ß-Caryophyllene Inhibits Oxaliplatin-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy in Mice: Role of Cannabinoid Type 2 Receptors, Oxidative Stress and Neuroinflammation.

Peripheral neuropathy is an important adverse effect caused by some chemotherapeutic agents, including oxaliplatin (OXA). OXA-induced peripheral neuropathy (OIPN) is a challenging condition due to diagnostic complexities and a lack of effective treatment. In this study, we investigated the antiallodynic effect of ß-caryophyllene (BCP), a cannabinoid type 2 (CB2) receptor agonist, in a mouse model of OIPN. BCP treatment inhibited OXA-induced mechanical and cold allodynia in both preventive and therapeutic drug treatment regimens. Experiments with the CB2 receptor agonist GW405833 confirmed the role of CB2 receptors in OIPN. The CB2 antagonist SR144528 abrogated the anti-nociceptive effect of BCP on mechanical allodynia, without impacting OXA-induced sensitivity to cold. BCP decreased neuroinflammation, as inferred from TNF, IL-1ß, IL-6, and IL-10 profiling, and also reduced ROS production, lipid peroxidation, and 4-hydroxynonenal protein adduct formation in the spinal cords of OXA-treated mice. BCP did not affect the antitumor response to OXA or its impact on blood cell counts, implying that the cytotoxicity of OXA was preserved. These results underscore BCP as a candidate drug for OIPN treatment via CB2 receptor-dependent mechanisms, and anti-inflammatory and antioxidant responses in the spinal cord.

Omics-based identification of an NRF2-related auranofin resistance signature in cancer: Insights into drug repurposing.

Auranofin is a thioredoxin reductase-1 inhibitor originally approved for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. Recently, auranofin has been repurposed as an anticancer drug, with pharmacological activity reported in multiple cancer types. In this study, we characterized transcriptional and genetic alterations associated with auranofin response in cancer. By integrating data from an auranofin cytotoxicity screen with transcriptome profiling of lung cancer cell lines, we identified an auranofin resistance signature comprising 29 genes, most of which are classical targets of the transcription factor NRF2, such as genes involved in glutathione metabolism (GCLC, GSR, SLC7A11) and thioredoxin system (TXN, TXNRD1). Pan-cancer analysis revealed that mutations in NRF2 pathway genes, namely KEAP1 and NFE2L2, are strongly associated with overexpression of the auranofin resistance gene set. By clustering cancer types based on auranofin resistance signature expression, hepatocellular carcinoma, and a subset of non-small cell lung cancer, head-neck squamous cell carcinoma, and esophageal cancer carrying NFE2L2/KEAP1 mutations were predicted resistant, whereas leukemia, lymphoma, and multiple myeloma were predicted sensitive to auranofin. Cell viability assays in a panel of 20 cancer cell lines confirmed the augmented sensitivity of hematological cancers to auranofin; an effect associated with dependence upon glutathione and decreased expression of NRF2 target genes involved in GSH synthesis and recycling (GCLC, GCLM and GSR) in these cancer types. In summary, the omics-based identification of sensitive/resistant cancers and genetic alterations associated with these phenotypes may guide an appropriate repurposing of auranofin in cancer therapy.

In vitro and in silico trichomonacidal activity of 2,8-bis(trifluoromethyl) quinoline analogs against Trichomonas vaginalis.

Trichomoniasis is a great public health burden worldwide and the increase in treatment failures has led to a need for finding alternative molecules to treat this disease. In this study, we present in vitro and in silico analyses of two 2,8-bis(trifluoromethyl) quinolines (QDA-1 and QDA-2) against Trichomonas vaginalis. For in vitro trichomonacidal activity, up to seven different concentrations of these drugs were tested. Molecular docking, biochemical, and cytotoxicity analyses were performed to evaluate the selectivity profile. QDA-1 displayed a significant effect, completely reducing trophozoites viability at 160 µM, with an IC50 of 113.8 µM, while QDA-2 at the highest concentration reduced viability by 76.9%. QDA-1 completely inhibited T. vaginalis growth and increased reactive oxygen species production and lipid peroxidation after 24 h of treatment, but nitric oxide accumulation was not observed. In addition, molecular docking studies showed that QDA-1 has a favorable binding mode in the active site of the T. vaginalis enzymes purine nucleoside phosphorylase, lactate dehydrogenase, triosephosphate isomerase, and thioredoxin reductase. Moreover, QDA-1 presented a level of cytotoxicity by reducing 36.7% of Vero cells' viability at 200 µM with a CC50 of 247.4 µM and a modest selectivity index. In summary, the results revealed that QDA-1 had a significant anti-T. vaginalis activity. Although QDA-1 had detectable cytotoxicity, the concentration needed to eliminate T. vaginalis trophozoites is lower than the CC50 encouraging further studies of this compound as a trichomonacidal agent.

Antioxidants Improve Oxaliplatin-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy in Tumor-Bearing Mice Model: Role of Spinal Cord Oxidative Stress and Inflammation.

Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy (CIPN) is a common, difficult-to-treat, and dose-limiting side effect associated with Oxaliplatin (OXA) treatment. In this study, we evaluated the effect of three antioxidants - namely N-acetylcysteine, α-lipoic acid and vitamin E - upon nociceptive parameters and antitumor efficacy of OXA in a tumor-bearing Swiss mice model. Oral treatment with antioxidants inhibited both mechanical and cold allodynia when concomitantly administrated with OXA (preventive protocol), as well as in animals with previously established CIPN (therapeutic protocol). OXA increased Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) production and lipoperoxidation, and augmented the content of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1ß and TNF-α) and expression of the astrocytic marker Gfap mRNA in the spinal cord. Antioxidants decreased ROS production and lipoperoxidation, and abolished neuroinflammation in OXA-treated animals. Toll-like receptor 4 (Tlr4) and inflammasome enzyme caspase-1/11 knockout mice treated with OXA showed reduced levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines (but not oxidative stress) in the spinal cord, which were associated with resistance to OXA-induced mechanical allodynia. Lastly, antioxidants affected neither antitumor activity nor hematological toxicity of OXA in vivo. The herein presented results are provocative for further evaluation of antioxidants in clinical management of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy. PERSPECTIVE: This study reports preventive and therapeutic efficacy of orally administrated antioxidants (N-acetylcysteine, α-lipoic-acid and Vitamin-E) in alleviating oxaliplatin-induced peripheral neuropathy in tumor-bearing mice. Antioxidants' anti-nociceptive effects are associated with inhibition of ROS-dependent neuroinflammation, and occur at no detriment of OXA antitumor activity, therefore indicating a translational potential of these compounds.

COX-2 promotes mammary adipose tissue inflammation, local estrogen biosynthesis, and carcinogenesis in high-sugar/fat diet treated mice.

Obesity is a major risk factor for breast cancer, especially in post-menopausal women. In the breast tissue of obese women, cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2)-dependent prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) production has been correlated with inflammation and local estrogen biosynthesis via aromatase. Using a mouse model of 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene/medroxyprogesterone-acetate (DMBA/MPA)-induced carcinogenesis, we demonstrated that an obesogenic diet promotes mammary tissue inflammation and local estrogen production, and accelerates mammary tumor formation in a COX-2-dependent manner. High-sugar/fat (HSF) diet augmented the levels of the pro-inflammatory mediators MCP-1, IL-6, COX-2, and PGE2 in mammary tissue, and this was accompanied by crown-like structures of breast (CLS-B) formation and aromatase/estrogen upregulation. Treatment with a COX-2 selective inhibitor, etoricoxib, decreased PGE2, IL-6, MCP-1, and CLS-B formation as well as reduced aromatase protein and estrogen levels in the mammary tissue of mice fed a HSF diet. Etoricoxib-treated mice showed increased latency and decreased incidence of mammary tumors, which resulted in prolonged animal survival when compared to HSF diet alone. Inhibition of tumor angiogenesis also seemed to account for the prolonged survival of COX-2 inhibitor-treated animals. In conclusion, obesogenic diet-induced COX-2 is sufficient to trigger inflammation, local estrogen biosynthesis, and mammary tumorigenesis.

Antiparasitic activity of furanyl N-acylhydrazone derivatives against Trichomonas vaginalis: in vitro and in silico analyses.

BACKGROUND: Trichomonas vaginalis is the causative agent of trichomoniasis, which is one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases worldwide. Trichomoniasis has a high incidence and prevalence and is associated with serious complications such as HIV transmission and acquisition, pelvic inflammatory disease and preterm birth. Although trichomoniasis is treated with oral metronidazole (MTZ), the number of strains resistant to this drug is increasing (2.5-9.6%), leading to treatment failure. Therefore, there is an urgent need to find alternative drugs to combat this disease. METHODS: Herein, we report the in vitro and in silico analysis of 12 furanyl N-acylhydrazone derivatives (PFUR 4, a-k) against Trichomonas vaginalis. Trichomonas vaginalis ATCC 30236 isolate was treated with seven concentrations of these compounds to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50). In addition, compounds that displayed anti-T. vaginalis activity were analyzed using thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) assay and molecular docking. Cytotoxicity analysis was also performed in CHO-K1 cells. RESULTS: The compounds PFUR 4a and 4b, at 6.25 µM, induced complete parasite death after 24 h of exposure with IC50 of 1.69 µM and 1.98 µM, respectively. The results showed that lipid peroxidation is not involved in parasite death. Molecular docking studies predicted strong interactions of PFUR 4a and 4b with T. vaginalis enzymes, purine nucleoside phosphorylase, and lactate dehydrogenase, while only PFUR 4b interacted in silico with thioredoxin reductase and methionine gamma-lyase. PFUR 4a and 4b led to a growth inhibition (< 20%) in CHO-K1 cells that was comparable to the drug of choice, with a promising selectivity index (> 7.4). CONCLUSIONS: Our results showed that PFUR 4a and 4b are promising molecules that can be used for the development of new trichomonacidal agents for T. vaginalis.

2'-Hydroxychalcones as an alternative treatment for trichomoniasis in association with metronidazole.

The treatment for trichomoniasis, based on 5'-nitroimidazol agents, has been presenting failures related to allergic reactions, side effects, and the emergence of resistant isolates. There are no alternative drugs approved for the treatment of these cases; thus, the search for new active molecules is necessary. In this scenario, chalcones have been extensively studied for their promising biological activities. Here, we presented the synthesis of three hydroxychalcones (3a, b, and c), in vitro and in silico analyses against Trichomonas vaginalis. The in vitro biological evaluation showed that hydroxychalcone 3c presented anti-T. vaginalis activity, with complete death in 12 h of incubation at minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 100 µM. 3c showed a dose-dependent cytotoxicity against mammalian VERO cell line, but the association of 3c at 12.5 µM and metronidazole (MTZ) at 40 µM showed 95.31% activity against T. vaginalis trophozoites after 24 h of exposure and did not affect the VERO cell growth, appearing to be a good alternative. In silico analysis by molecular docking showed that 3c could inhibit the activity of TvMGL (methionine gamma-lyase), TvLDH (lactate dehydrogenase), and TvPNP (purine nucleoside phosphorylase) affecting the T. vaginalis survival and also suggesting a different mechanism of action from MTZ. Therefore, these results propose that hydroxychalcones are promising anti-T. vaginalis agents and must be considered for further investigations regarding trichomoniasis treatment.

Chemical composition, immunostimulatory, cytotoxic and antiparasitic activities of the essential oil from Brazilian red propolis.

Most studies of Brazilian red propolis have explored the composition and biological properties of its ethanolic extracts. In this work, we chemically extracted and characterized the essential oil of Brazilian red propolis (EOP) and assessed its adjuvant, antiparasitic and cytotoxic activities. The chemical composition of EOP was analyzed using gas chromatography with mass spectrometry (GC-MS). EOP was tested for in vitro activity against Trichomonas vaginalis (ATCC 30236 isolate); trophozoites were treated with different concentrations of EOP (ranging from 25 to 500 µg/mL) in order to establish the MIC and IC50 values. A cytotoxicity assay was performed in CHO-K1 cells submitted to different EOP concentrations. BALB/c mice were used to test the adjuvant effect of EOP. The animals were divided in 3 groups and inoculated as follows: 0.4 ng/kg BW EOP (G1); 50 µg of rCP40 protein (G2); or a combination of 0.4 ng/kg BW EOP and 50 µg of rCP40 (G3). Total IgG, IgG1 and IgG2a levels were assessed by ELISA. The major constituent compounds of EOP were methyl eugenol (13.1%), (E)-ß-farnesene (2.50%), and δ-amorphene (2.3%). Exposure to EOP inhibited the growth of T. vaginalis, with an IC50 value of 100 µg/mL of EOP. An EOP concentration of 500 µg/mL was able to kill 100% of the T. vaginalis trophozoites. The EOP kinetic growth curve showed a 36% decrease in trophozoite growth after a 12 h exposure to 500 µg/mL of EOP, while complete parasite death was induced at 24 h. With regard to CHO-K1 cells, the CC50 was 266 µg/mL, and 92% cytotoxicity was observed after exposure to 500 µg/mL of EOP. Otherwise, a concentration of 200 µg/mL of EOP was able to reduce parasite proliferation by 70% and was not cytotoxic to CHO-K1 cells. As an adjuvant, a synergistic effect was observed when EOP was combined with the rCP40 protein (G3) in comparison to the administration of each component alone (G1 and G2), resulting in higher concentrations of IgG, IgG1 and IgG2a. EOP is constituted by biologically active components with promising antiparasitic and immunostimulatory activities and can be investigated for the formulation of new vaccines or trichomonacidal drugs.