Methods to Detect Nitric Oxide and Reactive Nitrogen Species in Biological Sample.

Oxidative stress has been implicated in various human diseases, including cancer, mainly through the generation of reactive nitrogen species (RNS), such as nitric oxide (NO), nitrite, nitroxyl, s-nitrosothiols, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) such as peroxides, superoxide, and hydroxyl radicals. NO being the main player among RNS induced altered cellular molecules and metabolisms, thus making it important to understand and detect the generation of NO in biological samples. There are many methods for direct and indirect detection of NO; out of these most commonly used are spectrophotometric-based Griess assay and fluorescence probe-based assays. In this chapter, we summarize these routinely used methods to detect NO and various challenges associated with these methods.

A short review: Doxorubicin and its effect on cardiac proteins.

Doxorubicin (DOX) is a boon for cancer-suffering patients. However, the undesirable effect on health on vital organs, especially the heart, is a limiting factor, resulting in an increased number of patients with cardiac dysfunction. The present review focuses on the contractile machinery and associated factors, which get affected due to DOX toxicity in chemo-patients for which they are kept under life-long investigation for cardiac function. DOX-induced oxidative stress disrupts the integrity of cardiac contractile muscle proteins that alter the rhythmic mechanism and oxygen consumption rate of the heart. DOX is an oxidant and it is further discussed that oxidative stress prompts the damage of contractile components and associated factors, which include Ca2+ load through Ca2+ ATPase, SERCA, ryanodine receptor-2, phospholamban, and calsequestrin, which ultimately results in left ventricular ejection and dilation. Based on data and evidence, the associated proteins can be considered as clinical markers to develop medications for patients. Even with the advancement of various diagnosing tools and modified drugs to mitigate DOX-induced cardiotoxicity, the risk could not be surmounted with survivors of cancer.

Glycyrrhiza glabra (Licorice) root extract attenuates doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity via alleviating oxidative stress and stabilising the cardiac health in H9c2 cardiomyocytes.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Doxorubicin (DOX) is an effective anti-neoplastic drug, however; it has downside effects on cardiac health and other vital organs. The herbal remedies used in day to day life may have a beneficial effect without disturbing the health of the vital organs. Glycyrrhiza glabra L. is a ligneous perennial shrub belonging to Leguminosae/Fabaceae/Papilionaceae family growing in Mediterranean region and Asia and widespread in Turkey, Italy, Spain, Russia, Syria, Iran, China, India and Israel. Commonly known as mulaithi in north India, G. glabra has glycyrrhizin, glycyrrhetic acid, isoliquiritin, isoflavones, etc., which have been reported for several pharmacological activities such as anti-demulcent, anti-ulcer, anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory and anti-diabetic. AIM OF THE STUDY: The objective of the present study is to investigate the interaction between the molecular factors like PPAR-α/γ and SIRT-1 during cardiac failure arbitrated by DOX under in vitro conditions and role of Glycyrrhiza glabra (Gg) root extract in alleviating these affects. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In the present study, we have examined the DOX induced responses in H9c2 cardiomyocytes and investigated the role of phytochemical Glycyrrhiza glabra in modulating these affects. MTT assay was done to evaluate the cell viability, Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS)/Reactive Nitrogen Species (RNS) levels, mitochondrial ROS, mitochondrial membrane potential was estimated using fluorescent probes. The oxidative stress in terms of protein carbonylation, lipid peroxidation and DNA damage was detected via spectrophotometric methods and immune-fluorescence imaging. The cardiac markers and interaction between SIRT-1 and PPAR-α/γ was measured using Real-Time PCR, Western blotting and Co-immunoprecipitation based studies. RESULTS: The Glycyrrhiza glabra (Gg) extracts maintained the membrane integrity and improved the lipid homeostasis and stabilized cytoskeletal element actin. Gg phytoextracts attenuated aggravated ROS level, repaired the antioxidant status and consequently, assisted in repairing the DNA damage and mitochondrial function. Further, the expression of hypertrophic markers in the DOX treated cardiomyocytes reconciled the expression factors both at the transcriptional and translational levels after Gg treatment. SIRT-1 mediated pathway and its downstream activator PPARs are significant in maintaining the cellular functions. It was observed that the Gg extract allows regaining the nuclear SIRT-1 and PPAR-γ level which was otherwise reduced with DOX treatment in H9c2 cardiomyocytes. The co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP) documented that SIRT-1 interacts with PPAR-α in the untreated control H9c2 cardiomyocytes whereas DOX treatment interferes and diminishes this interaction however the Gg treatment maintains this interaction. Knocking down SIRT-1 also downregulated expression of PPAR-α and PPAR-γ in DOX treated cells and Gg treatment was able to enhance the expression of PPAR-α and PPAR-γ in SIRT-1 knocked down cardiomyocytes. CONCLUSIONS: The antioxidant property of Gg defend the cardiac cells against the DOX induced toxicity via; 1) reducing the oxidative stress, 2) maintaining the mitochondrial functions, 3) regulating lipid homeostasis and cardiac metabolism through SIRT-1 pathway, and 4) conserving the cardiac hypertrophy and hence preserving the cardiomyocytes health. Therefore, Gg can be recommended as a healthy supplement with DOX towards cancer therapeutics associated cardiotoxicity.

Hydrogen peroxide-induced oxidative stress and its impact on innate immune responses in lung carcinoma A549 cells.

The immune responses, involved in recognition of cancer-specific antigens, are of particular interest as this may provide major leads towards developing new vaccines and antibody therapies against cancer. An effective treatment for cancer is still a challenge because there are many mechanisms through which the tumor cells can escape the host immune surveillance. Oxidative stress or respiratory burst which is host's mechanism to kill the foreign particles is used as defense mechanism by the tumor cells. The tumor cells uses this oxidative stress to form neo-antigens which in turn makes them undetectable and can escape the host immune surveillance. The human lung carcinoma (A549) cells were treated using 100 µM H2O2 to induce oxidative stress, and the extent oxidative modifications were detected at the level of membrane and proteins in form of lipid peroxidation and protein carbonyls respectively. Nitric oxide and iNOS levels were estimated by Griess assay and immunostaining, respectively. The oxidized tumor proteins were visualized on one-dimensional SDS-PAGE. The H2O2-treated (15 min and 24 h post-treatment) A549 cells were co-cultured with THP-1 cells to subsequently visualize the phagocytic activity by Giemsa and CFSE staining to understand the role of neo (oxidized) tumor antigens in eliciting alteration in immune responses. A significant decline in the percent engulfed cells and decrease in the levels of reactive oxygen species was observed. Immunohistostaining for p47phox, which is an important indicator of the oxygen-dependent phagocytosis, showed a decrease in its levels when cells were treated for only 15 min with 100 µM H2O2, whereas at 24-h post-treatment there was no change in the p47phox levels. The study has established oxidative stress as a new pathogenic mechanism of carcinogenesis and will open new avenues for clinical intervention, adjunct therapies for cancer, and its control at the initial stage by targeting these neo-antigens.

Identification of novel indole based heterocycles as selective estrogen receptor modulator.

In the present study, we have designed and synthesized indole derivatives by coalescing the indole nucleus with chromene carbonitrile and dihydropyridine nucleus. Two compounds 5c and 6d were selected from series I and II after sequential combinatorial library generation, docking, absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion (ADME) filtering, anti-proliferative activity, cytotoxicity, and ER-α competitor assay kit by utilizing estrogen receptor-α (ER-α) dominant T47D BC cells line and PBMCs (Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells). Cell imaging experiment suggested that both the compounds successfully cross cellular biomembrane and accumulate in nuclear, cytoplasmic and plasma membrane region. Semiquantitative RT-PCR and Western blotting experiments further supported that both compounds reduced the expression of mRNA and receptor protein of ER-α, thereby preventing downstream transactivation and signaling pathway in T47D cells line. Current findings imply that 5c and 6d represent novel ER-α antagonists and may be used in the development of chemotherapy for the management of BC.

Design, synthesis and biological evaluation of novel indole-benzimidazole hybrids targeting estrogen receptor alpha (ER-α).

In the course of efforts to develop novel selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs), indole-benzimidazole hybrids were designed and synthesised by fusing the indole nucleus with benzimidazole. All the compounds were first inspected for anti-proliferative activity using ER-α responsive T47D breast cancer cell lines and ER-α binding assay. From this study, two representative bromo substituted compounds 5f and 8f were found to be most active and thus were escalated for gene expression studies for targeting ER-α. Cell imaging experiment clearly suggest that compounds were able to cross cell membrane and accumulate thus causing cytotoxicity. RT-PCR and Western blotting experiments further supported that both compounds altered the expression of mRNA and receptor protein of ER-α, thereby preventing the further transactivation and signalling pathway in T47D cells lines. Structural investigation from induced fit simulation study suggest that compound 5f and 8f bind in antagonistic conformation similar to bazedoxifene by extensive hydrogen bonding and Van der Waals forces. All these results strongly indicate that compound 5f and 8f represents a novel potent ER-α antagonist properties and will proved promising in the discovery of SERM for the management of breast cancer.

Role of immune system in tumor progression and carcinogenesis.

Tumor micro-environment has potential to customize the behavior of the immune cell according to their need. In immune-eliminating phase, immune cells eliminate transformed cells but after tumor establishment innate and adaptive immune cells synergistically provide shelter as well as fulfill their requirement that helps in progression. In between eliminating and establishment phase, equilibrium and escaping phase regulate the immune cells response. During immune-escaping, (1) the antigenic response generated is either inadequate, or focused entirely on tolerance, and (2) immune response generated is specific and effective, but the tumor skips immune recognition. In this review, we are discussing the critical role of immune cells and their cytokines before and after the establishment of tumor which might play a critical role during immunotherapy.

Design, synthesis and biological evaluation of novel indole-xanthendione hybrids as selective estrogen receptor modulators.

Ground breaking clinical therapeutic advances in the treatment of breast cancer (BC) is the introduction of selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs). We have expeditiously designed and synthesized indole-xanthendione hybrids by coalescing the indole nucleus with xanthendione. All the compounds were first screened for anti-proliferative activity, cytotoxicity and ER-α binding affinity by utilizing ER-α dominant T47D BC cell lines, PBMCs and ER-α competitor assay kit. From this study, two representative compounds 6e and 6f showing most promising activity were advanced for gene expression studies for targeting ER-α. Cell imaging experiment undoubtedly indicate that both the compounds were able to cross cellular bio membrane and accumulate thus instigating cytotoxicity. RT-PCR and Western blotting experiments further strengthened that both compounds altered the expression of mRNA and receptor protein of ER-α, thereby forestalling downstream transactivation and signalling pathway in T47D cells line. Structural investigation from induced fit simulation study suggest that indole moiety of the compounds 6e and 6f helps in the anchoring of the xanthendione moiety in the hydrophobic region of the cavity thus enabling the compound to bind in antagonistic conformation similar to bazedoxifene by extensive hydrogen bonding and Van der Waals forces. All these finding collectively imply that compound 6e and 6f represents a novel potent ER-α antagonist and in the development of SERMs for the management of BC.