Targeted screening of the synergistic components in Artemisia annua L. leading to enhanced antiplasmodial potency of artemisinin based on a "top down" PD-PK approach.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Artemisinin (ART) showed enhanced antimalarial potency in the herb Artemisia annua L. (A. annua), from which ART is isolated. Increased absorption of ART with inhibited metabolism in the plant matrix is an underlying mechanism. Several synergistic components have been reported based on a "bottom-up" approach, i.e., traditional isolation followed by pharmacokinetic and/or pharmacodynamic evaluation. AIM OF THE STUDY: In this study, we employed a "top-down" approach based on in vivo antimalarial and pharmacokinetic studies to identify synergistic components in A. annua. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two A. annua extracts in different chemical composition were obtained by extraction using ethyl acetate (EA) and petroleum ether (PE). The synergistic antimalarial activity of ART in two extracts was compared both in vitro (Plasmodium falciparum) and in vivo (murine Plasmodium yoelii). For the PD-PK correlation analysis, the pharmacokinetic profiles of ART and its major metabolite (ART-M) were investigated in healthy rats after a single oral administration of pure ART (20 mg/kg) or equivalent ART in each A. annua extract. A liquid chromatography-tandem high-resolution mass spectrometry (LC-HRMS)-based analytical strategy was then applied for efficient component classification and structural characterization of the differential components in the targeted extract with a higher antimalarial potency. Major components isolated from the targeted extract were then evaluated for their synergistic effect in the same proportion. RESULTS: Compared with pure ART (ED50, 5.6 mg/kg), ART showed enhanced antimalarial potency in two extracts in vivo (ED50 of EA, 2.9 mg/kg; ED50 of PE, 1.6 mg/kg), but not in vitro (IC50, 15.0-20.0 nM). A significant increase (1.7-fold) in ART absorption (AUC0-t) was found in rats after a single oral dose of equivalent ART in PE but not in EA; however, no significant change in the metabolic capability (AUCART-M/AUCART) was found for ART in either extract. The differential component analysis of the two extracts showed a higher composition of sesquiterpene compounds, especially component AB (3.0% in PE vs. 0.9% in EA) and component AA (14.1% in PE vs. 5.1% in EA). Two target sesquiterpenes were isolated and identified as arteannuin B (AB) and artemisinic acid (AA). The synergism between ART and AB/AA in the same proportion with PE extract (20:1.6:7.6, mg/kg) was verified by a pharmacokinetic study in rats. CONCLUSIONS: A "top-down" strategy based on PD-PK studies was successfully employed to identify synergistic components for ART in A. annua. Two sesquiterpene compounds (arteannuin B and artemisinic acid) could enhance the antimalarial potency of ART by increasing its absorption.

Celastrol acts as a potent antimetastatic agent targeting beta1 integrin and inhibiting cell-extracellular matrix adhesion, in part via the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway.

Malignant tumors remain a significant health threat, with death often occurring as a result of metastasis. Cell adhesion is a crucial step in the metastatic cascade of tumor cells, and interruption of this step is considered to be a logical strategy for prevention and treatment of tumor metastasis. Celastrol [3-hydroxy-24-nor-2-oxo-1(10),3,5,7-friedelatetraen-29-oic acid], a quinone methide triterpene from the medicinal plant Tripterygium wilfordii, possesses antitumor activities, whereas the underlying mechanism(s) remains elusive. Here, we found that celastrol inhibited cell-extracellular matrix (ECM) adhesion of human lung cancer 95-D and mouse melanoma B16F10 cells. This inhibition was achieved through suppressing beta1 integrin ligand affinity and focal adhesion formation, accompanied by the reduced phosphorylation of focal adhesion kinase (FAK). In understanding the underlying mechanisms, we found that celastrol activated p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) by phosphorylation before the decrement of phosphorylated FAK and that this action was independent of the presence of fibronectin. Using 4-(4-fluorophenyl)-2-(4-methylsulfinylphenyl)-5-(4-pyridyl)1H-imidazole (SB203580), a specific inhibitor of p38 MAPK, the effects of celastrol on beta1 integrin function, cell-ECM adhesion, and phosphorylation of FAK were partially attenuated. In addition, focal adhesion-dependent cell migration and invasion were both inhibited by treatment with celastrol. Finally, the antimetastatic activity of celastrol was examined in vivo using the B16F10-green fluorescent protein-injected C57BL/6 mouse model, as indicated by decreased pulmonary metastases in celastrol-administrated mice. Taken together, these data demonstrate for the first time that celastrol exerts potent antimetastatic activity both in vitro and in vivo, and they provide new evidence for the critical roles of p38 MAPK in the regulation of integrin function and cell adhesion.

High expression levels of DEF6 predicts a poor prognosis for patients with clear cell renal cell carcinoma.

Clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) is one of the most common types of malignant tumors and early detection contributes to a better prognosis. Finding new biomarkers for the diagnosis or treatment remains meaningful. DEF6 guanine nucleotide exchange factor (DEF6) is upregulated in ccRCC compared to normal controls, but the relationship between DEF6 expression and prognosis in ccRCC is unclear. Moreover, the potential biological functions of DEF6 in ccRCC remains unclear. In the present study, the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO), TISIDB and the clinical database of the Peking University First Hospital were used to analyze DEF6 expression in ccRCC. Immunohistochemistry (IHC), western blotting and reverse transcription­quantitative PCR were used to examine the DEF6 protein and mRNA expression levels in cell lines and clinical samples. Subsequently, the Kaplan­Meier method and Cox regression analyses were used to determine the impact of DEF6 expression on the overall survival of patients alongside other clinical variables in both the TCGA database and the present clinical database. The results showed that both DEF6 mRNA and protein expression levels were upregulated in ccRCC compared to normal controls. The Kaplan­Meier survival analysis showed that patients with high DEF6 expression had poor prognoses from both the TCGA database and the present clinical database. Univariate survival analysis and multivariate survival analysis revealed that DEF6 could be an independent prognostic factor for ccRCC. Additionally, bioinformatics analysis indicated that differentially expressed genes related to DEF6 expression influenced ccRCC by regulating the tumor immune microenvironment. In conclusion, overexpression of DEF6 is significantly correlated with a poor prognosis for patients with ccRCC and DEF6 may influence the biological processes involved with ccRCC by regulating the immune microenvironment.

Investigation of the component in Artemisia annua L. leading to enhanced antiplasmodial potency of artemisinin via regulation of its metabolism.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: The chemical matrix of the herb Artemisia annua L. (A. annua), from which artemisinin (QHS) is isolated, can enhance both the bioavailability and efficacy of QHS. However, the exact mechanism of this synergism remains unknown. The biotransformation of QHS and potential "enzyme inhibitors" in plant matrix could be of great importance in understanding the improved efficacy of QHS in A. annua, which has been limited to the synergism with flavonoid components. AIM OF THE STUDY: To investigate the component in A. annua extracts (MAE) leading to enhanced antiplasmodial potency of QHS via regulation of its metabolism. The efficacy of QHS in combination with the synergistic component was also evaluated. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The total MAE extract and its three MAE fractions (MAE-I eluted using 3% methanol, MAE-II eluted using 50% methanol and MAE-III eluted using 85% methanol) were obtained from dry plant materials and prepared after lyophilization. The pharmacokinetic profiles of QHS and its major phase I metabolite monohydroxylated artemisinin (QHS-M) were investigated in healthy rats after a single oral administration of QHS in each MAE extract. Major components isolated from the target MAE fraction were evaluated for their enzyme inhibition. The antimalarial activity of QHS in combination with the potential synergistic component against Plasmodium falciparum was studied in vivo (murine Plasmodium yoelii). The recrudescence and survival time of infected mice were also recorded after drug treatment. RESULTS: Compared to pure QHS, a 2-fold increase in QHS exposure (AUC and Cmax) was found in healthy rats after a single oral dose of QHS in the total MAE extract or its fraction MAE-III. In addition, metabolic biotransformation of QHS to the metabolite QHS-M (mediated by CYP3A) was inhibited by MAE or MAE-III. Among nine major components isolated from MAE-III (five sesquiterpenenes, three flavonoids and one phenolic acid), only arteannuin B (AB) showed an inhibition of CYP3A4 (IC50 1.2µM). The synergism between QHS and AB was supported using in vivo antiplasmodial assay and a pharmacokinetic study in mice. Unfortunately, the synergism cannot reduce the rate of recrudescence. CONCLUSIONS: AB was one of main contributors in A. annua leading to enhanced antiplasmodial potency of QHS via regulation of its metabolism. The final recrudescence indicated the careful use of A. annua for malaria treatment unless additional contributing components or antiplasmodial mechanism were found.

Mogrol represents a novel leukemia therapeutic, via ERK and STAT3 inhibition.

Unlike solid tumors, the primary strategy for leukemia treatment is chemotherapy. However, leukemia chemotherapy is associated with adverse drug effects and drug resistance. Therefore, it is imperative to identify novel agents that effectively treat leukemia while minimizing adverse effects. The Raf/MEK/extracellular regulated kinase (ERK) and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) pathways have been implicated in leukemia carcinogenesis, and provide novel molecular targets for therapeutic intervention in cancer. Mogrol, a biometabolite of mogrosides found in Siraitia grosvenorii, has exhibited anti-cancer activities; however, the underlying mechanism of this effect remains unclear. To clarify its anti-cancer activity and mechanism of action, we treated K562 leukemia cells with mogrol. Mogrol suppressed leukemia cell growth via inhibition of the ERK1/2 and STAT3 pathways, in particular, through the suppression of p-ERK1/2 and p-STAT3. Inhibition of these pathways suppressed Bcl-2 expression, thereby inducing K562 cell apoptosis. Furthermore, mogrol enhanced p21 expression, resulting in G0/G1 cell cycle arrest. The findings provide new perspectives regarding the role of mogrol in leukemia treatment.

Q6, a novel hypoxia-targeted drug, regulates hypoxia-inducible factor signaling via an autophagy-dependent mechanism in hepatocellular carcinoma.

Tumor hypoxia underlies treatment failure and yields more aggressive and metastatic cancer phenotypes. Although therapeutically targeting these hypoxic environments has been proposed for many years, to date no approaches have shown the therapeutic value to gain regulatory approval. Here, we demonstrated that a novel hypoxia-activated prodrug, Q6, exhibits potent antiproliferative efficacy under hypoxic conditions and induces caspase-dependent apoptosis in 2 hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cell lines, with no obvious toxicity being detected in 2 normal liver cell lines. Treatment with Q6 markedly downregulated HIF1A [hypoxia inducible factor 1, α subunit (basic helix-loop-helix transcription factor)] expression and transcription of the downstream target gene, VEGFA (vascular endothelial growth factor A). This dual hypoxia-targeted modulation mechanism leads to high potency in suppressing tumor growth and vascularization in 2 in vivo models. Intriguingly, it is the autophagy-dependent degradation pathway that plays a crucial role in Q6-induced attenuation of HIF1A expression, rather than the proteasome-dependent pathway, which is normally regarded as the predominant mechanism underlying posttranslational regulation of HIF1A. Inhibition of autophagy, either by short interfering RNA (siRNA) or by chemical inhibitors, blocked Q6-induced HIF1A degradation. Autophagic degradation of HIF1A was further confirmed by the observation that HIF1A coimmunoprecipitated with the ubiquitin-binding adaptor protein, SQSTM1, which is degraded through autophagy. Additionally, silencing of SQSTM1 inhibited Q6-induced HIF1A degradation. These findings suggest that the novel hypoxia-targeted agent, Q6, has potential clinical value in the therapy of HCC. Furthermore, the identification of autophagy as a crucial regulator of HIF1A provides new insights into hypoxia-related treatments.

Tirapazamine sensitizes hepatocellular carcinoma cells to topoisomerase I inhibitors via cooperative modulation of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α.

Topoisomerase I inhibitors are a class of anticancer drugs with a broad spectrum of clinical activity. However, they have limited efficacy in hepatocellular cancer. Here, we present in vitro and in vivo evidence that the extremely high level of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) in hepatocellular carcinoma is intimately correlated with resistance to topoisomerase I inhibitors. In a previous study conducted by our group, we found that tirapazamine could downregulate HIF-1α expression by decreasing HIF-1α protein synthesis. Therefore, we hypothesized that combining tirapazamine with topoisomerase I inhibitors may overcome the chemoresistance. In this study, we investigated that in combination with tirapazamine, topoisomerase I inhibitors exhibited synergistic cytotoxicity and induced significant apoptosis in several hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines. The enhanced apoptosis induced by tirapazamine plus SN-38 (the active metabolite of irinotecan) was accompanied by increased mitochondrial depolarization and caspase pathway activation. The combination treatment dramatically inhibited the accumulation of HIF-1α protein, decreased the HIF-1α transcriptional activation, and impaired the phosphorylation of proteins involved in the homologous recombination repair pathway, ultimately resulting in the synergism of these two drugs. Moreover, the increased anticancer efficacy of tirapazamine combined with irinotecan was further validated in a human liver cancer Bel-7402 xenograft mouse model. Taken together, our data show for the first time that HIF-1α is strongly correlated with resistance to topoisomerase I inhibitors in hepatocellular carcinoma. These results suggest that HIF-1α is a promising target and provide a rationale for clinical trials investigating the efficacy of the combination of topoisomerase I inhibitors and tirapazamine in hepatocellular cancers.

Synergistic antitumor activity of gemcitabine and ABT-737 in vitro and in vivo through disrupting the interaction of USP9X and Mcl-1.

The Bcl-2 antagonist ABT-737 targets Bcl-2/Bcl-xL, but not Mcl-1, which may confer resistance to this agent in various cancers with high levels of Mcl-1. Here, we showed that the combination of gemcitabine and ABT-737 exhibited synergistic cytotoxicity and induced significant apoptosis in multiple cancer types, including lung, renal, bladder, and prostate cancers. The enhanced apoptosis induced by gemcitabine plus ABT-737 was accompanied by the greater extent of mitochondrial depolarization, caspases-3 activation, and PARP cleavage in 95-D and 5637 cell lines. Importantly, in ABT-737-resistant cancer cells, the interaction between USP9X and Mcl-1, which was increased by ABT-737 treatment, could be disrupted by gemcitabine, thus resulting in enhanced ubiquitination and the subsequent degradation of Mcl-1 and ultimately in the synergism of these two drugs. Moreover, the increased anticancer efficacy of gemcitabine combined with ABT-737 was further validated in a human lung cancer 95-D xenograft model in nude mice. Taken together, our data first showed the synergistic anticancer capabilities achieved by combining gemcitabine and ABT-737 and, second, opened new opportunities to use antiapoptotic Bcl-2 family members, which drive tumor cell resistance in current anticancer therapies, therapeutically.