Effects of natural flavones on membrane properties and citotoxicity of HeLa cells / Efeitos de flavonas naturais em propriedades de membranas e em citotoxicidade de células HeLa

The aim of this study was to determine whether eupafolin and hispidulin, flavones extracted from Eupatorium littorale Cabrera, Asteraceae, have the ability to change properties of biological membranes and promote cytotoxic effects. Eupafolin (50-200 µM) decreased approximately 30 percent the rate and total amplitude of valinomycin induced swelling and 60-100 percent the energy-dependent mitochondrial swelling. Moreover, eupafolin (200 µM) reduced 35 percent the mitochondrial permeability transition, and hispidulin did not change this parameter in any of the doses tested. The evaluation of phase transition of DMPC liposomes with the probe DPH demonstrated that hispidulin and eupafolin affect gel and fluid phase. With mitochondrial membrane as model, hispidulin increased the polarization of fluorescence when used DPH-PA probe. Eupafolin and hispidulin (100 µM) promoted a reduction of 40 percent in cellular viability of HeLa cells in 24 h. Our results suggest that eupafolin and hispidulin have cytotoxic effects that can be explained, in part, by alterations promoted on biological membranes properties and mitochondrial bioenergetics.

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar se eupafolina e hispidulina, flavonas extraídas do Eupatorium littorale Cabrera, Asteraceae, possuíam a capacidade de alterar propriedades das membranas biológicas e promover efeitos citotóxicos. Eupafolina (50-200 µM) reduziu em aproximadamente 30 por cento a velocidade e amplitude do inchamento mitocondrial induzido por valinomicina e 60-100 por cento o inchamento mitocondrial dependente de substrato. Além disso, eupafolina na dose de 200 µM reduziu a transição de permeabilidade mitocondrial em 35 por cento entretanto, a hispidulina não alterou este parâmetro em todas as doses testadas. A avaliação da transição de fase dos lipossomas de DMPC com a sonda DPH demonstrou que ambas as flavonas afetam a fase gel e fluida. Quando lipossomas de membranas mitocondriais e a sonda DPH-PA foram utilizados, houve aumento da polarização de fluorescência promovido pela hispidulina. Eupafolina e hispidulina, na dose de 100 µM, promoveram 40 por cento de redução da viabilidade de células HeLa em 24 h. Nossos resultados sugerem que eupafolina e hispidulina têm efeitos citotóxicos que podem ser explicados em parte pelas alterações promovidas por estas flavonas sobre propriedades de membranas biológicas e sobre a bioenergética mitocondrial.

Metabolism of the mesoionic compound (MI-D) by mouse liver microsome, detection of its metabolite in vivo, and acute toxicity in mice.

The mesoionic derivative 4-phenyl-5-[4-nitrocinnamoyl]-1,3,4-thiadiazolyl-2-phenylamine chloride (MI-D) has antitumoral and anti-inflammatory effects. In this study, we present aspects of its metabolism and toxicity in mice. MI-D was metabolized in vitro by liver microsome, generating a main product with a much shorter retention time than MI-D in high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis but with a spectrum similar to that of the original molecule. Mass spectrometry with electrospray ionization in positive mode analysis of the purified compound by HPLC indicated that the product of metabolism has four additional hydroxyl groups (m/z = 465) compared with MI-D (m/z = 401). The HPLC analyses of plasma and urine samples from mice treated with MI-D showed the presence of the metabolite product. The kinetic parameters K(m) (19.5 +/- 4.5 microM) and V(max) [1.5 +/- 0.4 units of fluorescence/(100 microg of microsomal protein/mL/s)] were estimated, confirming the metabolism of MI-D and indicating that the reaction follows Michaelis-Menten kinetics. Acute toxicity was established on the basis of an estimation of mean lethal dose (LD-50; 181.2 mg/kg) and histopathological analysis of animals that survived the LD-50 test. Abdominal adhesions, inflammatory foci, and formation of granulomas were observed. Altogether, the results contribute to the advancement of research in support of MI-D as a future chemotherapeutic drug.

Eupafolin: Effect on mitochondrial energetic metabolism.

This study evaluated the effects of flavone eupafolin (6-methoxy 5,7,3',4'-tetrahydroxyflavone), extracted from dry leaves of Eupatorium litoralle. Eupafolin (25-200microM) promoted inhibition of the respiratory rate in state 3, in the presence of glutamate or succinate. During succinate oxidation, it was found that only state 4 respiratory rate was stimulated approximately 30% by eupafolin (100microM) and ADP/O ratio and RCC were reduced with all doses. When glutamate was used as substrate, RCC was similarly reduced. Eupafolin caused a reduction of enzymatic activities between complexes I and III of the respiratory chain. Cytochrome c oxidase and ATPase activities were not affected. Using voltammetry cyclic analysis, eupafolin give rise to irreversible oxidation with an anodic peak potential at +0.08V (SHE). We also observed that eupafolin can undergo oxidation catalyzed by EDTA-Fe, promoting cytochrome c reduction in the presence of NADH, resulting in the production of the superoxide radical and hydrogen peroxide. All together, the results could explain the cytotoxic effects observed previously with the eupafolin.

Sensitivities of the alternative respiratory components of potato tuber mitochondria to thiol reagents and Ca2+.

Plant mitochondria differ from those of mammals, since they incorporate an alternative electron transport pathway, which branches at ubiquinol to an alternative oxidase (AOX), characteristically inhibited by salicylhydroxamic acid (SHAM). Another feature of plant mitochondria is that besides complex I (EC 1.6.5.3) they possess alternative NAD(P)H-dehydrogenases insensitive to rotenone. Many stress conditions are known to alter the expression of the alternative electron transport pathway in plant mitochondria. In the present study we investigated the effects of some thiol reagents and Ca(2+) on potato mitochondrial respiratory chain presenting different activities of the alternative respiratory components AOX and external NADH dehydrogenase, a condition induced by previous treatment of potato tubers (Solanum tuberosum L., cv. Bintje) to cold stress. The results showed that Ca(2+) presented an inhibitory effect on AOX pathway in potato mitochondria energized with NADH or succinate, which was only now observed when the cytochrome pathway was inhibited by cyanide. When the cytochrome pathway was functional, Ca(2+) stimulated the external NADH dehydrogenase. Diamide was a potent AOX inhibitor and this effect was only now observed when the cytochrome pathway was inactive, as was the case for the calcium ion. Mersalyl inhibited the externally located NADH dehydrogenase and had no effect on AOX activity. The results may represent an important function of Ca(2+) on the alternative mitochondrial enzymes NADH-DH(ext) and AOX.

Effects of deltamethrin on functions of rat liver mitochondria and on native and synthetic model membranes.

Deltamethrin (DTM) is a synthetic pyrethroid insecticide used wideworld in agriculture, home pest control, protection of foodstuff, and disease vector control. It has widespread applications in Brazilian agriculture. The effects of DTM on mitochondrial respiratory parameters and on the organization of artificial and native membranes are described. DTM (200 nmol mg(-1) protein) on isolated liver mitochondria decreased oxygen consumption of both, state III and state IV, as well as the inner mitochondrial membrane potential (Deltapsi). Analysis of segments of the respiratory chain suggested that the DTM inhibition site is located between complex II and complex III. Mitochondrial swelling, energized or driven by the K+ diffusion potential using valinomycin, were partially inhibited by DTM (200 nmol mg(-1) protein). Fluorescence polarization of DPH and DPH-PA, probing the core and outer regions, respectively, of dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine (DMPC) and native mitochondrial membranes, indicated that DTM shifts the midpoint phase transition to lower values, besides broadening the phase transition. DTM decreased the lipid order of DMPC bilayers, at temperatures lower than the transition temperature and also caused a disordering effect on native membranes. However at temperatures above the transition temperature, the pesticide increased the rigidity of the membrane. These results suggest that DTM causes perturbations in lipid-lipid and lipid-protein interactions, interferes in transport mechanisms operating at the membrane level, and causes alterations of membrane permeability and mitochondrial enzyme activities. These effects could be associated with the toxicity of deltamethrin.

Activity of isosteviol lactone on mitochondrial metabolism.

Isosteviol lactone (LAC), a lactone derivative of the diterpenic acid isosteviol (ISO) was evaluated for its effect on the oxidative metabolism of mitochondria isolated from rat liver. In this model, LAC (1 mM) depressed the phosphorylation efficiency, as shown by the decreased respiratory control coefficient (RCC) and ADP/O ratio. LAC (1 mM) inhibited NADH oxidase (45%), succinate oxidase (34%) and promoted low-level inhibitions on succinate dehydrogenase (13%), succinate-cytochrome c oxide-reductase (23%), cytochrome c oxidase (10%), and NADH dehydrogenase (13%). Glutamate dehydrogenase was also a target for LAC, as it was 85% inhibited by 1 mM LAC. Cyclic voltammetry data showed that LAC, as well as ISO, does not undergo redox reactions under current experimental conditions. LAC (0.05-0.75 mM) inhibited the swelling dependent on the glutamate oxidation, 50% of the effect occurring at 0.5 mM LAC. Swelling supported by KNO(3) and valinomycin was also inhibited over all concentrations used of LAC and ISO, the effect being of a lower intensity for LAC, suggesting that the modification of the structure of ISO by lactonization diminished its interaction with the membrane. This could contribute to attenuation of the toxic effects described for ISO on mitochondrial function, such as those on respiratory chain enzymatic complexes and phosphorylating activity.

Interference of MI-D, a new mesoionic compound, on artificial and native membranes.

MI-D (4-phenyl-5-(4-nitrocinnamoyl)-1,3,4-thiadiazolium-2-phenylamine chloride), a new mesoionic compound, decreased the rate of swelling induced by valinomycin-K+, as well as induced swelling in the presence of nigericin-K+. Shrinkage was also affected, suggesting interference with the inner mitochondrial membrane, which would affect both fluidity and elasticity. Fluorescence polarization of DPH and DPH-PA, probing the core and outer regions respectively, of the DMPC and native membranes, indicated that MI-D shifts the midpoint of phase transition to higher values and orders of the fluid phase. These alterations in membrane fluidity are thus related to MI-D effects on the energy-linked functions of mitochondria.