinoyl azide as acetylating agents of amino acid esters or amino acids. The compounds were tested for their radiosensitizing activity in Leukemia cell line（L1210） and compared with nicotinamide; among them, compounds 9a and 9c showed significant radiosensitizing effects, the sensitizer enhancement ratio（SER） was 1.64 and 1.58, respectively, while nicotinamide did not show good radiosensitizing effect under the same conditions. Compound 9c was alone tested for radiosensitization in LA 795 cell-bearing T-739 mice, or hyperthermia and breathing carbogen（5%CO2＋95%O2） were together tested for radiosensitization. The results showed that radiation-induced growth delay was enhanced by 9c alone or by the combination of hypertheimia and carbogen. The tumor-bearing mice were irradiated locally by total 10 Gy, and the tumors grew to three times that of the original volume in an average of 5.8 d. The mice were given i.p. compound 9c at 1000 mg/kg 60 min before irradiation and treated at 43 ℃ for 30 min after irradiation or treated with breathing carbogen for 5 min before radiation or with hyperthmia（43 ℃） for 30 min after irradiation; the time required for the tumor to grow to three times the orginal volume was in an average of 12.9 and 13 d, respectively.