(-)-Kusunokinin inhibits breast cancer in N-nitrosomethylurea-induced mammary tumor rats.

Natural and synthetic (-)-kusunokinin inhibited breast cancer, colon cancer and cholangiocarcinoma cells at the G2/M phase and induced apoptosis. However, there is no report on the action and adverse effects of (-)-kusunokinin in animal models. In this study, we investigated the cytotoxic effect of (-)-kusunokinin from Piper nigrum on cancer cells. NMU-induced rat mammary tumors, an ER positive breast cancer model, were treated with (-)-kusunokinin. Proteins of interest related to cell cycle, angiogenesis, migration and signaling proteins were detected in tumor tissues. Results showed that (-)-kusunokinin exhibited strong cytotoxicity against breast, colon and lung cancer cells and caused low toxicity against normal fibroblast cells. For in vivo study, 7.0 mg/kg and 14.0 mg/kg of (-)-kusunokinin reduced tumor growth without side effects on body weight, internal organs and bone marrow. Combination of (-)-kusunokinin with a low effective dose of doxorubicin significantly inhibited tumor growth and provoked cell death in cancer tissues. Mechanistically, 14.0 mg/kg of (-)-kusunokinin decreased cell proliferation (c-Src, PI3K, Akt, p-Erk1/2 and c-Myc), cell cycle (E2f-1, cyclin B1 and CDK1), and metastasis (E-cadherin, MMP-2 and MMP-9) proteins in tumor tissues, which supports its anticancer effect. We further confirmed the antimigration effect of (-)-kusunokinin; the results show that this compound inhibited breast cancer cell (MCF-7) migration in a dose-dependent manner. In conclusion, the results suggest that 14 mg/kg of (-)-kusunokinin inhibited tumors through the reduction of signaling proteins and their downstream molecules. Therefore, (-)-kusunokinin becomes an intriguing candidate for cancer treatment as it provides a strong potency in cancer inhibition.

(-)-Kusunokinin and piperloguminine from Piper nigrum: An alternative option to treat breast cancer.

Several studies have reported that active compounds isolated from Piper nigrum possess anticancer properties. However, there are no data on anticancer activity of (-)-kusunokinin and piperlonguminine. The purposes of this study were to isolate active compounds from P. nigrum and identify the molecular mechanisms underlying growth and apoptosis pathway in breast cancer cells. Two bioactive compounds, (-)-kusunokinin and piperlonguminine, were isolated from P. nigrum. Cytotoxicity and the molecular mechanism were measured by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay, flow cytometry and Western blot analysis. We found that the active compounds, which effect cancer cell lines were (-)-kusunokinin and piperlonguminine. These compounds have potent cytotoxic effects on breast cancer cells (MCF-7 and MDA-MB-468) and colorectal cells (SW-620). (-)-Kusunokinin demonstrated a cytotoxic effect on MCF-7 and MDA-MB-468 with IC50 values of 1.18 and 1.62µg/mL, respectively. Piperlonguminine had a cytotoxic effect on MCF-7 and MDA-MB-468 with IC50 values of 1.63 and 2.19µg/mL, respectively. Both compounds demonstrated lower cytotoxicity against normal breast cell lines with IC50 values higher than 11µg/mL. Cell cycle and apoptotic analysis using flow cytometry, showed that the (-)-kusunokinin and piperlonguminine induced cell undergoing apoptosis and drove cells towards the G2/M phase. Moreover, both compounds decreased topoisomerase II and bcl-2. The increasing of p53 levels further increased p21, bax, cytochrome c, caspase-8, -7 and -3 activities, except caspase-9. These results suggest that the (-)-kusunokinin and piperlonguminine have been shown to have potent anticancer activities through extrinsic pathway and G2/M phase arrest.

Cytotoxic activity of Piper cubeba extract in breast cancer cell lines.

This study aimed to evaluate the cytotoxicity of a crude extract of Piper cubeba against normal and breast cancer cell lines. To prepare the extract, P. cubeba seeds were ground, soaked in methanol and dichloromethane and isolated by column chromatography. Fractions were tested for cytotoxicity effects on normal fibroblast (L929), normal breast (MCF-12A) and breast cancer cell lines (MCF-7, MDA-MB-468 and MDA-MB-231). The most effective fraction was selected for DNA fragmentation assay to detect apoptotic activity. The results showed that the methanolic crude extract had a higher cytotoxic activity against MDA-MB-468 and MCF-7 than a dichloromethane crude extract. Then, the methanolic crude extract was separated into six fractions, designated A to F. Fraction C was highly active against breast cancer cell lines with an IC50 value less than 4 µg/mL. Therefore, Fraction C was further separated into seven fractions, CA to CG. The 1H-NMR profile showed that Fraction CE was long chain hydrocarbons. Moreover, Fraction CE demonstrated the highest activity against MCF-7 cells with an IC50 value of 2.69 ± 0.09 µg/mL and lower cytotoxicity against normal fibroblast L929 cells with an IC50 value of 4.17 ± 0.77 µg/mL. Finally, DNA fragmentation with a ladder pattern characteristic of apoptosis was observed in MCF-7, MDA-MB-468, MDA-MB-231 and L929 cells, but not in MCF-12A cells.

Extracts from Vatica diospyroides type SS fruit show low dose activity against MDA-MB-468 breast cancer cell-line via apoptotic action.

Very strong antiproliferative action of V. diospyroides type SS fruit extracts (IC50 range of 1.60-17.45 µg/mL) in MDA-MB-468 cell-line was observed in an MTT assay. After dosing of an extract concentration at half IC50 to cell line for 24 to 72 hours, treated cells were subjected to Annexin V-FITC/PI binding assay, followed by FACS and western blot analyses. Significant apoptotic death was observed with all extract treatments and both exposure times. Dosing with acetone extract of pericarp and cotyledon induced the highest apoptotic populations (33 and 32%, resp.), with the lowest populations of viable cells (65 and 67%, resp.). During 24 to 72 hours of dosing with methanolic extract of pericarp, the populations of viable and early apoptotic cells decreased significantly from 72.40 to 71.32% and from 12.00 to 6.36%, respectively, while the late apoptotic and nonviable cell populations continuously increased from 15.30 to 19.18% and from 0.30 to 3.14%, respectively. The expression of Bax increased within 12-48 hours of dosing, confirming apoptosis induced by time-dependent responses. The mutant p53 of MDA-MB-468 cells was expressed. Our results indicate that apoptosis and time-dependent therapeutic actions contribute to the cytotoxic effects of V. diospyroides type SS fruit on MDA-MB-468 cell.

Azaphilone and isocoumarin derivatives from the endophytic fungus Penicillium sclerotiorum PSU-A13.

Two new azaphilone derivatives, penicilazaphilones A (1) and B (2), and one new isocoumarin, penicilisorin (3), together with six known compounds were isolated from the endophytic fungus Penicillium sclerotiorum PSU-A13. Their structures were identified by analysis of spectroscopic data. The antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Candida albicans and Cryptococcus neoformans as well as the inhibitory effect on human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-1 integrase and protease were examined.

Xanthone and sesquiterpene derivatives from the fruits of Garcinia scortechinii.

The fruits of Garcinia scortechinii afforded 10 new compounds: four caged-tetraprenylated xanthones (scortechinones Q-T, 1-4), four rearranged xanthones (scortechinones U-X, 5-8), and two sesquiterpene derivatives (scortechterpenes A, B, 9, 10), together with 14 known compounds: one sesquiterpene, two biflavonoids, and 11 caged-polyprenylated xanthones. Their structures were elucidated by analysis of spectroscopic data and comparison of the NMR data with those reported previously. All xanthone derivatives were evaluated for antibacterial activity against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.

An antibacterial biphenyl derivative from Garcinia bancana MIQ.

From the methanol extract of the twigs and leaves of Garcinia bancana MIQ., one new biphenyl derivative (1), was isolated and characterized along with nine known compounds; garcinol, isogarcinol, (-)-mellein, 8-hydroxy-6-methoxy-3-n-pentylisocoumarin, blumenol C O-beta-D-glucoside, quercetin 3-O-alpha-L-rhamnoside, kaemferol 3-O-alpha-L-rhamnoside, lupeol and stigmasterol. Their structures were determined by analysis of 1D and 2D NMR data and comparison of spectral data and physical data with those previously reported. The antibacterial activity against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus was evaluated. Garcinol showed the lowest minimum inhibition concentration (MIC) at 16 microg/ml while compound 1 exhibited weaker activity with MIC value of 64 microg/ml.

Antibacterial caged-tetraprenylated xanthones from the stem bark of Garcinia scortechinii.

Five new caged-tetraprenylated xanthones, scortechinones L - P (1-5), together with six known scortechinones (A, B, D, F, I and J) and one known xanthone, 4 '',5 ''-dihydro-1,5-dihydroxy-6 ',6 '-dimethylpyrano(2 ',3 ':6,7)-4 '',4 '',5 ''-trimethylfurano(2 '',3 '':3,4)- xanthone, were isolated from the crude methanol extract of the stem bark of Garcinia scortechinii. The structures were elucidated by analysis of spectroscopic data and comparison of the NMR data with those reported previously. The antibacterial activity of all caged-polyprenylated xanthones, isolated from the latex and stem bark of G. scortechinii, was evaluated. Scortechinone B (6) exhibited significant antibacterial activity against a methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus strain with an MIC value of 2 microg/mL. From the MIC values, some structure-antibacterial activity relationships were established.