Novel Polyphenols That Inhibit Colon Cancer Cell Growth Affecting Cancer Cell Metabolism.

New series of polyphenols with a hydrophilic galloyl-based head and a hydrophobic N-acyl tail, linked through a serinol moiety, have been synthesized and tested against colon cancer cell growth. Our structure activity relationship studies revealed that galloyl moieties are essential for growth inhibition. Moreover, the length of the N-acyl chain is crucial for the activity. Introduction of a (Z) double bond in the acyl chain increased the anticancer properties. Our findings demonstrate that 16, the most potent compound within this series, has inhibitory effects on colon cancer cell growth and metabolism (glycolysis and mitochondrial respiration) at the same time that it activates 5'AMP-activated kinase (AMPK) and induces apoptotic cell death. Based on these results, we propose that 16 might reprogram colon cancer cell metabolism through AMPK activation. This might lead to alterations on cancer cell bioenergy compromising cancer cell viability. Importantly, these antiproliferative and proapoptotic effects are selective for cancer cells. Accordingly, these results indicate that 16, with an unsaturated C18 chain, might be a useful prototype for the development of novel colon cancer cell growth inhibitors affecting cell metabolism.

A Novel Class of Cationic and Non-Peptidic Small Molecules as Hits for the Development of Antimicrobial Agents.

Cationic and non-peptide small molecules containing a total of six positive charges arranged on one side and a long aliphatic tail on the other have been synthesized and tested against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. The positive charges have been contributed by two aminophenol residues. These molecules have showed remarkable antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive bacteria including multidrug-resistant strains. Our structure⁻activity relationship studies demonstrated the importance of the length and flexibility of the hydrophobic tail for the antimicrobial activity. Importantly, these compounds are non-toxic to eukaryotic cells at the concentration affecting growth in bacteria, reflecting an acceptable margin of safety. The small size and easy synthetic accessibility of our molecules can be of interest for the further development of novel antimicrobials against Gram-positive bacterial pathogens, including multidrug-resistant strains.

Digestive stability of hydroxytyrosol, hydroxytyrosyl acetate and alkyl hydroxytyrosyl ethers.

The digestive stability of two natural antioxidant compounds present in virgin olive oil, hydroxytyrosol (HTy) and hydroxytyrosyl acetate (HTy-Ac) and a new series of hydroxytyrosyl ethers (methyl, ethyl and butyl hydroxytyrosyl ethers) was evaluated by a simulated digestion procedure. High recovery of all compounds after gastric digestion was obtained, although they showed a statistically significant lower stability after pancreatic-bile salts digestion. HTy-Ac was partially hydrolyzed into free HTy, whereas after intestinal digestion, HTy was converted into 3,4-dihydroxyphenyl acetic acid (DOPAC), and HTy-Ac was hydrolyzed to HTy and subsequently transformed into DOPAC. In contrast, no chemical modification of hydroxytyrosyl ethers during in vitro digestion was observed. In summary, HTy, HTy-Ac and hydroxytyrosyl ethers show high and interesting digestive stability and the new synthetic hydroxytyrosyl ethers showed enhanced chemical stability compared to HTy and HTy-Ac.

Comparative Cytotoxic Activity of Hydroxytyrosol and Its Semisynthetic Lipophilic Derivatives in Prostate Cancer Cells.

A high adherence to a Mediterranean diet has been related to numerous beneficial effects in human health, including a lower incidence and mortality of prostate cancer (PCa). Olive oil is an important source of phenolic bioactive compounds, mainly hydroxytyrosol (HT), of this diet. Because of the growing interest of this compound and its derivatives as a cancer chemopreventive agent, we aimed to compare the in vitro effect of HT isolated from olive mill wastewaters and five semisynthetic alkyl ether, ester, and nitro-derivatives against prostate cancer (PCa) cell lines. The effect in cell proliferation was determined in RWPE-1, LNCaP, 22Rv1, and PC-3 cells by resazurin assay, the effect in cell migration by wound healing assay, and tumorsphere and colony formation were evaluated. The changes in key signaling pathways involved in carcinogenesis were assessed by using a phosphorylation pathway profiling array and by Western blotting. Antiproliferative effects of HT and two lipophilic derivatives [hydroxytyrosyl acetate (HT-Ac)/ethyl hydroxytyrosyl ether (HT-Et)] were significantly higher in cancerous PC-3 and 22Rv1 cells than in non-malignant RWPE-1 cells. HT/HT-Ac/HT-Et significantly reduced migration capacity in RWPE-1 and PC-3 and prostatosphere size and colony formation in 22Rv1, whereas only HT-Ac and HT-Et reduced these functional parameters in PC-3. The cytotoxic effect in 22Rv1 cells was correlated with modifications in the phosphorylation pattern of key proteins, including ERK1/2 and AKT. Consistently, HT-Ac and HT-Et decreased p-AKT levels in PC-3. In sum, our results suggest that HT and its lipophilic derivatives could be considered as potential therapeutic tools in PCa.

A comparative study of the antiangiogenic activity of hydroxytyrosyl alkyl ethers.

The phenolic compound hydroxytyrosol and its derivatives are responsible for some of the health benefits of the intake of virgin olive oil, having shown antiangiogenic properties. In this study, we explored the antiangiogenic potential of six synthetic hydroxytyrosyl alkyl ethers (HT C1, C2, C4, C6, C8 and C12). Our results showed that all compounds affected endothelial cell viability in vitro at low micromolar doses. In addition, compounds HT C1, C2, C4 and C6 inhibited endothelial cell migration and formation of tubular-like structures. In these assays, hydroxytyrosyl hexyl ether (HT C6) exhibited the most potent inhibitory activity in vitro, activating as well apoptosis in endothelial cells. Furthermore, the antiangiogenic activity of HT C6 was confirmed in vivo in the chick chorioallantoic membrane assay. Hence, we present hydroxytyrosol synthetic derivative HT C6 as a new antiangiogenic compound and as a good candidate for an antiangiogenic drug in the treatment of angiogenesis-dependent diseases.

Synthesis of hydroxytyrosyl alkyl ethers from olive oil waste waters.

The preparation of a new type of derivatives of the naturally occurring antioxidant hydroxytyrosol is reported. Hydroxytyrosyl alkyl ethers were obtained in high yield by a three-step procedure starting from hydroxytyrosol isolated from olive oil waste waters. Preliminary results obtained by the Rancimat method have shown that these derivatives retain the high protective capacity of free hydroxytyrosol.

Galloyl Carbohydrates with Antiangiogenic Activity Mediated by Capillary Morphogenesis Gene 2 (CMG2) Protein Binding.

We previously showed that a small molecule of natural origin, 1,2,3,4,6-penta- O-galloyl-ß-d-glucopyranose (PGG), binds to capillary morphogenesis gene 2 (CMG2) with a submicromolar IC50 and also has antiangiogenic activity in vitro and in vivo. In this work, we synthetized derivatives of PGG with different sugar cores and phenolic substituents and tested these as angiogenesis inhibitors. In a high-throughput Förster resonant energy transfer-based binding assay, we found that one of our synthetic analogues (1,2,3,4,6-penta- O-galloyl-ß-d-mannopyranose (PGM)), with mannose as central core and galloyl substituents, exhibit higher (up to 10×) affinity for CMG2 than the natural glucose prototype PGG and proved to be a potent angiogenesis inhibitor. These findings demonstrate that biochemical CMG2 binding in vitro predicts inhibition of endothelial cell migration ex vivo and antiangiogenic activity in vivo. The molecules herein described, and in particular PGM, might be useful prototypes for the development of novel agents for angiogenesis-dependent diseases, including blinding eye disease and cancer.

Comparison of the anti-angiogenic potential of hydroxytyrosol and five derivatives.

Hydroxytyrosol is a phenolic compound present in extra virgin olive oil, either in free form or as derivatives, and related to some of the health benefits described for olive oil intake. We have demonstrated previously that hydroxytyrosol inhibits angiogenesis both in vitro and in vivo. In the present study, we evaluate the anti-angiogenic potential of five hydroxytyrosol derivatives. Three of these derivatives contain a nitro group and they exhibit a much weaker effect than hydroxytyrosol in the tubule formation assay on Matrigel and therefore were not studied further. In contrast, both hydroxytyrosyl acetate and ethyl hydroxytyrosyl ether show more potent inhibitory effects than hydroxytyrosol in both the in vitro tubule formation assay on Matrigel and the in vivo chorioallantoic membrane assay. Additionally, these three compounds had slight pro-apoptotic effects and decreased matrix metalloproteinase-2 levels in cell extracts.

Antioxidant activity of alkyl hydroxytyrosyl ethers in unsaturated lipids.

The antioxidant activity of ethyl and octyl hydroxytyrosyl ethers toward lipids was determined using the Rancimat and open cup methods at high temperatures and 50 °C, respectively. The effect of the unsaturation of the matrix was evaluated using sunflower, soya, and fish refined oils. The antioxidant activities of alkyl hydroxytyrosyl ethers (HTy ethers), hydroxytyrosyl esters, and free hydroxytyrosol are similar, and are much higher than that of α-tocopherol at the same millimolar concentration. The relationship between the induction period and the concentration of the HTy ethers is a sigmoidal curve; an accurate concentration of HTy ethers is necessary to achieve maximum activity, as it increases with the level of matrix unsaturation. The presence of tocopherols in commercial oils affects the antioxidant effect of HTy ethers. Thus, the addition of a low concentration of HTy ethers results in a positive effect, whereas the effect of the addition of high amounts of ethers is slightly less than that of the phenol alone. The addition of HTy ethers to commercial refined oils increases the stability of the oils and preserves tocopherols and polyunsaturated fatty acids from oxidation, enabling the oils to maintain their nutritional properties for longer periods of time.

Effect of intracerebral hydroxytyrosol and its nitroderivatives on striatal dopamine metabolism: A study by in vivo microdialysis.

AIMS: The natural phenolic oil compound hydroxytyrosol (HTy) is widely studied because of its antioxidant and neuroprotective properties. Nitroderivatives of HTy have been studied in order to evaluate their putative effects on catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) activity. MAIN METHODS: To study its effect on dopamine metabolism, nitrohydroxytyrosol and its lipophilic derivatives (nitrohydroxytyrosyl acetate and ethyl nitrohydroxytyrosyl ether), were administered into the rat corpus striatum through a microdialysis probe. Other catechols (HTy and the known COMT inhibitor Ro 41-0960) were also studied for comparison. KEY FINDINGS: The olive oil phenolic compounds (nitroderivatives and HTy) increased extracellular levels of 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid during the perfusion with similar maximum values to that of Ro 41-0960 when comparing to basal dialysate levels (approximately 140%). None of the compound series produced a decrease in the homovanillic acid extracellular levels below 75%. Among all novel compounds studied, both lipophilic nitrocatechols (nitrohydroxytyrosyl acetate and ethyl nitrohydroxytyrosyl ether) showed a long-acting effect over time once the perfusion through the microdialysis probe ended. SIGNIFICANCE: In accordance with the actual design of novel COMT inhibitors with a long profile, our results suggest a certain influence of the side chain substituent on the COMT activity that could provide new lipophilic COMT inhibitors.

Synthesis and antioxidant evaluation of isochroman-derivatives of hydroxytyrosol: structure-activity relationship.

Isochroman-derivatives of the natural olive oil phenol hydroxytyrosol (HT) have been synthesised via Oxa-Pictet-Spengler reaction in high yields. Lipophilicity and antioxidant activity were determined to establish the structure-activity relationship of isochromans compared to HT, BHT and α-tocopherol. Antioxidant capacity was tested in two different media: bulk oils, using the Rancimat test, and brain homogenates, by measuring malondialdehyde (MDA) levels as a lipoperoxidation biomarker. In addition, other antioxidant assays (FRAP, ABTS and ORAC) were carried out. Rancimat and MDA results show that antioxidant activity was related with lipophilicity, directly in brain homogenates and inversely in the oils, in agreement with the polar paradox. Free o-diphenolic groups positively determined the activity in the oils, whereas reducing and radical-scavenging activities were related to the number of free hydroxyl moieties. BHT and α-tocopherol showed lower antioxidant activity than isochromans and HT. We conclude that HT-isochromans present significant potential as bioactive compounds.

Linear and branched alkyl-esters and amides of gallic acid and other (mono-, di- and tri-) hydroxy benzoyl derivatives as promising anti-HCV inhibitors.

Linear and branched compounds that contain two, three or five units of galloyl (3,4,5-trihydroxybenzoyl) or its isomer 2,3,4-trihydroxybenzoyl, as well as other mono- or dihydroxybenzoyl moieties have been synthesized. These molecules have been evaluated for their in vitro inhibitory effects against a wide panel of viruses showing preferential activity against HIV and HCV. Our structure-activity relationship studies demonstrated that the 2,3,4-trihydroxybenzoyl moiety provides better antiviral activities than the galloyl (3,4,5-trihydroxybenzoyl) moiety that is present in natural green tea catechins. This observation can be of interest for the further rational exploration of compounds with anti-HCV/HIV properties. The most notable finding with respect to HIV is that the tripodal compounds 43 and 45, with three 2,3,4-trihydroxybenzoyl moieties, showed higher activities than linear compounds with only one or two. With respect to HCV, the linear compounds, 52 and 41, containing a 12 polymethylene chain and two 2,3 di- or 2,3,4 tri-hydroxybenzoyl groups respectively at the ends of the molecule showed good antiviral efficiency. Furthermore, the anti-HCV activity of both compounds was observed at concentrations well below the cytotoxicity threshold. A representative member of these compounds, 41, showed that the anti-HCV activity was largely independent of the genetic make-up of the HCV subgenomic replicon and cell lines used.

Anti-HIV-1 activity of a tripodal receptor that recognizes mannose oligomers.

The glycoprotein gp120 of the HIV-1 viral envelope has a high content in mannose residues, particularly α-1,2-mannose oligomers. Compounds that interact with these high-mannose type glycans may disturb the interaction between gp120 and its (co)receptors and are considered potential anti-HIV agents. Previously, we demonstrated that a tripodal receptor (1), with a central scaffold of 1,3,5-triethylbenzene substituted with three 2,3,4-trihydroxybenzoyl groups, selectively recognizes α-1,2-mannose polysaccharides. Here we present additional studies to determine the anti-HIV-1 activity and the mechanism of antiviral activity of this compound. Our studies indicate that 1 shows anti-HIV-1 activity in the low micromolar range and has pronounced gp120 binding and HIV-1 integrase inhibitory capacity. However, gp120 binding rather than integrase inhibition seems to be the primary mechanism of antiviral activity of 1.

Synthesis and antioxidant activity of nitrohydroxytyrosol and its acyl derivatives.

A series of nitroderivatives has been synthesized from hydroxytyrosol, the natural olive oil phenol, to increase the assortment of compounds with putative effects against Parkinson's disease. Nitrohydroxytyrosyl esters were obtained from nitrohydroxytyrosol using a chemoselective one-step, high-yield, transesterification procedure. The antioxidant activity of these new series of nitrocatechols was evaluated using FRAP, ABTS, and ORAC assays and compared to that of free hydroxytyrosol. The nitro functional group induced a significant increase in the antioxidant activity of nitrohydroxytyrosol compared to hydroxytyrosol. Regarding nitroester derivatives, variable antioxidant activity was observed depending on the acyl side-chain length; shorter chains maintained or even enhanced the antioxidant activity compared to nitrohydroxytyrosol, decreasing the activity with longer side chains in keeping with their lipophilic nature. Therefore, it may be concluded that nitroester derivatives of hydroxytyrosol, which may be obtained by a simple, high-yield reaction, have elevated antioxidant activity and thus present potential bioactivity.

Comparative evaluation of the metabolic effects of hydroxytyrosol and its lipophilic derivatives (hydroxytyrosyl acetate and ethyl hydroxytyrosyl ether) in hypercholesterolemic rats.

Hydroxytyrosol (HT), a virgin olive oil phenolic phytochemical with proven health benefits, has been used to generate new lipophilic antioxidants to preserve fats and oils against autoxidation. The aim of this work is to comparatively evaluate the physiological effects of HT and its lipophilic derivatives, hydroxytyrosyl acetate (HT-Ac) and ethyl hydroxytyrosyl ether (HT-Et), in high-cholesterol fed animals. Male Wistar rats (n = 8) were fed a standard diet (C group), a cholesterol-rich diet (Chol group) or a cholesterol-rich diet supplemented with phenolic compounds (HT group, HT-Ac group and HT-Et group) for 8 weeks. Body and tissue weights, the lipid profile, redox status, and biochemical, hormonal, and inflammatory biomarkers were evaluated. Plasma levels of total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, glucose, insulin and leptin, as well as malondialdehyde in serum increased in Chol compared to C (p < 0.05). Rats fed the test diets had improved glucose, insulin, leptin and MDA levels and antioxidant capacity status, with HT-Ac being the most effective compound. The studied phenolic compounds also modulated TNF-α and IL-1ß plasma levels compared to Chol. HT-Ac and HT-Et improved adipose tissue distribution and adipokine production, decreasing MCP-1 and IL-1ß levels. Our results confirm the metabolic effects of HT, which are maintained and even improved by hydrophobic derivatives, particularly HT-Ac.

Anti-apoptotic activity of hydroxytyrosol and hydroxytyrosyl laurate.

Hydroxytyrosol (HyT) is a polyphenol primarily released in olive mill wastewater and in olive oil. In animal and cell model studies, HyT and its metabolites have strong antioxidant and antimicrobial activities, as well as beneficial effects on the cardiovascular system and in several human diseases. Differently, many researchers reported that HyT down-regulates tumor cell viability and cell cycle progression, and induces reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and apoptosis. In this study we have investigated the effects of HyT and the corresponding ester hydroxytyrosyl laurate in U937 cells, a human monocytoid cell line, and in C2C12 myoblasts, a murine proliferating muscle cell model, after apoptotic death induction. Inverted, light and transmission electron microscopy have been utilized to characterize cell death patterns. H2O2, at the concentrations known to induce apoptosis, was utilized as cell death trigger. The results obtained show that laur-HyT has a protective antioxidant effect against H2O2 treatment, greater than HyT, so having a role in the prevention of apoptotic death in normal and tumor cells. These data suggest these compounds as good candidate for novel therapeutic strategies.

Selective cytotoxic activity of new lipophilic hydroxytyrosol alkyl ether derivatives.

Recent data suggest that hydroxytyrosol, a phenolic compound of virgin olive oils, has anticancer activity. This communication reports the synthesis of decyl and hexadecyl hydroxytyrosyl ethers, as well as the cytotoxic activity of hydroxytyrosol and a series of seven hydroxytyrosol alkyl ether derivatives against A549 lung cancer cells and MRC5 non-malignant lung fibroblasts. Hydroxytyrosyl dodecyl ether (HTDE) showed the highest selective cytotoxicity, and possible mechanisms of action were investigated; results suggest that HTDE can moderately inhibit glycolysis, induce oxidative stress, and cause DNA damage in A549 cells. The combination of HTDE with the anticancer drug 5-fluorouracil induced a synergistic cytotoxicity in A549 cancer cells but not in non-malignant MRC5 cells. HTDE also displayed selective cytotoxicity against MCF7 breast cancer cells versus MCF10 normal breast epithelial cells in the 1-30 µM range. These results suggest that the cytotoxicity of HTDE is more potent and selective than that of parent compound hydroxytyrosol.

Cytoprotective effect of hydroxytyrosyl alkyl ether derivatives after oral administration to rats in a model of glucose-oxygen deprivation in brain slices.

This study was designed to determine whether the oral administration of hydroxytyrosol (HT) alkyl ether derivatives has a neuroprotective effect in rats. The animals were treated for 7 days with HT or ethyl, butyl, hexyl, octyl, and dodecyl HT ether. A method of in vitro hypoxia-reoxygenation in brain slices was used. Hexyl, octyl, and dodecyl HT derivatives reduced brain cell death (LDH efflux). Lipid peroxidation and nitrite concentrations were inhibited most by hexyl, octyl, and dodecyl derivatives. Concentrations of 3-nitrotyrosine were reduced by HT butyl, hexyl, octyl, and dodecyl ether derivatives. Interleukin-1ß was significantly reduced in brain slices from rats treated with all HT ether derivatives. LDH efflux showed a linear correlation with brain concentrations of lipid peroxides, nitrites plus nitrates, and interleukin 1ß. The reduction in oxidative and nitrosative stress and decreased production of pro-inflammatory interleukins may be the basis for the observed neuroprotective effects.

Alkyl hydroxytyrosyl ethers show protective effects against oxidative stress in HepG2 cells.

Alkyl hydroxytyrosyl ethers (methyl, ethyl, propyl, and butyl ethers) have been synthesized from hydroxytyrosol (HTy) in response to the increasing food industry demand of new lipophilic antioxidants. Having confirmed that these compounds reach portal blood partially unconjugated and thus are effectively absorbed, their potential antioxidant activity was evaluated in the human hepatocarcinoma cell line (HepG2). The effects of 0.5-10 µM alkyl hydroxytyrosyl ethers on HepG2 cell integrity and redox status were assessed as well as the protective effect against oxidative stress induced by tert-butylhydroperoxide (t-BOOH). Cell viability (Crystal violet) and cell proliferation (BrdU assay) were measured as markers of cell integrity, concentration of reduced glutathione (GSH), generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and activity of antioxidant enzymes glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and glutathione reductase (GR) as markers of redox status and determination of malondialdehyde (MDA) as a marker of lipid peroxidation. Direct treatment of HepG2 with alkyl hydroxytyrosyl ethers induced slight changes in cellular intrinsic antioxidants status, reducing ROS generation and inducing changes in GPx and GR activities. Pretreatment of HepG2 cells with alkyl hydroxytyrosyl ethers counteracted cell damage induced by t-BOOH, partially after 2 h and completely after 20 h, by increasing GSH and decreasing ROS generation, MDA levels, and antioxidant enzyme (GPx and GR) activity. According to these results the alkyl hydroxytyrosyl ethers show clear protective effects against oxidative stress, related to their lipophilic nature, that are similar to or even higher than those of their precursor, HTy.

Uptake and metabolism of new synthetic lipophilic derivatives, hydroxytyrosyl ethers, by human hepatoma HepG2 cells.

As a response to the increasing demand by the food industry for new synthetic lipophilic antioxidants, hydroxytyrosyl methyl, ethyl, propyl and butyl ethers have been synthesized from hydroxytyrosol, with similar or even higher antioxidant activity than free hydroxytyrosol. The uptake and metabolism of hydroxytyrosyl ethers with different alkyl side chain lengths (methyl, ethyl, propyl, and butyl) was studied after incubation for 2 and 18 h with HepG2 cells as a model of the human liver. LC-DAD and LC-MS were used for the identification of metabolites in culture media, cell lysates and samples hydrolyzed with beta-glucuronidase and sulfatase. In vitro conjugation reactions of pure phenols were also performed. The results show an extensive uptake and metabolism by HepG2 cells after 18 h of incubation. A direct relationship between the lipophilic nature of the compound and the biotransformation yield was observed. Similar ratio of methyl and glucuronide forms were detected after 2 h of incubation while at 18 h high amounts of methylglucuronides and glucuronide metabolites were identified together with low amounts of methyl conjugates. In conclusion, alkyl hydroxytyrosyl ethers could be metabolized by the liver, their metabolic rate being higher for the more lipophilic compounds.