Heterogeneous Cellular Response of Primary and Metastatic Human Gastric Adenocarcinoma Cell Lines to Magnoflorine and Its Additive Interaction with Docetaxel.

Gastric cancer is the most common cancer and remains the leading cause of cancer death worldwide. In this study, the anticancer action of magnoflorine isolated via counter-current chromatography from the methanolic extract of Berberis vulgaris root against gastric cancer in models of primary ACC-201 and AGS and metastatic MKN-74 and NCI-N87 cell lines was analyzed. Cell viability and proliferation were tested through the use of MTT and BrdU tests, respectively. Cell cycle progression and apoptosis were evaluated using flow cytometry. The interaction of magnoflorine and docetaxel has been examined through isobolographic analysis. Moreover, potential toxicity was verified in zebrafish in an in vivo model. Gastric cancer cell lines revealed different responses to magnoflorine treatment with regard to viability/proliferation, apoptosis induction and cell cycle inhibition without any undesirable changes in the development of larval zebrafish at the tested concentrations. What is more, magnoflorine in combination with docetaxel produced an additive pharmacological interaction in all studied gastric cancer cell lines, which may suggest a complementary mechanism of action of both compounds. Taken together, these findings provide a foundation for the possibility of magnoflorine as a potential therapeutic approach for gastric cancer and merits further investigation, which may pave the way for clinical uses of magnoflorine.

Cholinesterases Inhibition, Anticancer and Antioxidant Activity of Novel Benzoxazole and Naphthoxazole Analogs.

Benzoxazole and naphthoxazole fused systems are found in many biologically active molecules. Novel benzoxazole and naphthoxazole analogs functionalized by the 2,4-dihydroxyphenyl moiety were designed, obtained and evaluated as a broad spectrum of biological potency compounds. Sulfinylbis[(2,4-dihydroxyphenyl)methanethione] or its analogs and 2-aminophenols or 1-amino-2-naphthol were used as starting reagents. 4-(Naphtho[1,2-d][1,3]oxazol-2-yl)benzene-1,3-diol was identified as the most promising compound of the nanomolar activity against AChE (IC50 = 58 nM) of the mixed-type inhibition and of the moderate activity against BChE (IC50 = 981 nM). The higher antiproliferative potency against a panel of human cancer cell lines for naphtho[1,2-d][1,3]oxazoles than for benzoxazoles was found. The activity of the analog with chlorine atom was in the range of 2.18-2.89 µM (IC50) against all studied cells and it is similar to that of cisplatin studied comparatively. Moreover, this compound was not toxic at this concentration to human normal breast cells and keratinocytes. For some compounds it also has proved antioxidant properties at the level of IC50 = 0.214 µM, for the most active compound. The lipophilicity of all compounds, expressed as log p values, is within the range recommended for potential drugs. The biological activity profile of the considered analogs and their lipophilic level justify the search for agents used in AD or in anticancer therapy in this group of compounds.

Clinical Outcomes after Oat Beta-Glucans Dietary Treatment in Gastritis Patients.

The prevalence of gastritis in humans is constantly growing and a prediction of an increase in this health problem is observed in many countries. For this reason, effective dietary therapies are sought that can alleviate the course of this disease. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of chemically pure oat beta-glucan preparations with different molar masses, low or high, used for 30 days in patients with histologically diagnosed chronic gastritis. The study enrolled 48 people of both genders of different ages recruited from 129 patients with a gastritis diagnosis. Before and after the therapy, hematological, biochemical, immunological and redox balance parameters were determined in the blood and the number of lactic acid bacteria and SCFA concentrations in the feces. Our results demonstrated a beneficial effect of oat beta-glucans with high molar mass in chronic gastritis in humans, resulting in reduced mucosal damage and healthy changes in SCFA fecal concentration and peripheral blood serum glutathione metabolism and antioxidant defense parameters. This fraction of a highly purified oat beta-glucan is safe for humans. Its action is effective after 30 days of use, which sheds new light on the nutritional treatment of chronic gastritis.

Synthesis, Structure and Antiproliferative Activity of New pyrazolo[4,3- e]triazolo[4,5-b][1,2,4]triazine Derivatives.

BACKGROUND: Triazoles and their fused derivatives are an important class of compounds that exhibit interesting biological properties, such as antiasthmatic, antimicrobial, antifungal, analgesic, antiallergic, antiinflammatory, herbicidal, plant growth regulative activity, and anti-HIV-1 activities. Moreover, anticancer activity of 1,2,4-triazole containing derivatives has been documented. Due to the fact a convenient approach toward polycyclic frameworks containing fused 1,2,4-triazoles was described. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this article is the synthesis of new pyrazolo[4,3-e]triazolo[4,5- b][1,2,4]triazine derivatives with potential antiproliferative activity. METHODS: Cancer cell proliferation was analysed by means of MTT assay after 96 h treatment. IC50 was calculated using computerized linear regression analysis of quantal log doseprobit functions, according to the method of Litchfield and Wilcoxon. X-ray data were collected on the Bruker SMART APEX II CCD diffractometer; The structure was solved by direct methods using SHELXS-2013 and refined by full-matrix least-squares with SHELXL-2014/7. All calculations were performed using WINGX version 2014.1 package. RESULTS: The series of pyrazolo[4,3-e]triazolo[4,5-b][1,2,4]triazine derivatives were synthesized. MTT assay revealed that the compounds inhibited cancer cells growth at concentrations below 10 µM. The tested compounds showed higher antiproliferative activity than popular cytostatics cisplatin (lung carcinoma) and 5-fluorouracil (colon adenocarcinoma). X-ray examinations showed that final products in the crystalline phase have a linear form. CONCLUSION: In the paper we have reported the synthesis and spectroscopic analysis of new condensed tricyclic derivatives of the pyrazolo[4,3-e]triazolo[4,5-b][1,2,4]triazine. MTT analysis revealed concentration-dependent decrease in lung A549 and colon LS180 cancer cells proliferation. In order to explain the molecular mechanisms involved in anticancer activity of pyrazolo[4,3- e]triazolo[4,5-b][1,2,4]triazine derivatives, our research will be continued.

Inhibition of mitochondrial 2-oxoglutarate dehydrogenase impairs viability of cancer cells in a cell-specific metabolism-dependent manner.

2-Oxoglutarate dehydrogenase (OGDH) of the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle is often implied to be inactive in cancer, but this was not experimentally tested. We addressed the question through specific inhibition of OGDH by succinyl phosphonate (SP). SP action on different cancer cells was investigated using indicators of cellular viability and reactive oxygen species (ROS), metabolic profiling and transcriptomics. Relative sensitivity of various cancer cells to SP changed with increasing SP exposure and could differ in the ATP- and NAD(P)H-based assays. Glioblastoma responses to SP revealed metabolic sub-types increasing or decreasing cellular ATP/NAD(P)H ratio under OGDH inhibition. Cancer cell homeostasis was perturbed also when viability indicators were SP-resistant, e.g. in U87 and N2A cells. The transcriptomics database analysis showed that the SP-sensitive cells, such as A549 and T98G, exhibit the lowest expression of OGDH compared to other TCA cycle enzymes, associated with higher expression of affiliated pathways utilizing 2-oxoglutarate. Metabolic profiling confirmed the dependence of cellular SP reactivity on cell-specific expression of the pathways. Thus, oxidative decarboxylation of 2-oxoglutarate is significant for the interdependent homeostasis of NAD(P)H, ATP, ROS and key metabolites in various cancer cells. Assessment of cell-specific responses to OGDH inhibition is of diagnostic value for anticancer strategies.

New derivative of 2-(2,4-dihydroxyphenyl)thieno-1,3-thiazin-4-one (BChTT) elicits antiproliferative effect via p38-mediated cell cycle arrest in cancer cells.

2-(2,4-Dihydroxyphenyl)thieno-1,3-thiazin-4-ones are a group of new compounds with potential anticancer activity. This type of derivatives was poorly investigated in the area of synthesis and biological activities. In the present study the antiproliferative action of the most active derivative BChTT was described. The aim of biological evaluation was to investigate the ability of the compound to inhibit cancer cell proliferation and identify mechanism involved in its action on the molecular level. BChTT inhibited the proliferation of lung cancer A549, colon cancer HT-29 and glioma C6 cells in the concentration-dependent manner. It was not toxic to normal cells including skin fibroblasts, hepatocytes and oligodendrocytes in the antiproliferative concentrations. BChTT decreased the DNA synthesis in the treated cancer cells and induced cell cycle arrest in the G0/G1 phase. Moreover, the ability of the compound to activate p38 kinase and decrease cyclin D1 expression was estimated. Participation of p38 kinase in the antiproliferative action of the compound was confirmed by the analysis of BChTT activity in the cells with the p38 silenced gene. The obtained results may suggest the ability of the tested derivative to inhibit cancer cells proliferation by induction of p38-mediated cyclin D1 downregulation.

Synthesis, characterization, and pharmacological evaluation of novel azolo- and azinothiazinones containing 2,4-dihydroxyphenyl substituent as anticancer agents.

ABSTRACT: We reported the synthesis and characterization of a series of azolo- and azino[1,3]thiazinones containing the 2,4-dihydroxyphenyl substituent. The compounds were prepared by a new one-step reaction of aryl-modified sulfinylbis[(2,4-dihydroxyphenyl)methanethione]s and the corresponding aminoazolo(azino)carboxamides. Their chemical structures were confirmed by IR, NMR: 1H, 13C, HSQC, and EI-MS spectral data. The compounds inhibited proliferation and viability of lung cancer A549, colon cancer HT-29, and glioma C6 cells in a structure- and concentration-dependent manner. The activity of some analogues was below 10 µmol dm-3 (IC50). Glioma C6 cells were the most sensitive to tested compounds. Generally, the derivatives were not toxic for the skin fibroblast HSF culture. Moreover, some of them exerted a protective effect on the treated normal cells. Evaluation of compound properties in silico showed that they possess significant drug-like characteristics and most of them display a low toxicity.

Synthesis of 2-(2,4-dihydroxyphenyl)thieno-1,3-thiazin-4-ones, their lipophilicity and anticancer activity in vitro.

A new one-step synthesis of novel biologically active 2-substituted 2,4-dihydroxyphenyl-4[Formula: see text]-thieno[3,2-[Formula: see text]][1,3]thiazin-4-ones and 4[Formula: see text]-thieno[2,3-[Formula: see text]][1,3]thiazin-4-ones has been elaborated and described. The compounds were prepared by the reaction of aryl-modified sulfinylbis [(2,4-dihydroxyphenyl)methanethione]s and the corresponding aminothiophenecarboxamides. The derivatives showed anticancer activity in vitro. These compounds inhibited the proliferation and viability of lung cancer A549, colon cancer HT-29 and glioma C6 cells in a concentration-dependent manner. Some of the derivatives had no influence on normal skin fibroblasts culture viability. Moreover, one compound (1b) showed the ability to inhibit DNA synthesis in cancer cells, especially in C6 cells, and was not toxic for normal oligodendrocytes and hepatocytes. Using reversed phase RP 18 HPLC and immobilised artificial membrane (IAM) chromatography the phase affinity of the compounds was determined. The influence of lipophilicity on the activity of compounds has been discussed.

Chlorpyrifos and cypermethrin induce apoptosis in human neuroblastoma cell line SH-SY5Y.

Our previous in vivo studies showed that chlorpyrifos (CPF) and cypermethrin (CM) in a mixture dermally administered, strongly inhibited cholinesterase activity in plasma and the brain and were very toxic to the rat central nervous system. In this work, the mechanisms of neurotoxicity have not been elucidated. We used human undifferentiated SH-SY5Y cells to study mechanisms of pesticide-induced neuronal cell death. It was found that chlorpyrifos (CPF) and its mixture with cypermethrin (CPF+CM) induced cell death of SH-SY5Y cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner, as shown by MTT assays. Pesticide-induced SH-SY5Y cell death was characterized by concentration-dependent down-regulation of Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL as well as an increase in the caspase 3 activation. Pan-caspase inhibitor Q-VD-OPh produced a slight but significant reversal effect of pesticide-induced toxicity indicating that the major caspase pathways are not integral to CPF- and CPF+CM-induced cell death. Furthermore, signal transduction inhibitors PD98059, SL-327, SB202190, SP600125 and mecamylamine failed to attenuate pesticides effect. Atropine exhibited minimal ability to reverse toxicity. Finally, it was shown that inhibition of TNF-α by pomalidomide attenuated CPF-/CPF+CM-induced apoptosis. Overall, our data suggest that FAS/TNF signalling pathways may participate in CPF and CPF+CM toxicity.

Neuroprotective activity of 2-amino-1,3,4-thiadiazole derivative 4BrABT--an in vitro study.

4BrABT (2-(4-Bromophenylamino)-5-(2,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-1,3,4-thiadiazole) is a compound known for its interesting in vitro anticancer profile. 4BrABT inhibited proliferation and motility of several cancer cell lines in concentrations which were not toxic to normal cells. A major problem associated with cancer chemotherapy, but also caused by environmental factors such as pesticides, is neurotoxicity. Therefore, the aim of the presented study was an in vitro evaluation of the neuroprotective activity of this compound. 4BrABT activity (1-100 µM) was tested in cultures of mouse neurons, rat astrocytes and rat oligodendrocytes. A possible protective action of the compound in different neurodegenerative models, as serum deprivation (SD), excitotoxicity (presence of 500 µM glutamate in culture medium), as well as cisplatin toxicity (astroglia--50 µM and oligodendroglia--100 µM) was investigated. Cell viability in the tested cultures was assessed with the use of LDH and MTT methods. Moreover, 4BrABT ability to prevent the cisplatin-induced apoptosis in astrocyte and oligodendrocyte cultures was analysed after Hoechst 33342 fluorostaining. The obtained results indicate that 4BrABT was not toxic to neurons, astrocytes and oligodendrocytes. Moreover, a decrease in the neuronal LDH level was observed, which may suggest the ability of 4BrABT to act as a trophic agent. Furthermore, the protective action of the studied compound was shown in neuronal cultures exposed to neurotoxic conditions (presence of glutamate and trophic stress) and in cisplatin-treated astrocytes and oligodendrocytes. The expression of anticancer and neuroprotective activity raises hopes for the potential use of 4BrABT as a safe anticancer drug, or neuroprotective agent in chemotherapy-associated neurotoxicity.

Expression of matricellular proteins in human uterine leiomyomas and normal myometrium.

Growth of human leiomyomas can probably be initiated as a response to injury, in a way similar to the development of keloids. Among many bioactive molecules, which are implicated in tissue repair, a pivotal role is attributed to matricellular proteins. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the immunohistochemical expression of tenascin-C (TNC), thrombospondin-1 (TSP-1), SPARC/osteonectin and tenascin-X (TNX) in human uterine leiomyomas and normal myometrium. Immunostaining was performed on 33 pairs of paraffin-fixed sections and 9 cell-lines derived from uterine leiomyomas and normal myometrium. Fifteen (45.5%) leiomyomas investigated were positive for TNC, whereas all normal myometrial samples were immunonegative (χ²=19.41; p<0.001). Immunostaining for TSP-1 was observed in 20 (60.6%) uterine fibroids and in 12 (36.4%) control samples (χ²=3.88; p<0.05). The expression of SPARC/osteonectin protein was more frequently found in leiomyomas than in normal myometrium, but this difference was not significant. Apart from one fibroid culture and one myometrial culture, all the others revealed strong TNC immunostaining. Expression of TSP-1 and SPARC/osteonectin was weak to moderate in all established cell-lines. None of the tissues or cell lines investigated showed positive staining for TNX. In conclusion, TSP-1 and TNC are likely to play important roles in the pathogenesis of uterine leiomyomas, presumably affecting cell proliferation and/or extracellular matrix deposition.

Alpha-ketoglutarate (AKG) inhibits proliferation of colon adenocarcinoma cells in normoxic conditions.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Alpha-ketoglutarate (AKG), a key intermediate in Krebs cycle, is an important biological compound involved in the formation of amino acids, nitrogen transport, and oxidation reactions. AKG is already commercially available as a dietary supplement and its supplementation with glutamine, arginine, or ornithine alpha-ketoglutarate has been recently considered to improve anticancer immune functions. It is well documented that AKG treatment of Hep3B hepatoma cells in hypoxia induced HIF-alpha (hypoxia-inducible factor) degradation and reduced vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) synthesis. Moreover, AKG showed potent antitumor effects in murine tumor xenograft model, inhibiting tumor growth, angiogenesis, and VEGF gene expression. However, the mechanisms of its anticancer activity in normoxia have not been examined so far. RESULTS: Here, we report that in normoxia, AKG inhibited proliferation of colon adenocarcinoma cell lines: Caco-2, HT-29, and LS-180, representing different stages of colon carcinogenesis. Furthermore, AKG influenced the cell cycle, enhancing the expression of the inhibitors of cyclin-dependent kinases p21 Waf1/Cip1 and p27 Kip1. Moreover, expression of cyclin D1, required in G1/S transmission, was decreased, which accompanied with the significant increase in cell number in G1 phase. AKG affected also one the key cell cycle regulator, Rb, and reduced its activation status. CONCLUSION: In this study for the first time, the antiproliferative activity of AKG on colon adenocarcinoma Caco-2, HT-29, and LS-180 cells in normoxic conditions was revealed. Taking into consideration an anticancer activity both in hypoxic and normoxic conditions, AKG may be considered as a new potent chemopreventive agent.

The activity of a new 2-amino-1,3,4-thiadiazole derivative 4ClABT in cancer and normal cells.

The 2-amino-5-(2,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-1,3,4-thiadiazole set are well known compounds with interesting in vitro and in vivo anti-cancer profiles. The aim of this study was an in vitro evaluation of the anti-cancer activity of a new synthesized aminothiadiazole derivative 2-(3-chlorophenyloamino)-5-(2,4-dihydroxyphenyl)- -1,3,4-thiadiazole 4ClABT. The effect on tumor cell proliferation, motility and morphology, DNA synthesis as well as the influence on normal cells was assessed. The antiproliferative activity of 4ClABT in tumor cells derived from peripheral cancers including breast carcinoma (T47D), colon carcinoma (HT-29), thyroid carcinoma (FTC-238), teratoma (P19), and T-cell leukemia (Jurkat E6.1), as well as cancers of the nervous system including rhabdomyosarcoma/medulloblastoma (TE671), brain astrocytoma (MOGGCCM) and glioma (C6) was studied by means of MTT assay. DNA synthesis level was determined in BrdU ELISA test. Wound assay model was applied for tumor cell motility assessment. Morphological changes induced by 4ClABT in cancer and normal cells were analyzed in HE staining specimens. Moreover, the influence of 4ClABT on normal cells including skin fibroblasts (HSF), hepatocytes (Fao), astroglia and neurons was studied by means of LDH assay. The tested compound inhibited the proliferation of tumor cells in dose-dependent fashion. The anti-cancer effect was attributed to decreased DNA synthesis, prominent changes in tumor cell morphology as well as reduced cell motility. In antiproliferative concentrations, 4ClABT was not toxic to normal cells. Our study showed prominent anti-cancer effects of the tested aminothiadiazole derivative in the absence of toxicity in normal cells. The obtained results confirmed the promising anti-cancer profile of previously tested 2-(monohalogenphenylamino)- -5-(2,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-1,3,4-thiadiazole derivatives (ClABT - chlorophenyl derivative, FABT and 3FABT - fluorophenyl derivatives and 4BrABT - bromophenyl derivative). The molecular mechanisms and the in vivo activity of aminothiadiazole derivatives will be the subject of further studies.

[Collagen type III biosynthesis by cultured pubocervical fascia fibroblasts surrounding mono and multifilament polypropylene mesh after estrogens and tamoxifen treatment]. / Wplyw estrogenów i tamoksifenu na biosynteze kolagenu typu III przez fibroblasty powiezi lonowo-cewkowej w hodowlach prowadzonych na mono i multifilamentowych siatkach polipropylenowych.

AIM: Surgical procedures using synthetic implants are currently considered as the most efficient therapy for stress urinary incontinence (SUI) and pelvic organ prolapse (POP). Insertion of the tape or mesh causes enhanced collagen synthesis that largely affects the biomechanical property of the implant. This process is significantly modulated by estrogens and improper wound healing and treatment failure may result in hypoestrogenism. The aim of the study was to assess the rate of collagen type II synthesis by pubocervical fascia fibroblasts cultured with polypropylene meshes in the presence of estrogens and tamoxifen. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Fibroblasts were obtained from pubo-cervical fascia sampled from a 52-year-old premenopausal woman who underwent surgical treatment for SUI and cultured with monofilament or multifilament polypropylene meshes in the presence of 17B-estradiol, estriol, daidzein or tamoxifen. The cultures were run for 216 hr and the media were replaced every 72hr N-terminal propeptide of type III procollagen (PIIINP) was used as a marker of collagen type III synthesis. Its concentration in the media was measured by radioimmunoassay Pubocervical fascia fibroblast cultured with monofilament or multifilament meshes are capable of collagen type III synthesis. Following treatment with estradiol or tamoxifen, the highest PIIINP concentrations were observed after 72 hr whereas in case of estriol, daidzein or no treatment after 144hr of culture, regardless of the type of mesh used. RESULTS: Only in cultures containing monofilament mesh and stimulated with estriol the high rate of collagen type III synthesis persisted until the end of the experiment. Paradoxically the highest total production of PIIINP was observed in culture treated with tamoxifen, both for multifilament and monofilament meshes. CONCLUSION: The rate of collagen type III synthesis by pubocervical fascia fibroblast cultured with polypropylene meshes is subjected to modulation by estrogens and antiestrogens.

Betulin elicits anti-cancer effects in tumour primary cultures and cell lines in vitro.

Betulin is a pentacyclic triterpene found in many plant species, among others, in white birch bark. The aim of the study was in vitro characterization of the anticancer activity of betulin in a range of human tumour cell lines (neuroblastoma, rhabdomyosarcoma-medulloblastoma, glioma, thyroid, breast, lung and colon carcinoma, leukaemia and multiple myeloma), and in primary tumour cultures isolated from patients (ovarian carcinoma, cervical carcinoma and glioblastoma multiforme). In this study, we demonstrated a remarkable anti-proliferative effect of betulin in all tested tumour cell cultures. Neuroblastoma (SK-N-AS) and colon carcinoma (HT-29) were the most sensitive to the anti-proliferative effect of betulin. Furthermore, betulin altered tumour cells morphology, decreased their motility and induced apoptotic cell death. These findings demonstrate the anti-cancer potential of betulin and suggest that they may be applied as an adjunctive measure in cancer treatment.

Evaluation of the antiproliferative activity of 2-(monohalogenophenylamino)-5-(2,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-1,3,4-thiadiazoles.

Two 2-(monohalogenophenylamino)-5-(2,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-1,3,4-thiadiazoles were synthesized by reaction of sulfinyl bis(2,4-dihydroxythiobenzoyl) with 4-substituted 3-thiosemicarbazides and evaluated for their antiproliferative activity in tumor cells and for cytotoxicity in normal cells. Both derivatives in micromolar concentrations elicited a prominent antiproliferative effect in tumor cells derived from cancers of the nervous system (rhabdomyosarcoma/medulloblastoma, glioma) and peripheral cancers, including breast adenocarcinoma and lung carcinoma. The anticancer effect was attributed to decreased DNA synthesis and was not connected with apoptosis induction. Both compounds were not toxic to normal human skin fibroblasts.