ERK inhibitor JSI287 alleviates imiquimod-induced mice skin lesions by ERK/IL-17 signaling pathway.

Many studies confirmed that the over-activation of RAF-MEK-ERK signaling pathway plays a central role in human cancers. To avoid drug resistance during cancer treatment, many researchers focused on the study of the downstream therapeutic target of RAF-MEK-ERK signaling pathway. Therefore, ERK1/2 became a hot anticancer target. It has been shown that ERK phosphorylation could activate Th17 cells and therefore induce inflammatory diseases. Due to these results, inhibition of ERK, as a potential drug target, could provide a solution for autoimmune diseases, especially T cell mediated diseases. In this study, a small synthetic molecule JSI287 was found with the function of alleviating IMQ-induced mice skin lesions through ERK/IL-17 signaling pathway during the screening of small molecule databases targeting ERK. The results showed that JS1287 small molecule alleviated epidermal thickness, epidermis congestion, edema and inflammatory cell infiltration, decreased release of inflammatory cytokines of IL-6, IL-12 and IL-17A, and further regulated the mRNA expression of ATF1 and protein expression of ERK1/2 in IMQ-induced skin lesions. Our study suggested that ERK inhibitor JSI287 could be a promising candidate for psoriasis treatment.

Hypolipidemic effect of SIPI-7623, a derivative of an extract from oriental wormwood, through farnesoid X receptor antagonism.

Farnesoid X receptor (FXR) is a member of the nuclear receptor superfamily of ligand-activated transcription factors. As a metabolic regulator, FXR plays key roles in bile acid and cholesterol metabolism and lipid and glucose homeostasis. Therefore, FXR is a potential drug target for several metabolic syndromes, especially those related to lipidemia disorders. In the present study, we identified small molecule SIPI-7623, a derivative of an extract from Oriental wormwood (Artemisia capillaris), and found that it specifically upregulated the expression of cholesterol-7-alpha-hydroxylase (CYP7A1), downregulated the expression of sterol-regulatory element-binding protein 1c (SREBP-1c) in the liver, and inhibited the expression of ileal bile acid binding-protein (IBABP) in the ileum of rats. We found that inhibition of FXR by SIPI-7623 decreased the level of cholesterol and triglyceride. SIPI-7623 reduced the levels of cholesterol and triglyceride in in vitro HepG2 cell models, ameliorated diet-induced atherosclerosis, and decreased the serum lipid content on rats and rabbits model of atherosclerosis in vivo. Furthermore, SIPI-7623 decreased the extent of atherosclerotic lesions. Our resutls demonstrated that antagonism of the FXR pathway can be employed as a therapeutic strategy to treat metabolic diseases such as hyperlipidemia and atherosclerosis. In conclusion, SIPI-7623 could be a promising lead compound for development of drugs to treat hyperlipidemia and atherosclerosis.

Oral JS-38, a metabolite from Xenorhabdus sp., has both anti-tumor activity and the ability to elevate peripheral neutrophils.

AIM: JS-38 (mitothiolore), a synthetic version of a metabolite isolated from Xenorhabdus sp., was evaluated for its anti-tumor and white blood cell (WBC) elevating activities. METHOD: These anti-proliferative activities were assessed in vitro using a panel of ten cell lines. The anti-tumor activities were tested in vivo using B16 allograft mouse models and xenograft models of A549 human lung carcinoma and QGY human hepatoma in nude mice. The anti-tumor interactions of JS-38 and cyclophosphamide (CTX) or 5-fluorouracil (5-Fu) were studied in a S180 sarcoma model in ICR mice. Specific stimulatory effects were determined on peripheral neutrophils in normal and CTX- and 5-Fu-induced neutropenic mice. RESULTS: The IC50 values ranged from 0.1 to 2.0 µmol·L(-1). JS-38 (1 µmol·L(-1)) caused an increase in A549 tumor cell apoptosis. Multi-daily gavage of JS-38 (15, 30, and 60 mg·kg(-1)·d(-1)) inhibited in vivo tumor progression without a significant effect on body weight. JS-38 additively enhanced the in vivo anti-tumor effects of CTX or 5-Fu. JS-38 increased peripheral neutrophil counts and neutrophil rates in normal BALB/c mice almost as effectively as granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF). In mice with neutropenia induced by CTX or 5-Fu, JS-38 rapidly restored neutrophil counts. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that JS-38 has anti-tumor activity, and also has the ability to increase peripheral blood neutrophils.