Cytotoxic Natural Products Isolated from Cryptogramma crispa (L.) R. Br.

Parsley fern, Cryptogramma crispa, is a common fern in arctic-alpine regions, and even though this species has been known since ancient times and has been presumed to cause the poisoning of horses, its natural products have not previously been investigated. Here, we characterise 15 natural products isolated from the aerial parts of Cryptogramma crispa, including the previously undescribed compound 3-malonyl pteroside D. The structure determinations were based on several advanced 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic techniques, Circular Dichroism spectroscopy and high-resolution mass spectrometry. The pteroside derivatives exhibited selective moderate cytotoxic activity against the acute myeloid leukaemia MOLM13 cell line and no cytotoxicity against the normal heart and kidney cell lines, suggesting that their potential anticancer effect should be further investigated.

Synthesis of new pyrazolo[4,3-a]phenanthridine Pim-1 inhibitors and evaluation of their cytotoxic activity towards the MOLM-13 acute myeloid leukemia cell line.

We synthesized new analogues of the anti-AML agent VS-II-173. We studied the effect of the substitution at the 1- and 5-positions of the pyrazolo[4,3-a]phenanthridine scaffold on Pim-1 kinase inhibition and cytotoxicity against AML MOLM-13 cells. We found that compounds 20 and 21, substituted at the 1-position exhibited stronger Pim-1 inhibition together with a high potency toward MOLM-13 cells, associated with apoptosis induction and selectivity over non-cancerous NRK cells.

Bioactive peptides from microalgae: Focus on anti-cancer and immunomodulating activity.

In addition to the rapidly expanding field of using microalgae for food and feed, microalgae represent a tremendous potential for new bioactive compounds with health-promoting effects. One field where new therapeutics is needed is cancer therapy. As cancer therapy often cause severe side effects and loose effect due to development of drug resistance, new therapeutic agents are needed. Treating cancer by modulating the immune response using peptides has led to unprecedented responses in patients. In this review, we want to elucidate the potential for microalgae as a source of new peptides for possible use in cancer management. Among the limited studies on anti-cancer effects of peptides, positive results were found in a total of six different forms of cancer. The majority of studies have been performed with different strains of Chlorella, but effects have also been found using peptides from other species. This is also the case for peptides with immunomodulating effects and peptides with other health-promoting effects (e.g., role in cardiovascular diseases). However, the active peptide sequence has been determined in only half of the studies. In many cases, the microalga strain and the cultivation conditions used for producing the algae have not been reported. The low number of species that have been explored, as opposed to the large number of species available, is a clear indication that the potential for new discoveries is large. Additionally, the availability and cost-effectiveness of microalgae make them attractive in the search for bioactive peptides to prevent cancer.

Chemical diversity and cellular effects of antifungal cyclic lipopeptides from cyanobacteria.

Cyanobacteria produce a variety of chemically diverse cyclic lipopeptides with potent antifungal activities. These cyclic lipopeptides have an amphipathic structure comprised of a polar peptide cycle and hydrophobic fatty acid side chain. Many have antibiotic activity against a range of human and plant fungal pathogens. This review article aims to summarize the present knowledge on the chemical diversity and cellular effects of cyanobacterial cyclic lipopeptides that display antifungal activity. Cyclic antifungal lipopeptides from cyanobacteria commonly fall into four structural classes; hassallidins, puwainaphycins, laxaphycins, and anabaenolysins. Many of these antifungal cyclic lipopeptides act through cholesterol and ergosterol-dependent disruption of membranes. In many cases, the cyclic lipopeptides also exert cytotoxicity in human cells, and a more extensive examination of their biological activity and structure-activity relationship is warranted. The hassallidin, puwainaphycin, laxaphycin, and anabaenolysin structural classes are unified through shared complex biosynthetic pathways that encode a variety of unusual lipoinitiation mechanisms and branched biosynthesis that promote their chemical diversity. However, the biosynthetic origins of some cyanobacterial cyclic lipopeptides and the mechanisms, which drive their structural diversification in general, remain poorly understood. The strong functional convergence of differently organized chemical structures suggests that the production of lipopeptide confers benefits for their producer. Whether these benefits originate from their antifungal activity or some other physiological function remains to be answered in the future. However, it is clear that cyanobacteria encode a wealth of new cyclic lipopeptides with novel biotechnological and therapeutic applications.

NordAqua, a Nordic Center of Excellence to develop an algae-based photosynthetic production platform.

NordAqua is a multidisciplinary Nordic Center of Excellence funded by NordForsk Bioeconomy program (2017-2022). The research center promotes Blue Bioeconomy and endeavours to reform the use of natural resources in a environmentally sustainable way. In this short communication, we summarize particular outcomes of the consortium. The key research progress of NordAqua includes (1) improving of photosynthetisis, (2) developing novel photosynthetic cell factories that function in a "solar-driven direct CO2 capture to target bioproducts" mode, (3) promoting the diversity of Nordic cyanobacteria and algae as an abundant and resilient alternative for less sustainable forest biomass and for innovative production of biochemicals, and (4) improving the bio-based wastewater purification and nutrient recycling technologies to provide new tools for integrative circular economy platforms.

New CDK8 inhibitors as potential anti-leukemic agents - Design, synthesis and biological evaluation.

Cyclin-dependent kinase 8 (CDK8) plays a vital role in regulating cell transcription either through its association with the mediator complex or by the phosphorylation of transcription factors. CDK8-mediated activation of oncogenes has proved to be important in a variety of cancer types including hematological malignancies. We have designed and synthesized a series of new synthetic steroids. The compounds were evaluated as CDK8 inhibitors in vitro. The three most potent compounds exhibit Kd-values towards CDK8 in the low nanomolar range (3.5-18 nM). Furthermore, the compounds displayed selectivity for CDK8 in a panel of 465 different kinases. The cell studies indicated a selectivity to kill AML-cancer cell lines compared to normal cell lines.

Distribution of Psychotropic Drugs Into Lipoproteins.

AIM: The aim of this pilot study was to investigate whether psychotropic drugs frequently analyzed in a routine therapeutic drug monitoring laboratory bind to low-density lipoproteins/very-low-density lipoproteins (LDL/VLDL) in human serum. METHODS: Drug concentrations in 20 serum sample pools containing one psychotropic drug each, and in the LDL/VLDL fractions extracted from the same samples, were measured by triple quadrupole liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. The membrane permeability of the drugs was measured using a Parallel Artificial Membrane Permeability Assay. RESULTS: Of the 20 antidepressants, antipsychotics, and antiepileptics examined, 7 drugs were detected in both the pooled serum samples and in the LDL/VLDL fraction. Binding of drugs to LDL/VLDL significantly correlated with high octanol: water partition coefficient (logP), high degree of protein binding, and a low polar surface area. The drugs found in LDL/VLDL, with the exception of aripiprazole, were also characterized by high or intermediate membrane permeability. CONCLUSIONS: The present results indicate that psychotropic drugs with certain characteristics bind to LDL/VLDL in blood. This further implies that lipoproteins could play an important role in drug transport.

Stabilization of Human Tyrosine Hydroxylase in Maltodextrin Nanoparticles for Delivery to Neuronal Cells and Tissue.

Enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) is a therapeutic approach envisioned decades ago for the correction of genetic disorders, but ERT has been less successful for the correction of disorders with neurological manifestations. In this work, we have tested the functionality of nanoparticles (NP) composed of maltodextrin with a lipid core to bind and stabilize tyrosine hydroxylase (TH). This is a complex and unstable brain enzyme that catalyzes the rate-limiting step in the synthesis of dopamine and other catecholamine neurotransmitters. We have characterized these TH-loaded NPs to evaluate their potential for ERT in diseases associated with TH dysfunction. Our results show that TH can be loaded into the lipid core maltodextrin NPs with high efficiency, and both stability and activity are maintained through loading and are preserved during storage. Binding to NPs also favored the uptake of TH to neuronal cells, both in cell culture and in the brain. The internalized NP-bound TH was active as we measured an increase in intracellular L-Dopa synthesis following NP uptake. Our approach seems promising for the use of catalytically active NPs in ERT to treat neurodegenerative and neuropsychiatric disorders characterized by dopamine deficiency, notably Parkinson's disease.

Enhancement of iodinin solubility by encapsulation into cyclodextrin nanoparticles.

Phenazine is known to regroup planar nitrogen-containing heterocyclic compounds. It was used here to enhance the bioavailability of the biologically important compound iodinin, which is near insoluble in aqueous solutions. Its water solubility has led to the development of new formulations using diverse amphiphilic α-cyclodextrins (CDs). With the per-[6-desoxy-6-(3-perfluorohexylpropanethio)-2,3-di-O-methyl]-α-CD, we succeeded to get iodinin-loaded nanoformulations with good parameters such as a size of 97.9 nm, 62% encapsulation efficiency and efficient control release. The study presents an interesting alternative to optimizing the water solubility of iodinin by chemical modifications of iodinin.

Total synthesis and antileukemic evaluations of the phenazine 5,10-dioxide natural products iodinin, myxin and their derivatives.

A new efficient total synthesis of the phenazine 5,10-dioxide natural products iodinin and myxin and new compounds derived from them was achieved in few steps, a key-step being 1,6-dihydroxyphenazine di-N-oxidation. Analogues prepared from iodinin, including myxin and 2-ethoxy-2-oxoethoxy derivatives, had fully retained cytotoxic effect against human cancer cells (MOLM-13 leukemia) at atmospheric and low oxygen level. Moreover, iodinin was for the first time shown to be hypoxia selective. The structure-activity relationship for leukemia cell death induction revealed that the level of N-oxide functionality was essential for cytotoxicity. It also revealed that only one of the two phenolic functions is required for activity, allowing the other one to be modified without loss of potency.

Synthesis and activities of new indolopyrrolobenzodiazepine derivatives toward acute myeloid leukemia cells.

The synthesis of new indolopyrrolobenzodiazepine derivatives is described. Six compounds were selected for evaluation of cytotoxicity towards acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cells and normal fibroblasts. One compound (29) showed selective AML cell death induction. Its action was only partly overcome by knock-down of p53 or Bcl-2 overexpression, suggesting a strong activation of intrinsic apoptotic pathways.

Biologically active carbazole derivatives: focus on oxazinocarbazoles and related compounds.

Four series of carbazole derivatives, including N-substituted-hydroxycarbazoles, oxazinocarbazoles, isoxazolocarbazolequinones, and pyridocarbazolequinones, were studied using diverse biological test methods such as a CE-based assay for CK2 activity measurement, a cytotoxicity assay with IPC-81 cell line, determination of MIC of carbazole derivatives as antibacterial agents, a Plasmodium falciparum susceptibility assay, and an ABCG2-mediated mitoxantrone assay. Two oxazinocarbazoles Ib and Ig showed CK2 inhibition with IC50 = 8.7 and 14.0 µM, respectively. Further chemical syntheses were realized and the 7-isopropyl oxazinocarbazole derivative 2 displayed a stronger activity against CK2 (IC50 = 1.40 µM). Oxazinocarbazoles Ib, Ig, and 2 were then tested against IPC-81 leukemia cells and showed the ability to induce leukemia cell death with IC50 values between 57 and 62 µM. Further investigations were also reported on antibacterial and antiplasmodial activities. No significant inhibitory activity on ABCG2 efflux pump was detected.

Cell Death Inducing Microbial Protein Phosphatase Inhibitors--Mechanisms of Action.

Okadaic acid (OA) and microcystin (MC) as well as several other microbial toxins like nodularin and calyculinA are known as tumor promoters as well as inducers of apoptotic cell death. Their intracellular targets are the major serine/threonine protein phosphatases. This review summarizes mechanisms believed to be responsible for the death induction and tumor promotion with focus on the interdependent production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and activation of Ca(2+)/calmodulin kinase II (CaM-KII). New data are presented using inhibitors of specific ROS producing enzymes to curb nodularin/MC-induced liver cell (hepatocyte) death. They indicate that enzymes of the arachidonic acid pathway, notably phospholipase A2, 5-lipoxygenase, and cyclooxygenases, may be required for nodularin/MC-induced (and presumably OA-induced) cell death, suggesting new ways to overcome at least some aspects of OA and MC toxicity.

Time-dependent inhibitory effects of cGMP-analogues on thrombin-induced platelet-derived microparticles formation, platelet aggregation, and P-selectin expression.

In platelets, nitric oxide (NO) activates cGMP/PKG signalling, whereas prostaglandins and adenosine signal through cAMP/PKA. Cyclic nucleotide signalling has been considered to play an inhibitory role in platelets. However, an early stimulatory effect of NO and cGMP-PKG signalling in low dose agonist-induced platelet activation have recently been suggested. Here, we investigated whether different experimental conditions could explain some of the discrepancy reported for platelet cGMP-PKG-signalling. We treated gel-filtered human platelets with cGMP and cAMP analogues, and used flow cytometric assays to detect low dose thrombin-induced formation of small platelet aggregates, single platelet disappearance (SPD), platelet-derived microparticles (PMP) and thrombin receptor agonist peptide (TRAP)-induced P-selectin expression. All four agonist-induced platelet activation phases were blocked when platelets were costimulated with the PKG activators 8-Br-PET-cGMP or 8-pCPT-cGMP and low-doses of thrombin or TRAP. However, extended incubation with 8-Br-PET-cGMP decreased its inhibition of TRAP-induced P-selectin expression in a time-dependent manner. This effect did not involve desensitisation of PKG or PKA activity, measured as site-specific VASP phosphorylation. Moreover, PKG activators in combination with the PKA activator Sp-5,6-DCL-cBIMPS revealed additive inhibitory effect on TRAP-induced P-selectin expression. Taken together, we found no evidence for a stimulatory role of cGMP/PKG in platelets activation and conclude rather that cGMP/PKG signalling has an important inhibitory function in human platelet activation.

New N-1,N-10-bridged pyrrolo[2,3-a]carbazole-3-carbaldehydes: synthesis and biological activities.

The synthesis of new pyrrolocarbazoles substituted at N-1/N-10 positions is described. All the compounds tested demonstrated moderate to high Pim-1/Pim-3 kinase inhibitory potency. The most active inhibitors identified in this series (3, 17) have an alkyl chain bridging the N-1 and N-10 positions. These compounds (3, 17) exhibited apoptosis-inducing activity toward acute myeloid leukemia IPC-81 cells, but not toward normal fibroblasts.

Anti-microbial and cytotoxic 1,6-dihydroxyphenazine-5,10-dioxide (iodinin) produced by Streptosporangium sp. DSM 45942 isolated from the fjord sediment.

Phenazine natural products/compounds possess a range of biological activities, including anti-microbial and cytotoxic, making them valuable starting materials for drug development in several therapeutic areas. These compounds are biosynthesized almost exclusively by eubacteria of both terrestrial and marine origins from erythrose 4-phosphate and phosphoenol pyruvate via the shikimate pathway. In this paper, we report isolation of actinomycete bacteria from marine sediment collected in the Trondheimfjord, Norway. Screening of the isolates for biological activity produced several "hits", one of which was followed up by identification and purification of the active compound from the actinomycete bacterium Streptosporangium sp. The purified compound, identified as 1,6-dihydroxyphenazine-5,10-dioxide (iodinin), was subjected to extended tests for biological activity against bacteria, fungi and mammalian cells. In these tests, the iodinin demonstrated high anti-microbial and cytotoxic activity, and was particularly potent against leukaemia cell lines. This is the first report on the isolation of iodinin from a marine-derived Streptosporangium.

Cyanobacteria from terrestrial and marine sources contain apoptogens able to overcome chemoresistance in acute myeloid leukemia cells.

In this study, we investigated forty cyanobacterial isolates from biofilms, gastropods, brackish water and symbiotic lichen habitats. Their aqueous and organic extracts were used to screen for apoptosis-inducing activity against acute myeloid leukemia cells. A total of 28 extracts showed cytotoxicity against rat acute myeloid leukemia (IPC-81) cells. The design of the screen made it possible to eliminate known toxins, such as microcystins and nodularin, or known metabolites with anti-leukemic activity, such as adenosine and its analogs. A cytotoxicity test on human embryonic kidney (HEK293T) fibroblasts indicated that 21 of the 28 extracts containing anti-acute myeloid leukemia (AML) activity showed selectivity in favor of leukemia cells. Extracts L26-O and L30-O were able to partly overcome the chemotherapy resistance induced by the oncogenic protein Bcl-2, whereas extract L1-O overcame protection from the deletion of the tumor suppressor protein p53. In conclusion, cyanobacteria are a prolific resource for anti-leukemia compounds that have potential for pharmaceutical applications. Based on the variety of cellular responses, we also conclude that the different anti-leukemic compounds in the cyanobacterial extracts target different elements of the death machinery of mammalian cells.

The Rac1-inhibitor EHop-016 attenuates AML cell migration and enhances the efficacy of daunorubicin in MOLM-13 transplanted zebrafish larvae.

Ras-related C3 botulinum toxin substrate 1 (Rac1) is a GTPase implicated in cell migration and homing of hematopoietic cells to the hematopoietic niche, and is commonly overexpressed in acute myeloid leukemia (AML). This can lead to quiescence of leukemic blasts in the niche and reduced response to therapy. We investigated the Rac1 inhibitor EHop-016 on AML by assessing its effects on MOLM-13 cells in vitro and in zebrafish larvae, regarding cell motility and therapeutic potential in combination with daunorubicin (DNR). In vitro assessment of proliferation and viability was by measurement of 3H-thymidine incorporation and detection of Annexin V/PI positive cells. Cell motility was evaluated by measurement of migration in a transwell system. Fluorescently stained MOLM-13 cells were injected into zebrafish larvae, and individual cells followed by confocal microscopy. Cell accumulation in the caudal hematopoietic tissue (CHT) was studied using a 12-hour timelapse, while in vivo efficacy of DNR, EHop-016 or a combination was investigated over 24 h. The in vitro results showed that EHop-016 acted synergistically in combination with DNR in reducing the viability of MOLM-13 cells (Bliss synergy score above 10 %). Non-toxic concentrations of EHop-016 reduced cell migration. These findings were reproduced in zebrafish larvae: larvae receiving both DNR and EHop-016 had significantly reduced tumor burden compared to the untreated control or single treatments. The accumulation of MOLM-13 cells in the CHT was reduced in larvae receiving EHop-016 treatment. Our findings demonstrate that targeting Rac1 in AML holds promise as a complementary treatment to established chemotherapy and should be further investigated.

Synthesis, kinase inhibition and anti-leukemic activities of diversely substituted indolopyrazolocarbazoles.

Pyrazole analogues of the staurosporine aglycone K252c, in which the lactam ring was replaced by a pyrazole moiety, were synthesized. In this series, one or the other nitrogen atoms of the indolocarbazole scaffold was substituted by aminoalkyl chains, aiming at improving protein kinase inhibition as well as cellular potency toward acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cell lines. Compound 19a, substituted at the N12-position by a 3-(methylamino)propyl group, showed high cellular activity in the low micromolar range toward three AML cell lines (MOLM-13, OCI-AML3 and MV4-11) with selectivity over non-cancerous cells (NRK, H9c2). 19a is also a highly potent inhibitor of the three Pim kinase isoforms, Pim-3 being the most inhibited with an IC50 value in the nanomolar range. A selectivity screening toward a panel of 50 protein kinases showed that 19a also potently inhibited PRK2 and to a lower extent AMPK, MARK3, GSK3ß and JAK3. Our results enhance the understanding of the structural characteristics of indolopyrazolocarbazoles essential for potent protein kinase inhibition with therapeutic potential against AML.

Development of nanoparticles based on amphiphilic cyclodextrins for the delivery of active substances.

Although amphiphilic cyclodextrin derivatives (ACDs) serve as valuable building blocks for nanomedicine formulations, their widespread production still encounters various challenges, limiting large-scale manufacturing. This work focuses on a robust alternative pathway using mineral base catalysis to transesterify ß-cyclodextrin with long-chain vinyl esters, yielding ACD with modular and controlled hydrocarbon chain grafting. ACDs with a wide range of degrees of substitution (DS) were reliably synthesized, as indicated by extensive physicochemical characterization, including MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry. The influence of various factors, including the type of catalyst and the length of the hydrocarbon moiety of the vinyl ester, was studied in detail. ACDs were assessed for their ability to form colloidal suspensions by nanoprecipitation, with or without PEGylated phospholipid. Small-angle X-ray scattering and cryo-electron microscopy revealed the formation of nanoparticles with distinct ultrastructures depending on the DS: an onion-like structure for low and very high DS, and reversed hexagonal organization for DS between 4.5 and 6.1. We confirmed the furtivity of the PEGylated versions of the nanoparticles through complement activation experiments and that they were well tolerated in-vivo on a zebrafish larvae model after intravenous injection. Furthermore, a biodistribution experiment showed that the nanoparticles left the bloodstream within 10 h after injection and were phagocytosed by macrophages.