Does cytotoxicity of metallointercalators correlate with cellular uptake or DNA affinity?

The cytotoxicity of the metallointercalators, [Pt(5,6-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline)(trans-1R,2R-diaminocyclohexane)](2+) ([56MERR]) and [Pt(5,6-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline)(trans-1S,2S-diaminocyclohexane)](2+) ([56MESS]), towards A549 human lung cancer cells was examined using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. The IC(50) value obtained following exposure of A549 cells to [56MESS] for 4 h was approximately three times smaller than that obtained when [56MERR] was administered under the same conditions, indicating that the former complex displayed greater cytotoxicity. Both IC(50) values were greater than that obtained after exposure of A549 cells to cisplatin, demonstrating that the latter compound was the most cytotoxic of the three examined. Microprobe synchrotron radiation X-ray fluorescence (SR-XRF) analyses of metallointercalator-treated A549 cells showed that platinum became localised in DNA-rich regions of the nucleus. In contrast, when the same cells were treated with cisplatin the metal became distributed throughout the cell. Determination of the maximum concentration of platinum present inside the cells using graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrophotometry (GFAAS) of platinum-treated cells suggested that there was greater uptake of [56MERR] compared to [56MESS] by the A549 cells, and that platinum uptake did not account for the greater toxicity of [56MESS], as assessed by the MTT assay. Electrospray ionization mass spectrometric (ESI-MS) and circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopic studies of solutions containing either [56MERR] or [56MESS], and a duplex hexadecamer molecule, showed the two metallointercalators displayed very similar affinity towards the nucleic acid. Overall these results indicate that the difference in cytotoxicity of the two platinum metallointercalators is probably the result of variations in their interactions with other cellular components.     

Nomad Jellyfish Rhopilema nomadica Venom Induces Apoptotic Cell Death and Cell Cycle Arrest in Human Hepatocellular Carcinoma HepG2 Cells

Jellyfish venom is a rich source of bioactive proteins and peptides with various biological activities including antioxidant, antimicrobial and antitumor effects. However, the anti-proliferative activity of the crude extract of Rhopilema nomadica jellyfish venom has not been examined yet. The present study aimed at the investigation of the in vitro effect of R. nomadica venom on liver cancer cells (HepG2), breast cancer cells (MDA-MB231), human normal fibroblast (HFB4), and human normal lung cells (WI-38) proliferation by using MTT assay. The apoptotic cell death in HepG2 cells was investigated using Annexin V-FITC/PI double staining-based flow cytometry analysis, western blot analysis, and DNA fragmentation assays. R. nomadica venom displayed significant dose-dependent cytotoxicity on HepG2 cells after 48 h of treatment with IC₅₀ value of 50 μg/mL and higher toxicity (3:5-fold change) against MDA-MB231, HFB4, and WI-38 cells. R. nomadica venom showed a prominent increase of apoptosis as revealed by cell cycle arrest at G2/M phase, upregulation of p53, BAX, and caspase-3 proteins, and the down-regulation of anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 protein and DNA fragmentation. These findings suggest that R. nomadica venom induces apoptosis in hepatocellular carcinoma cells. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first scientific evidence demonstrating the induction of apoptosis and cell cycle arrest of R. nomadica jellyfish venom.     

New cytotoxic C-3 dehydrated bufadienolides from the venom of Bufo bufo gargarizans

Three new C-3 dehydrated bufadienolides were isolated from the venom of Bufo bufo gargarizans. Their structures were elucidated as 5β,12β-12,14-dihydroxy-11-oxobufa-3,20,22-trienolide （1）, 5β,12β- 12,14-dihydroxy-11 -oxobufa-2,20,22-trienolide （2）, and 5β,12β-12,14-dihydroxy-11 -oxobufa-2,20,22- trienolide （3） on the basis of extensive spectroscopic analysis, especially 1D NMR and 2D NMR data. In addition, all three compounds were tested for their cytotoxic activities against A549 and HepG2 cancer cell lines. Compounds 2 and 3 showed significant cytotoxicities with IC50 values less than 10 μmol/L on both cancer cells.     

In vivo studies with [methyl-3H]-thymidine regarding the effect of methyl donors cocktail in cancer therapy

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of methyl donor biovectors as cocktail formulation in cancer therapy. Based on our previous results regarding the pharmacokinetic of [Methyl-¹⁴C] Choline and [Methyl-³H] S-Adenosyl-Methionine (SAM) in presence of Folic Acid and their properties in the regulation of transmethylation metabolism, a cocktail solution of SAM, Choline and Folic Acid was prepared taking into account the previosly established molar ratios. The studies regarding the therapeutic effect of cocktail solution were effectuated on RS1 tumor bearing animal models. For evaluation of tumour cell proliferation we used the [Methyl-³H]-Thymidine with 25 Ci/mmol specific activity. The biodistribution studies were perfomed on untreated and treated tumuor bearing animals. The animal lots dedicated for treatment with methyl donors cocktail were treated with 200 μL cocktail for 4 days. After finishing the treatment, both untreated and treated animal lots were injected with 150 μCi [Methyl-³H]-Thymidine. Biodistribution studies were performed at 2, 4 and 8 hours post injection. The biodistribution results showed that at tumor level the uptake of [Methyl-³H]Thymidine is higher in the untreated animals (0.78%ID/g at 2 h, 1.07%ID/g at 4 h and 1.35%ID/g at 8 h) than in treated animals (0.06%ID/g at 2 h, 0.11%ID/g at 4 h and 0.13%ID/g at 8 h). The results regarding the Homocysteine levels in investigated animals show a decreasing of Homocysteine concentration up to normal values for treated animals.     

Isoquino[4,5-bc]acridines: design, synthesis and evaluation of DNA binding, anti-tumor and DNA photo-damaging ability

Several novel isoquino[4,5-bc]acridine derivatives have been designed and synthesized. Their DNA-binding, anti-tumor and DNA-photo-damaging properties were investigated. A4 exhibited the highest anti-tumor activities against both A 549 (human lung cancer cell) and P388 (murine leukemia cells). All these compounds were found to be more cytotoxic against P388 than against A549. Under 365-nm light irradiation, A3 damaged plasmid DNA pBR322 at <2 microM and cleaved DNA from form I to 100% form II by 50 microM. The mechanism studies revealed that A3 damaged DNA by electron transfer mechanism and singlet oxygen species.     

Synthesis and in vitro cytotoxic evaluation of 2-hydrazinylpyrido[2,3-b]pyrazin-3(4H)-one derivatives

A series of novel 2-hydrazinylpyrido[2,3-b]pyrazin-3（4H）-one derivatives were synthesized and evaluated for their cytotoxic activities against A549,MDA-MB-231 and HT-29 cell lines in vitro.Pharmacological data indicated that compounds 5b,5c,10a and 10g possessed marked cytotoxicity,especially 10a(with IC₅₀ values of 0.81,2.56 and 1.63μmol/L against A549,MDA-MB- 23 1 and HT29 cell lines,respectively),which had emerged as a lead compound.     

One-pot two-step synthesis of fused thiazinofuranone linked geminal bis 1,2,3-triazole hybrids and their in vitro cytotoxic screening

In this study, a series of novel geminal bis 1,2,3-triazoles linked to 2H-furo[2,3-d][1,3]thiazine-2,4,5(1H,6H)-trione ( 3a-3m ) were prepared in one pot starting from 5-Acetyl-4-Hydroxy-1,3-thiazine-2,6-dione ( 1 ) to 6,6-diazido-2H-furo[2,3-d][1,3]thiazine-2,4,5(1H,6H)-trione ( 2 ) followed by Cu(I)-catalyzed azide-alkyne cycloaddition. The synthesized compounds were further explored for in vitro cytotoxic activity against PC3, A549, MCF-7, and HeLa cell lines and results revealed that the five compounds 3c , 3d , 3g , 3l , and 3m have displayed comparable in vitro cytotoxic activity with the standard drug Etoposide.     

Design,Synthesis, and Anticancer Screening for Repurposed Pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidine Derivatives on Four Mammalian Cancer Cell Lines

The present study reports the synthesis of new purine bioisosteres comprising a pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidine scaffold linked to mono-, di-, and trimethoxy benzylidene moieties through hydrazine linkages. First, in silico docking experiments of the synthesized compounds against Bax, Bcl-2, Caspase-3, Ki67, p21, and p53 were performed in a trial to rationalize the observed cytotoxic activity for the tested compounds. The anticancer activity of these compounds was evaluated in vitro against Caco-2, A549, HT1080, and Hela cell lines. Results revealed that two (5 and 7) of the three synthesized compounds (5, 6, and 7) showed high cytotoxic activity against all tested cell lines with IC₅₀ values in the micro molar concentration. Our in vitro results show that there is no significant apoptotic effect for the treatment with the experimental compounds on the viability of cells against A549 cells. Ki67 expression was found to decrease significantly following the treatment of cells with the most promising candidate: drug 7. The overall results indicate that these pyrazolopyrimidine derivatives possess anticancer activity at varying doses. The suggested mechanism of action involves the inhibition of the proliferation of cancer cells.     

Synthesis,characterization, cytotoxicity and computational studies of new phosphine‐ and carbodithioate‐based palladium(II) complexes

In quest of new metallo‐pharmaceuticals with enhanced anticancer activity, four new phosphine‐ and carbodithioate‐based Pd(II) complexes of the type [(R)CS₂Pd(PR₃)Cl] (where R = 4‐(2‐hydroxyethyl)piperazine ( 1 , 2 ), dibenzyl ( 3 , 4 ); PR₃ = diphenyl(p ‐tolyl)phosphine ( 1 , 3 ), tris(4‐tolyl)phosphine ( 2 , 4 )) were synthesized and characterized using elemental analysis, Fourier transform infrared and NMR (¹H, ¹³C and ³¹P) spectroscopies and single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. The X‐ray diffraction data confirmed the pseudo square‐planar geometry ensuring bidentate coordination mode of carbodithioate ligands. Anticancer activity of the synthesized complexes and their ligands was assessed against human lung (A549), breast (MCF‐7) and prostate (PC3) carcinoma cells using MTT assay. All the tested compounds showed activity in micromolar range. In many cases, the cytotoxicity of the synthesized complexes was higher than or comparable to that of the standard drugs cisplatin and doxorubicin. Complex 3 emerged as the most promising compound with the lowest IC₅₀ values of 4.83, 3.72 and 5.11 μM for A549, MCF‐7 and PC3 carcinoma cell lines, respectively. DNA binding studies were also carried out using UV–visible spectroscopy. We extended our investigations to explore the mechanism of anticancer activity using in silico tools. Based on the mechanism of action of standard drugs used, extensive docking studies were carried out on the three different biomolecular targets.     

Association of Ceramide Accumulation with Photodynamic Treatment-Induced Cell Death

Abstract— Ceramide, a stress-induced second messenger, has been associated with apoptosis in several malignant and non-malignant cell lines. We have shown that photodynamic treatment (PDT), using the phthalocyanine photosensitiz-er Pc 4 (HOSiPcOSi[CH₃]₂[CH₂]₃N[CH₃]₂), causes increased ceramide generation and subsequent induction of apoptosis in L5178Y-R (LY-R) mouse lymphoma cells. To test further if ceramide generation accompanies photocytotoxicity, we treated various cell lines with a PDT dose producing a 99-99.9% loss of clonogenicity. Like LY-R cells, human leukemia (U937) cells underwent rapid DNA fragmentation initiating within 1 h after PDT. Similarly, Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells showed rapid DNA laddering, beginning 1 h following the treatment. In contrast, mouse radiation-induced fibrosarcoma (RIF-1) cells showed no apoptosis within 24 h post-PDT, as judged by the absence of 50 kbp and oligonucleosome-size DNA fragments, as well as no annexin V binding to cells with preserved membrane integrity. Using the same doses of PDT, we observed a time-dependent ceramide accumulation in all three cell lines. While a significant increase in ceramide levels was reached within 1 and 10 min in U937 and CHO cells, respectively, elevated ceramide production was measured only after 30 min in RIF-1 cells. In addition, exogenous N-acetyl-sphingosine was able to mimic PDT-induced apoptosis in U937 and CHO cells. We suggest that ceramide accumulation is associated with PDT-induced apoptosis and photocytotox-icity.     

Lysosome‐targeted potent half‐sandwich iridium(III) α‐diimine antitumor complexes

Fifteen organometallic Ir(III) half‐sandwich complexes ( 1A – 5C ) having the general formula [(η⁵‐Cp^x)Ir(N^N)Cl]PF₆ (Cp^x = Cp*, tetramethyl(phenyl)cyclopentadienyl (Cp^xph) or tetramethyl(biphenyl)cyclopentadienyl (Cp^xbiph); N^N = diamine) have been synthesized and characterized. The molecular structure of 1A was determined using single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis. The hydrolysis of 1A – 5C was monitored using UV–visible spectra. Complexes 3A – 3C showed catalytic activity for the oxidation of NADH to NAD⁺, where 3C showed the highest turnover number of 29.9 within 450 min. Cytotoxicity examination by MTT assay was carried out against two human cancer cell lines (HeLa and A549) after 24 or 48 h drug treatment. The complexes showed high potency, where the most potent complex ( 3C ; IC₅₀ = 3.4 μM) was six times more active than cisplatin against A549 cells after 24 h drug exposure. Cytotoxic potency towards A549 cells increased with phenyl substitution on Cp ring: Cp^xbiph > Cp^xph > Cp*. In addition, the biological studies showed that 3C caused cell apoptosis and cell cycle arrest at G₁ phase in A549 cancer cells. Moreover, 3C increased the level of reactive oxygen species markedly after 24 h, which may provide an important basis for killing cancer cells. Confocal laser scanning microscopy was used to track 3C in A549 cells. The cellular localization experiment showed that 3C targeted lysosomes and caused lysosomal damage.     

Design,Synthesis, Biological Evaluation and In Silico Study of Benzyloxybenzaldehyde Derivatives as Selective ALDH1A3 Inhibitors

Aldehyde dehydrogenase 1A3 (ALDH1A3) has recently gained attention from researchers in the cancer field. Several studies have reported ALDH1A3 overexpression in different cancer types, which has been found to correlate with poor treatment recovery. Therefore, finding selective inhibitors against ALDH1A3 could result in new treatment options for cancer treatment. In this study, ALDH1A3-selective candidates were designed based on the physiological substrate resemblance, synthesized and investigated for ALDH1A1, ALDH1A3 and ALDH3A1 selectivity and cytotoxicity using ALDH-positive A549 and ALDH-negative H1299 cells. Two compounds (ABMM-15 and ABMM-16), with a benzyloxybenzaldehyde scaffold, were found to be the most potent and selective inhibitors for ALDH1A3, with IC₅₀ values of 0.23 and 1.29 µM, respectively. The results also show no significant cytotoxicity for ABMM-15 and ABMM-16 on either cell line. However, a few other candidates (ABMM-6, ABMM-24, ABMM-32) showed considerable cytotoxicity on H1299 cells, when compared to A549 cells, with IC₅₀ values of 14.0, 13.7 and 13.0 µM, respectively. The computational study supported the experimental results and suggested a good binding for ABMM-15 and ABMM-16 to the ALDH1A3 isoform. From the obtained results, it can be concluded that benzyloxybenzaldehyde might be considered a promising scaffold for further drug discovery aimed at exploiting ALDH1A3 for therapeutic intervention.     

Evaluation of necrosis avidity of radioiodinated 5-hydroxytryptophan and its potential applications in myocardial infarction imaging

[¹³¹I]5-HTP features predominant necrosis avidity and could rapidly visualize necrotic myocardium at 3 h p.i. The necrosis avidity mechanism of [¹³¹I]5-HTP may be attributed to its interactions with E-DNA in the necrotic tissues.     

A new ocotillol-type ginsenoside from stems and leaves of Panax quinquefolium L. and its anti-oxidative effect on hydrogen peroxide exposed A549 cells

Abstract

A new ocotillol-type ginsenoside, namely 12-one-pseudoginsenoside F₁₁ (12-one-PF₁₁), was isolated from stems and leaves of Panax quinquefolium, whose structure was elucidated 6-O-[α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-2)-β-D-glucopyranosyl]-dammar-12-one-20S,24R-epoxy-3β,6α,25-triol. 12-one-PF₁₁ significantly suppressed hydrogen peroxide induced oxidative stress in human lung carcinoma A549 cells. As compared with model group, 12-one-PF₁₁ improved cell viability of A549 cells in a dose-dependent manner, and significantly decreased the generation of malondialdehyde (MDA) and increased production of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione (GSH) and protein expression levels of nuclear related factor 2 (Nrf2) and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) in A549 cells.     

Autocatalytic synthesis of 3-ethyl-3-hydroxy-indole-2-ones and their neuroprotection and antitumor activities' evaluation

In this study, a series of 3-ethyl-3-hydroxy-indole-2-ones were synthesized through the addition reaction of Et₂Zn and N-substituted isatin by an autocatalytic process. The synthesized compounds were characterized by NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry, and the reaction mechanism was discussed. The antitumor and neuroprotection activities of these compounds were evaluated. The results showed that several compounds display protection activity on H₂O₂-induced apoptosis of PC12 cells, which are more effective than that of (±)-α-tocopherol Vitamin E (VE). Moreover, these compounds also show antitumor activity against A549 and P388 cell lines.     

Suppression of Pulmonary Tumor Promotion and Induction of Apoptosis by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Crocus sativus</Emphasis> L. Extraction

Crocus sativus L., commonly known as saffron, is the raw material for one of the most expensive spice in the world, and it has been used in folk medicine for centuries. We investigated the potential of the ethanolic extract of saffron to induce cytotoxic and apoptosis effects in carcinomic human alveolar basal epithelial cells (A549), a commonly used cell culture system for in vitro studies on lung cancer. The cells were cultured in Dulbecco’s modified Eagle’s medium with 10% fetal bovine serum treated with different concentrations of the ethanolic extract of saffron for two consecutive days. Cell viability was quantitated by the 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay. Apoptotic cells were determined using annexin V–fluorescein isothiocyanate by flow cytometry. Saffron could decrease the cell viability in the malignant cells as a concentration- and time-dependent manner. The IC₅₀ values against the A549 cell lines were determined as 1,200 and 650 μg/ml after 24 and 48 h, respectively. Saffron-induced apoptosis of the A549 cells in a concentration-dependent manner, as determined by flow cytometry histogram of treated cells that induced apoptotic cell death, is involved in the toxicity of saffron. It might be concluded that saffron could cause cell death in the A549 cells, in which apoptosis plays an important role. Saffron could also be considered as a promising chemotherapeutic agent in lung cancer treatment in future.     

Micellar electrokinetic chromatographic analysis for in vitro accumulation of anthracyclines enhanced by inhibitors of cell membrane transporter-proteins in cancer cells

Cell membrane transporter-proteins have been partly implicated in lowering the accumulation of drugs in cancer cells, leading to multidrug resistance (MDR). Two cancer cell lines, A549 and RDES, were continuously exposed to subclinical concentration (250 nM) of anthracyclines and micellar electrokinetic chromatography was used to investigate their in vitro accumulation after treatment with inhibitors of membrane transporter-proteins. The four anthracylines [doxorubicin (DOX), epirubicin (EPI), daunorubicin (DNR), and idarubicin (IDA)] were separated within a short analysis time of less than 15 min in borate buffer (80 mM, pH 9.22) containing sodium taurodeoxycholate (35 mM), 2-hydroxypropyl-γ-cyclodextrin (3.5% wt/v), and sodium dodecylsulfate (20 mM). Laser-induced fluorescence was used for detection of the anthracyclines. Three inhibitors, verapamil, cyclosporine A and probenecid, were examined by adding each inhibitor independently or two inhibitors simultaneously to the culture medium. It was found that independent use of each inhibitor leads to more efficient accumulation than combined use of verapamil and probenecid. In addition, the results show that effect of inhibitors on the accumulation of anthracyclines depended on type of cell: in RDES, inhibitors enhanced accumulation of all four anthracyclines, while in A549, inhibitors showed different accumulation behavior for each anthracycline. Generally higher accumulation of anthracyclines was observed in RDES cells than A549, as evidenced by dead cells (7-16%) after 24 h of continuous exposure to subclinical concentration.     

Novel Substituted Purine Isosteres: Synthesis,Structure-Activity Relationships and Cytotoxic Activity Evaluation

A number of pyrrolo[2,3-c]pyridines, pyrrolo[3,2-d]pyrimidines and pyrazolo[4,3-d]pyrimidines were designed and synthesized as antiproliferative agents. The target compounds possessed selected substituents in analogous positions on the central scaffold that allowed the extraction of interesting SARs. The cytotoxic activity of the new derivatives was evaluated against prostatic (PC-3) and colon (HCT116) cell lines, and the most potent analogues showed IC₅₀ values in the nM to low µM range, while they were found to be non-toxic against normal human fibroblasts (WI-38). Flow cytometric analysis of DNA content revealed that the most promising derivative 14b caused a statistically significant accumulation of PC-3 cells at G₂/M phase and induced apoptosis in PC-3 cells.     

A new bioactive prenylated dihydroflavanoid from Dolichos tenuicaulis （Baker） Craib

A new prenylated dihydroflavonoid was obtained from the root of Dolichos tenuicaulis （Baker） Craib. The structure was elucidated as （2S）-5,2＇,6＇-trihydroxy-3＇″, 8-di （γ,γ-dimethyl-allyl）-2＇″, 2＇″-dimethylpyrano-[5＇″,6＇″： 6,7]-2＇″″,4＇″″-cyclohexadiene-1 ＇″″-one-[2＇″″,3＇″″： 3＇,4＇]-flavanone, named dolichnin A, by spectroscopic methods including UV, IR, HR-EI-MS, 1D NMR and 2D NMR techniques, and subsequently, the anticancer activity of this compound to inhibit human cancer cells＇ growth including A549, BEL-7402, Hep-3B, SMMC7721, HT-29, MCF-7, SGC-7902, K562, A498 and PC3 cell lines by MTT method was evaluated in vitro.     

新型四氢苯并[4',5']噻吩并[3',2'∶5,6]吡啶并[4,3-d]嘧啶类化合物衍生物的合成及抗肿瘤活性

本文以环己酮为原料,通过氮杂Wittig反应合成了一系列结构新颖的取代四氢苯并噻吩并吡啶并嘧啶衍生物,并采用MTT法考察所合成目标化合物对CNE2、KB、MGC-803、MCF-7和PC3这5种肿瘤细胞的抑制活性。初步的生物活性结果表明,目标化合物对5种肿瘤细胞均有抑制活性,尤其是对胃癌MGC-803细胞展现出了更强的抑制活性。其中3-(4-氟苯基)-2-((4-氟苯基)氨基)-5-甲基-8,9,10,11-四氢苯并[4',5']噻吩并[3',2':5,6]吡啶并[4,3-d]嘧啶-4(3H)-酮[化合物8c,IC_(50)=(0. 9±0. 25)μmol·L~(-1)]对MGC-803的活性最强,是5-氟尿嘧啶[IC_(50)=(18. 4±1. 43)μmol·L~(-1)]的20倍;同时,目标化合物对正常的胃黏膜上皮细胞GES-1没有毒性。四氢苯并[4',5']噻吩并[3',2':5,6]吡啶并[4,3-d]嘧啶类化合物具有良好的抗肿瘤活性,值得进一步深入研究。