Resveratrol Analogues as Selective Estrogen Signaling Pathway Modulators: Structure-Activity Relationship.

Resveratrol is a plant-derived phytoalexin found in grapes, red wine and many other plants used in Asian folk medicine. It is extensively studied for pleiotropic biological activity. The most crucial are anticancer and chemopreventive properties. Resveratrol has also been reported to be an antioxidant and phytoestrogen. The phytoestrogenic activity of resveratrol was assayed in different in vitro and in vivo models. Although these works brought some, on the first look, conflicting results, it is commonly accepted that resveratrol interacts with estrogen receptors and functions as a mixed agonist/antagonist. It is widely accepted that the hydroxyl groups are crucial for resveratrol's cytotoxic and antioxidative activity and are responsible for binding estrogen receptors. In this work, we assayed 11 resveratrol analogues, seven barring methoxy groups and six hydroxylated analogues in different combinations at positions 3, 4, 5 and 3',4',5'. For this purpose, recombined estrogen receptors and estrogen-dependent MCF-7 and Ishikawa cells were used. Our study was supported by in silico docking studies. We have shown that, resveratrol and 3,4,4'5'-tetrahydroxystilbene, 3,3',4,5,5'-pentahydroxystilbene and 3,3',4,4',5,5'-hexahydroxystilbene may act as selective estrogen receptor modulators.

Can cardiovascular drugs support cancer treatment? The rationale for drug repurposing.

Research on the concept of biological overlap between cardiovascular and oncological diseases is gaining momentum. In fact, in both conditions, the malfunction of common regulatory mechanisms, such as the renin-angiotensin system (RAS), sympathetic nervous system (SNS), coagulation cascade, sodium-potassium ATP-ases, and mevalonate pathway, occurs. Thus, targeting these mechanisms with well-known cardiology drugs, including angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACE-Is), angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs), ß-adrenergic receptor blockers, statins, cardiac glycosides (CGs), and low-molecular-weight heparins (LMWHs), could be a novel, promising adjuvant strategy in cancer management. Thus, here we discuss the idea of repurposing cardiology drugs in oncology based on available preclinical and clinical data.

Cytotoxic activity of physodic acid and acetone extract from Hypogymnia physodes against breast cancer cell lines.

CONTEXT: Lichens produce specific secondary metabolites with different biological activity. OBJECTIVE: This study investigated the cytotoxic effects of physodic acid, in addition to the total phenolic content and cytotoxic and antioxidant activity of acetone extract from Hypogymnia physodes (L.) Nyl. (Parmeliaceae). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cytotoxicity of physodic acid (0.1-100 µM) was assessed in MDA-MB-231, MCF-7 and T-47D breast cancer cell lines and a nontumorigenic MCF-10A cell line using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide, neutral red uptake and crystal violet assays during 72 h of incubation. An MTT assay was also used to assess the cytotoxic effects of the acetone extract (0.1-100 µg/mL) in the MDA-MB-231, MCF-7, T-47D breast cancer cell lines after 72 h. The total phenolic content of the acetone extract, expressed as the gallic acid equivalent, was investigated using Folin-Ciocalteu reagent. The antioxidant activity of the extract was assessed by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl and ferric-reducing antioxidant power assays. RESULTS: The cytotoxic activity of physodic acid appeared to be strong in the tumorigenic cell lines (IC50 46.0-93.9 µM). The compound was inactive against the nontumorigenic MCF-10A cell line (IC50 >100 µM). The acetone extract showed cytotoxicity in the breast cancer cell lines (IC50 46.2-110.4 µg/mL). The acetone extract was characterized by a high content of polyphenols, and it had significant antioxidant activity. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Physodic acid and acetone extract from H. physodes displayed cytotoxic effects in the breast cancer cell lines. Furthermore, acetone extract from H. physodes possessed significant antioxidant properties.

Modulating potential of L-sulforaphane in the expression of cytochrome p450 to identify potential targets for breast cancer chemoprevention and therapy using breast cell lines.

The L-sulforaphane (SFN) component of broccoli sprout showed anticancer activity in several preclinical studies including breast cancer. Estrogens are considered major risk factors in breast carcinogenesis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of SFN on the expression of cytochrome P450 involved in the estrogen metabolism in breast cancer cell lines MCF7 and MDA-MB-231 and in non-tumorigenic MCF10A cell line. The expression of CYP19, CYP1A1, 1A2, 1B1 was determined at the transcript and protein levels. There were found some remarkable differences in the effect of SFN at a dose of 5 µmol/L on CYP19 expression: in ER(+) MCF7 significant reduction, in ER(-) MDA-MB-231 an increased expression and unchanged expression in MCF10A cell line. The effect of SFN on CYPs (1A1, 1A2, 1B1) involved in estrogen catabolism was to a lesser extent dependent on breast cell line. The slightly reduced CYP1A1 protein level was observed in all cell lines tested. An increased level of CYP1A2 and decreased level of CYP1B1 expression were found in MCF10A. These results indicate that the naturally occurring L isomer of SFN may affect the expression of P450s involved in estrogen metabolism. This effect may contribute to the anticancer activity of SFN in breast tissue.

[Quod medicina aliis, aliis est acre venenum**--venoms as a source of anticancer agents]. / Quod medicina aliis, aliis est acre venenum*--jady jako zródlo substancji o dzialaniu przeciwnowotworowym.

Natural product derived from plants and animals were used in folk medicine for centuries. The venoms produced by animals for hunting of self-defence are rich in bioactive compounds with broad spectrum of biological activity. The papers presents the most promising compounds isolated from venoms of snakes, scorpions and toads. For these compounds both: mechanism of anticancer activity as well as possibilities of clinical use are presented.

Different effects of resveratrol on dose-related Doxorubicin-induced heart and liver toxicity.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of resveratrol in doxorubicin-induced cardiac and hepatic toxicity. Doxorubicin was administered once a week throughout the period of 7 weeks with 1.0 or 2.0 mg/kg body weight or concomitantly with resveratrol (20 mg/kg of feed). Heart and liver toxicity was histologically and biochemically evaluated. Resveratrol protected from the heart lipid peroxidation caused by 1 mg doxorubicin and it sharply diminished superoxide dismutase activity. An insignificant effect of resveratrol on the lipid peroxidation level and the superoxide dismutase activity was observed in the hearts of rats administered a higher dose of doxorubicin. However, resveratrol attenuate necrosis and other cardiac histopathological changes were induced by a high dose of doxorubicin. Interestingly, it slightly intensified adverse cardiac histological changes in rats receiving a lower dose of doxorubicin. Resveratrol did not have any protective effect on the hepatic oxidative stress, while exerting a mild beneficial effect on the morphological changes caused by doxorubicin. All in all, this study has shown different effects of resveratrol on dose-related doxorubicin-induced heart and liver toxicity. Resveratrol may modulate the hepatic and cardiac effect of doxorubicin, depending on the drug dose.

Protective effect of red beetroot against carbon tetrachloride- and N-nitrosodiethylamine-induced oxidative stress in rats.

The aim of the study was to investigate the potential protective effect of beetroot juice in a model of oxidative stress induced by N-nitrosodiethylamine (NDEA) and carbon tetrachloride (CCl(4)). Male Wistar rats were treated with beetroot juice per os, 8 mL/kg/day for 28 days, and a single i.p. dose of the xenobiotics: 150 mg/kg NDEA or 2 mL/kg CCl(4). Simultaneously, two groups of rats not pretreated with juice were given only each of the xenobiotics. The level of microsomal lipid peroxidation in the liver, expressed as TBARS concentration, was increased several fold in rats administered only NDEA or CCl(4). TBARS were decreased by 38% only in rats pretreated with beetroot juice before the administration of CCl(4). In animals pretreated with juice and receiving NDEA, a further increase in TBARS occurred. All of the investigated antioxidant enzymes were inhibited by the administration of either toxicant alone by 26%-77% as compared to controls. Pretreatment with juice caused a partial recovery in the activity of glutathione peroxidase and glutathione reductase, by 35% and 66%, respectively. Superoxide dismutase activity was increased about 3-fold in animals pretreated with juice. Both xenobiotics caused a rise in plasma protein carbonyls, which were reduced by 30% in rats pretreated with juice and then injected with NDEA. Similarly, DNA damage in blood leukocytes caused by either toxicant was slightly diminished, by 20%, in the rats treated with juice before NDEA administration. It could be concluded that pretreatment with beetroot juice can counteract, to some extent, xenobiotic-induced oxidative stress in rats.

[Xenoestrogens: endocrine disrupting compounds]. / Ksenoestrogeny: substancje zaklócajace funkcjonowanie ukladu hormonalnego.

In recent years much attention has been paid to the issues of chemicals that disrupt the normal function of endocrine system, namely xenoestrogens. These chemicals can mimic the activity of endogenous estrogens, antagonize their interaction with estrogen receptors or disrupt the synthesis, metabolism and functions of endogenous female hormones. Due to the fact that they act thanks to many different mechanisms, it is very difficult to estimate their estrogenic activity by means of a simple tests. The important issue remains the fact that xenoestrogens may have a positive or negative influence on the function of the endocrine system. It seems to be very important that there are many sources of xenoestrogens, that is not only vegetables and fruit (phytoestrogens), but also metals (Co, Cu, Ni, Cr, Pb), dental appliances (alkilphenols), food containers or blood containers (PVC--polyvinyl chloride, DEHP--di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate), cosmetics (parabens) and pesticides (DDT--dichlor-diphenyl-trichlorethylane, endosulfane).

Cytotoxic and biochemical effects of 3,3',4,4',5,5'-hexahydroxystilbene, a novel resveratrol analog in HL-60 human promyelocytic leukemia cells.

OBJECTIVE: Resveratrol (3,4',5,-trihydroxystilbene, RV), an ingredient of wine, is an inhibitor of the proliferation-linked enzyme ribonucleotide reductase (RR) and shows a broad spectrum of cytotoxic effects against human cancer cells. In order to enhance these effects, we introduced additional hydroxyl moieties into the molecule. In the present study, the activity of a novel RV analog, 3,3',4,4',5,5'-hexahydroxystilbene (M8), was investigated in HL-60 human promyelocytic leukemia cells. METHODS: Cytotoxicity of M8 alone or in combination with Ara-C was assessed employing growth inhibition assays. Effects of M8 on nucleoside triphosphates (NTPs) and deoxynucleoside triphosphates (dNTPs) were examined by HPLC. The apoptotic potential of M8 and RV was compared using a specific double-staining method and inhibition of TNF-alpha-induced activation of NF-kappaB was studied. Cell-cycle distribution was analyzed by FACS. RESULTS: Addition of ascorbic acid decreased the IC(50) value of M8 from 6.25 microM to 2 microM. M8 depleted dATP and dTTP pools to 41% and 21% of control values, whereas dCTP pools increased to 199% of untreated controls. In addition, TTP, ATP, CTP, and GTP concentrations were decreased while UTP concentrations increased. M8 induced apoptosis at concentrations significantly lower than RV and could remarkably inhibit the activation of NF-kappaB. M8 arrested cells in the S phase of the cell cycle while depleting cells in the G2-M phase and exhibited synergistic combination effects when applied simultaneously with Ara-C. CONCLUSION: Due to these promising results, this novel polyhydroxylated stilbene derivative might become an additional option for the treatment of leukemia and therefore deserves further preclinical and in vivo testing.

Antioxidant activity of isocytisoside and extracts of Aquilegia vulgaris.

Two extracts (ethyl acetate and ethanol) and isocytisoside obtained from Aquilegia vulgaris were tested for their antioxidant and free radical scavenging activity in vitro. Inhibition both non-enzymatic (IC50: 150-219 microg/ml) and enzymatic (IC50: 23-60 microg/ml) microsomal lipid peroxidation was observed, the extracts being more active than isocytisoside. The substances tested appeared to be weak hydroxyl radical scavengers, showed very low TEAC values and moderate iron chelation ability. However, all preparations at the concentration 25 microg/ml inhibited superoxide anion formation at the range 47-68%. Despite of the lack of a potent free radical scavenging ability the substances tested demonstrated significant antioxidant activity. Relationship between this parameter and the content of phenolic groups was noticed.

Protective effect of Aquilegia vulgaris (L.) on APAP-induced oxidative stress in rats.

Rats pretreated with acetaminophen (N-acetyl-p-aminophenol, APAP) (600 mg/kg b.w., p.o.) were administered with ethanol and ethyl acetate extracts as well as with isocytisoside (100 mg/kg b.w., p.o.) obtained from Aquilegia vulgaris (L.) (Ranunculaceae) herb. The substances tested decreased enzymatic, non-enzymatic and uninduced microsomal lipid peroxidation (LPO) in the liver of rats treated with APAP by 18-48%. Activity of the antioxidant enzymes in the liver inhibited by APAP was increased in the majority of groups after administration of the substances tested: catalase (CAT) by 55%, glutathione peroxidase (GPx) by 50%, glutathione reductase (GR) by 35% and glutathione S-transferase (GST) by 60%. Hepatic glutathione level depleted by APAP was only slightly increased by the substances tested. The cytochrome P450 contents, and the activities of NADPH-cytochrome P450 reductase and two monooxygenases were not affected by the extracts and isocytisoside. It can be concluded that the protective ability of the substances tested in APAP-induced liver injury is mediated by amelioration of microsomal lipid peroxidation and restoring antioxidant enzymes activity. Inhibition of enzymes responsible for metabolic activation of APAP is not involved in this process.