Facile synthesis and cytotoxicity of substituted uracil-1'(N)-acetic acid and 4-pyridone-1'(N)-acetic acid esters of 20(S)-camptothecins.

A series of novel substituted uracil-1'(N)-acetic acid esters (5-9) and 4-pyridone-1'(N)-acetic acid esters (10-11) of 20(S)-camptothecins (CPTs) have been synthesized by the acylation method. All of these new esters were assayed for in vitro cytotoxicity against five human cancer cell lines A549, Bel7402, BGC-823, HCT-8 and A2780. The in vitro bioassay results showed that all the synthesized compounds 5-11 had cytotoxities that were higher than TPT and comparable to CPT on these five tumor cell lines, some of them even showed comparable or superior cytotoxic activity to CPT. The in vitro data exhibited the cytotoxicity of the ester depended on that of its parent compound. The ester 5, 6, 8, 10, 11 even possessed the cytotoxity activity comparable to or even a little better than CPT on A549, HCT-8 and A2780. The compound 11 had the same level of cytoxity on Bel7402 as that of CPT. Here the synthesis and the in vitro antitumor evaluation of a series of novel 20-O-linked substituted uracil-1'(N)-acetic acid and 4-pyridone-1'(N)-acetic acid esters derivatives of CPTs are reported.

TRPC6 modulates adhesion of neutrophils to airway epithelial cells via NF-κB activation and ICAM-1 expression with ozone exposure.

Ozone (O3) is a major component of air pollution, which has been associated with airway inflammation characterized by the influx of neutrophils in asthmatic subjects. Canonical transient receptor potential 6 (TRPC6) channel is recently identified as a target of oxidative stress which is involved in airway inflammation. However, the regulatory role of TRPC6 in airway epithelial cells and neutrophils has not yet been illuminated in detail. In this study, we investigated the role of TRPC6 in neutrophil adhesion to airway epithelial cells exposed to O3 in vivo and in vitro approaches. Using transgenic mice, the results showed that TRPC6-deficiency attenuated O3-induced neutrophil recruitment to airway epithelial cells and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) expression. In vitro, O3 induced ICAM-1 expression and neutrophil adhesion to 16HBE cells (human airway epithelial cell line) and which were reduced by both TRPC6 silencing short hairpin RNA (shRNA) and TRPC6 inhibitor Larixyl Acetate (LA). We also confirmed that TRPC6-dependent Ca2+ entry and NF-κB activation in 16HBE cells were required for ICAM-1-mediated neutrophil adhesion exposed to O3. In conclusion, this study demonstrated the contribution of TRPC6 to O3-induced neutrophil adhesion to airway epithelial cells via NF-κB activation and ICAM-1 expression, which may provide new potential concepts for preventing and treating air pollutant-related inflammatory lung diseases.

TRPC6 contributes to LPS-induced inflammation through ERK1/2 and p38 pathways in bronchial epithelial cells.

receptor potential canonical (TRPC) channels are presently an emerging target for airway disorders. Recent evidence has indicated that TRPC6 as a member of the TRPC family plays an important role in airway inflammation, but its precise function in bronchial epithelial cells remains unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of TRPC6 in Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)-mediated inflammation in human bronchial epithelial cells stimulated by endotoxin [lipopolysaccharide (LPS)]. Hyp9 is a simplified phloroglucinol derivative of hyperforin that highly selectively activates TRPC6 channels. The results show that the activation of TRPC6 by Hyp9 induced the production of interleukin (IL)-8 and IL-6. LPS was also able to induce the release of IL-8 and IL-6, which was significantly aggravated by Hyp9 and reduced by knockdown of TRPC6. Treatment with LPS not only chronically induced the expression of TRPC6 mRNA and protein in a TLR4-dependent manner but also acutely increased Ca2+ influx through TRPC6 channels. In addition, LPS-induced overexpression of TRPC6 and Ca2+ influx were associated with the phosphorylation of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) and Akt. Importantly, TRPC6 was required for the activation of ERK1/2, p38, and NF-κB. In conclusion, these data reveal that LPS induced the overexpression of TRPC6 and TRPC6-dependent Ca2+ influx via the TLR4/PI3K/Akt pathway resulting in Ca2+ mobilization, which subsequently promoted the activation of ERK1/2, p38, and NF-κB and the inflammatory response in bronchial epithelial cells.

Synthesis and antitumor activity of novel substituted uracil-1'(N)-acetic acid ester derivatives of 20(S)-camptothecins.

A series of novel substituted uracil-1'(N)-acetic acid esters (6-20) of camptothecins (CPTs) were synthesized by the acylation method. These new compounds were evaluated for in vitro antitumor activity against tumor cell lines, A549, Bel7402, BGC-823, HCT-8 and A2780. In vitro results showed that most of the derivatives exhibited comparable or superior cytotoxicity compare to CPT (1) and topotecan (TPT, 2), with 12 and 13 possessing the best efficacy. Four compounds, 9, 12, 13 and 16, were selected to be evaluated for in vivo antitumor activity against H22, BGC-823 and Bel-7402 in mice. In vivo testing results indicated that 12 and 13 had antitumor activity against mouse liver carcinoma H22 close to Paclitaxel and cyclophosphamide. 12 had similar antitumor activity against human gastric carcinoma BGC-823 in nude mice compared to irinotecan (3) and possessed better antitumor activity against human hepatocarcinoma Bel-7402 in nude mice than 2. It is also discovered that 12 showed a similar mechanism but better inhibitory activity on topoisomerase I (Topo I) compared to 2. These findings indicate that 20(S)-O-fluorouracil-1'(N)-acetic acid ester derivative of CPTs, 12, could be developed as an antitumor drug candidate for clinical trial.

[N-acetyl-L-cysteine reduces the ozone-induced lung inflammation response in mice].

In this study, we investigated the protective effect of the antioxidant N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC) on the lung inflammation caused by ozone (O3) exposure in mice. Thirty-two C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into control group, O3 group, O3+NAC group and NAC group. Mice were exposed to O3 (1.0 ppm) or fresh air for 3 h on the day 1, day 3 and day 5, respectively. NAC (100 mg/kg) was intraperitoneally applied to the mice 1 h before each exposure. At 24 h after the 3-time exposure, the alveolar wall structure was severely damaged and the infiltrated inflammatory cells were apparent perivascularly and peribronchiolarly. Significant increases in the total white blood cell count, macrophage, lymphocyte and neutrophil counts, as well as total protein concentration were observed in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) (P < 0.05). The IL-6, IL-8 (P < 0.01) and MDA levels (P < 0.05) in the lung homogenates were elevated coherently. Administration of NAC could attenuate the alveolar wall structure damage induced by O3 exposure and reduce the amount of infiltrated inflammatory cells, total and differential leukocyte counts (P < 0.05), as well as the IL-6, IL-8 (P < 0.01) and MDA release (P < 0.05). Western blotting results showed that the O3 exposure up-regulated the p38 MAPK and NF-κB p65 protein expression in the lung tissue of mice (P < 0.05), which could be alleviated by NAC (P < 0.05). These results indicated that NAC could protect against O3-induced pulmonary inflammation in mice. The beneficial effect of NAC might be related with the p38 MAPK and NF-κB p65 signal pathway.

[Experimental study on antitumor effects of Shen Qi Jin Kang (SQJK)].

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE: SHEN QI JIN KANG (SQJK) capsule is a complex preparation, consisting of effective components extracted from radix astragali, ginseng, curcuma, etc. It has been demonstrated to be able to decrease tumor volume, increase life quality and prolong survival time in clinic application. The study was to investigate the antitumor effects of SQJK capsule in vivo and in vitro, and further explore the possible mechanisms. METHODS: The proliferation of cancer cells treated with SQJK was measured by MTT assay in twelve cell lines; cell apoptosis was observed under an electric microscopic and detected by flow cytometry in MCF-7 and MA891 cells; altered telomerase activity in A549 cells was examined by a telomerase activity detection kit. Furthermore, the inhibitory effect of SQJK on tumors was also surveyed in vivo by using mice and nude mice models bearing transplanted tumors. RESULTS: Inhibitory concentration 50% (IC(50)) of SQJK on A549, U251, MCF-7, Ketr-3, EJ, and A2780 cells was 30.954 microg/ml, 31.746 microg/ml, 37.220 microg/ml, 40.366 microg/ml, 41.398 microg/ml, and 45.083 microg/ml, respectively. Typical sub-G1 peaks, indicating the occurrence of apoptosis, were revealed in MA891and MCF-7 cells treated with SQJK. Morphological changes including cell shrinkage and condensation of chromosomes were observed. The telomerase activity of A549 was inhibited after 48 h of SQJK treatment. SQJK 1.8 g/kg inhibited the weights of transplanted tumors (MA891, H22, S180 in mice and PC-3 (M), MCF-7 and Ketr-3 in nude mice) by 50.84%, 48.91%, 40.88%, 62.50%, 47.83% and 30.06%, while SQJK 3.6 g/kg inhibited the weights by 56.49%, 59.62%, 55.70%, 70.76%, 58.66% and 50.18%, respectively. CONCLUSION: SQJK has demonstrated antitumor bioactivity both in vitro and in vivo, which may be related to its effects of inducing apoptosis and decreasing telomerase activity.

Resveratrol induces apoptosis and differentiation in acute promyelocytic leukemia (NB4) cells.

Resveratrol (3,5,4'-trihydroxy-trans-stilbene) is a naturally occurring phytoalexin found in grapes and wine, and has been reported to exert a variety of important pharmacological effects. We have investigated the activity of resveratrol on proliferation and differentiation of the acute promyelocytic leukemia cell line NB4. The growth inhibitory properties of resveratrol appear to be due to its induction of apoptotic cell death, as determined by morphological changes, DNA fragmentation, increased proportion of the subdiploid cell population and decreased mitochondrial transmembrane potential (Deltapsi(m)). Colorimetric assay for activity of caspase-3 showed an obvious increase in caspase-3 activity in cells after treatment with resveratrol. However, the expression levels of protein Bcl-2 and Bax show no significant change in response to resveratrol treatment. These results suggest that apoptosis of NB4 cells induced by resveratrol requires caspase-3 activation and is related to the mitochondrial transmembrane potential. The combination of resveratrol and all-tran-retinoic acid (ATRA) induced 100% of the NB4 cells to become NBT-positive, whereas only a small part of cells became positive for NBT after a similar exposure to either resveratrol or ATRA alone. Thus, resveratrol may be useful in treating acute promyelocytic leukemia.

Synthesis and antitumor activity of A-ring modified hexacyclic analogues of camptothecin.

AIM: To improve the biological activity of A-ring modified analogues of camptothecin. METHODS: A-ring modified camptothecins were synthesized from 10-hydroxycamptothecin or 7-ethyl-10-hydroxycamptothecin (SN-38) in three or four steps. Their cytotoxicity was evaluated using MTY assay, and their in vivo antitumnor activity against mouse liver cancer H22 was tested. Results Five hexacyclic camptothecins (6a, 6b, 6c, 7a and 7b) are target compounds, and ten camptothecin derivatives are new compounds. CONCLUSION: The modification of a 1,4-oxazine-2-one ring fused with positions 9 and 10 of A-ring will reduce the antitumor activity of camptothecins.

Anti-angiogenic activity of resveratrol, a natural compound from medicinal plants.

Resveratrol (3,4',5-trihydroxy-trans-stilbene), a naturally occurring phytoalexin found in grapes and wine, possesses cancer-preventive activity. Angiogenesis is a crucial step in the growth and metastasis of cancers. We have investigated the effect of resveratrol on angiogenesis in vitro and ex vivo, and found that resveratrol directly inhibited human umbilical vein endothelial cell growth and decreased the gelatinolytic activities of matrix metalloproteinase-2. Tube formation was inhibited by treatment with resveratrol after plating endothelial cells on Matrigel. Resveratrol treatment also inhibited endothelial cell attachment to basement membrane components fibronectin and laminin, and displays similar behavior on cell chemotaxis. In addition, resveratrol has been found to be an angiogenesis inhibitor in the rat aorta matrix culture model. Therefore, inhibition of angiogenesis associated with cancer may be a novel mechanism for the anticancer activity of resveratrol.

[Chemopreventive effect of resveratrol to cancer].

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE: Carcinogenesis is a complex process and at least 3 stages, including initiation, promotion, and progression, have been proposed in the process of carcinogenesis. Resveratrol has attracted considerable attention due to its low toxicity and unique chemical structure. This study was designed to test chemopreventive effect of resveratrol to cancer using various animal models. METHODS: Ames assay and micronucleus formation assay were used to test the antimutagenic activities of resveratrol. Croton oil-induced enhancement of ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) activities of dorsal epidermis cells in mouse and mouse ear edema model were used to investigate the anti-promotion effect of resveratrol. In addition,7,12-dimenthylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA)/croton oil-induced mouse skin tumor model was used to evaluate chemopreventive effect of resveratrol to cancer in vivo. RESULTS: In Ames test,100 microg/plate of resveratrol exhibited 42.2% of inhibition on the reversion of Salmonella typhimurium TA100 induced by methylmethansulfonate, and 200 microg/plate of resveratrol exhibited 91.8% of inhibition on the reversion induced by benzopyrene. Pretreatment of resveratrol prevented cyclophosphamide (CTX)-induced micronucleus formation of polychromatic erythrocytes of mice bone marrow in dose-dependent manner. Mice treated with 30 mg/kg of resveratrol for 6 days before croton oil exposure have palliative ear edema. Treatment of 180 mg/kg resveratrol for 3 days caused 69.3% decrease of ODC activities in croton oil-induced dorsal epidermis. It was shown that resveratrol could inhibit DMBA/croton oil-induced mouse skin papilloma, which includes prolonging the latent period of tumor occurrence, decreasing the incidence of papilloma, and reducing tumor number per mouse in dose-dependent manner. CONCLUSION: Resveratrol has the ability of anti-mutation and anti-promotion of cancer and merit further studies as a potential cancer chemopreventive agent.

Synthesis and antitumor activity of 20-O-linked nitrogen-based camptothecin ester derivatives.

A series of nitrogen-based 20S-hydroxyl camptothecin ester derivatives were prepared. 3-Aminopropionate of camptothecin was found more cytotoxic in vitro on several human tumor cell lines than 3-amidopropionate of camptothecin. Ester 16 showed best antitumor activity in vivo and in vitro in all esters we prepared.

[Experimental studies on the apoptosis of HL-60 cells induced by Brucea javanica oil emulsion].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the inducing effect of Brucea javanica on the apoptpsis of HL-60 cells. METHOD: HL-60 cells were treated with Brucea javanica 1:100, 1:40, 1:20 (v/v) respectively for 6 h and DNA agarose gel electrophoresis, flow cytometry, fluorescence microscope, electron microscope were used to observe the apoptosis inducing effect of Brucea javanica. RESULT: DNA ladder was seen in the 1:40 group. The apoptosis cell percentages of 1:40 and 1:20 group were 86.8% and 97% respectively. Cells of 1:40 group showed obvious apoptosis character under fluorescence microscope. Cells were induced apoptosis in 1:20 and 1:40 Brucea javanica under electron microscope. CONCLUSION: 1:20 and 1:40 Brucea Javanica showed obvious apoptosis inducing effect of HL-60.