Design and synthesis of alkyl substituted pyridino[2,3-D]pyrimidine compounds as PI3Kα/mTOR dual inhibitors with improved pharmacokinetic properties and potent in vivo antitumor activity.

Using pyridino[2,3-D]pyrimidine as the core, total 13 pyridino[2,3-D]pyrimidine derivatives with different alkyl substituents at C2 site have been designed and synthesized to search for novel PI3Kα/mTOR dual inhibitors. Most of the target compounds showed potent mTOR inhibition activity with IC50 values ranging from single to double digit nanomole. Five target compounds exhibited pronounced PI3Kα inhibition activity. In vitro cellular assay indicated that most of the target compounds showed excellent antiproliferative activity, especially 3j whose potency against SKOV3 was 8-fold higher than the positive control AZD8055. In vitro metabolic stability study found that 3j had a comparable stability to that of AZD8055. More importantly, 3j showed better antitumor activity and pharmacokinetic properties in vivo as compared with AZD8055.

NFATC1 promotes cell growth and tumorigenesis in ovarian cancer up-regulating c-Myc through ERK1/2/p38 MAPK signal pathway.

It has been reported that nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFATC1) was up-regulated in cancers mediating malignant behaviors. However, the role of NFATC1 in ovarian cancer has not been elucidated. In the present study, we undertook to explore the clinicopathological significance of NFATC1 expression and the mechanism by which NFATC1 works in ovarian cancer. Expression status of NFATC1 was examined using immunohistochemistry. Both knockdown and re-expression of NFATC1 on ovarian cancer cells were employed to observe the effect overgrowth. It was found that NFATC1 was significantly overexpressed in ovarian cancer tissues in comparison with paired normal control tissues and that overexpression of NFATC1 was significantly associated with metastasis and poor prognosis on clinical tissue level. In in vitro ovarian cancer cell lines, we found that NFATC1 can promote proliferation up-regulating c-myc through activation of ERK1/2/p38/MAPK signal pathway. Together, the results we obtained demonstrated that NFATC1 played oncogenic role in ovarian cancer. Mechanistically, NFATC1 promoted growth of ovarian cancer cells up-regulating c-myc through activation of ERK1/2/p38/MAPK signal pathway, suggesting that NFATC1 might be used as a therapeutic target for ovarian cancer.

[Effects and safety of varying doses of guizhi fuling capsule in patients with primary dysmenorrhea: a multi-center, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical study].

To evaluate the effects and safety of varying doses of Guizhi Fuling capsule on treating primary dysmenorrhea. From August 2010 to March 2011, 240 subjects (aged 18-30) with primary dysmenorrheal, were enrolled in 8 sites. They were randomized into Guizhi Fuling capsule high dose group, low dose group and placebo control group, 80 cases in each group. These patients were treated for three consecutive menstrual cycles, then were followed up in another three consecutive menstrual cycles. Visual analogue scales (VAS) was used to determine the pain intensity. During the treatment, the high-, low-dose and placebo groups efficiency on pain relief are 68.42%, 67.57% and 47.89% respectively. Guzhi Fuling (included high- and low- dose group) significantly relieves the pain compared to placebo. In follow-up, Guzhi Fuling groups are still superior to the placebo group (73.68%, 72.97% and 53.52%). During the treatment, pain duration reduces 57.88% in high dose group, while 46.17% in low dose group, and 30.40% in placebo group. In follow-up, pain lasting time decrease 67.93%, 53.56%, 47.46%, respectively. Guizhi Fuling significantly reduces the pain duration compared to placebo and high-dose is better than low-dose. The efficacy of Guzhi Fuling (high- and low-dose) displays certain dosage-effect relationship. Among these group, no serious adverse event was reported. Guizhi Fuling capsule at high or low dose significantly relieves the pain, improves symptoms, reduces the duration of pain, and has a better overall treatment effect and long-term treatment effect in patients with primary dysmenorrhea.