SYUNZ-16, a newly synthesized alkannin derivative, induces tumor cells apoptosis and suppresses tumor growth through inhibition of PKB/AKT kinase activity and blockade of AKT/FOXO signal pathway.

Alkannin is the major bioactive compound of Arnebia euchroma roots, which is used in many therapeutic remedies in Chinese traditional medicine. SYUNZ-16 is a new derivative of alkannin. In this study, anticancer effects of SYUNZ-16 on human lung adenocarcinoma cell line GLC-82 and human hepatocarcinoma cell line Hep3B were tested in vitro. The results showed SYUNZ-16 could obviously inhibit the proliferation of these cancer cell lines via induction of apoptosis, with the evidence of increasing AnnexinV-positive cells and cleaved caspase-3 and PARP fragments. More importantly, we found that SYUNZ-16 could inhibit AKT activity in cell-free system. Treatment of cancer cells with SYUNZ-16 decreased the phosphorylation of AKT. Additionally, SYUNZ-16 partially attenuated the phosphorylation levels of FKHR and FKHRL1 in a dose-dependent and time-dependent fashion, and led to an increase in the nuclear accumulation of exogenous FKHR, and upregulated the mRNA expression of Bim and TRADD in cancer cells. Further study showed that constitutively activated AKT1 transfection could reduce apoptosis induction mediated by SYUNZ-16. The in vivo experiments showed that SYUNZ-16 had inhibitory effects on S-180 sarcoma implanted to mice. And in GLC-82 xenograft models, SYUNZ-16 at 20 mg/kg/qod remarkably inhibited the tumor growth with the T/C value of 45.3%. Taken together, SYUNZ-16 might be a potent inhibitor of AKT signaling pathway in tumor cells. These data provide evidence for the development of SYUNZ-16 as a potential antitumor drug candidate for further research and development.

Apoptosis induced by DNA primase inhibitor 3,3'-diethyl-9-methylthia-carbocyanine iodide in human leukemia HL-60 cells.

AIM: To investigate apoptosis induced by 3,3'-diethyl-9-methylthia-carbocyanine iodide (DMTCCI), an inhibitor of DNA primase found in our previous study, and the mechanism of DMTCCI in human myelogenous leukemia HL-60 cells. METHODS: HL-60 cells were cultured in RPMI-1640 medium and treated with different concentrations of DMTCCI. MTT assay was used to detect growth inhibition. Flow cytometry and DNA ladders were used to detect apoptosis. Western blotting was used to observe the expression of survivin, Bcl-xL, Bad, Bax, Bcl-2, caspase-9, caspase-3, caspase-6, PARP, DFF45 and lamin B protein. Caspase-3 activity was measured by ApoAlert Caspase-3 Assay Kit. RESULTS: DMTCCI inhibited proliferation of human leukemia HL-60 cells with IC50 value of 0.24 micromol x L(-1). The results of flow cytometry and DNA ladders showed that DMTCCI could induce apoptosis of HL-60 cells. The expression levels of protein survivin and Bcl-xL were down-regulated, Bad and Bax were up-regulated, while Bcl-2 protein had no change in response to DMTCCI treatment in HL-60 cells. Treatment of HL-60 cells with DMTCCI induced the proteolytic cleavage of caspase-9, caspase-3, caspase-6, PARP, DFF45 and lamin B protein. Caspase-3 activity apparently increased at 3 h and reached a peak at 12 h after exposure to 1 micromol x L(-1) of DMTCCI in HL-60 cells. CONCLUSION: DMTCCI inhibited proliferation and induced apoptosis of human leukemia HL-60 cells. Bcl-2 family proteins, survivin and caspases family proteins might play a role in the apoptosis process induced by DMTCCI.

[Antitumor effect and mechanism of shikonin derivative SYUNZ-7].

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE: Natural shikonin compounds and their derivatives have cytotoxicity and antitumor effects. This study was to explore in vitro and in vivo antitumor effects of SYUNZ-7 [2 or 3, 11-bis(phenylsulfanyl)-6-isohexenylnaphthazarin] and the mechanisms. METHODS: In vitro antiproliferation effects of SYUNZ-7 on human lung adenocarcinoma cell line GLC-82, human nasopharyngeal cancer cell line CNE2, human oral cavity cancer cell line KB, human gastric cancer cell line MGC-803 and human hepatocellular cancer cell line HepG2 were tested by MTT assay. In vivo antitumor effect of SYUNZ-7 was tested using ascitic cancer EAC xenograft in mice and CNE2 xenograft in nude mice models. Cell apoptosis and cell cycle distribution were assessed by flow cytometry. The in vivo effect of SYUNZ-7 on angiogenesis was detected by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: The 50% inhibitory concentrations (IC(50)) of SYUNZ-7 to GLC-82, CNE2, KB, MGC-803, and HepG2 cells were (2.18+/-0.04) microg/ml, (4.17+/-0.09) microg/ml, (5.41+/-0.10) microg/ml, (6.41+/-0.14) microg/ml, and (9.99+/-0.21) microg/ml, respectively. Under the treatment of 1, 2, 4, and 8 mg/kg of SYUNZ-7, the inhibitory rates of EAC xenografts in mice were (40.5+/-0.14)%, (50.9+/-2.3)%, (61.7+/-1.8)%, and (65.6+/-7.4)%, respectively (P<0.01). Under the treatment of 1, 2, and 4 mg/kg of SYUNZ-7, the inhibitory rates of CNE2 xenografts in nude mice were 24.7%, 38.3%, and 41.2%, respectively (P<0.05). SYUNZ-7 induced apoptosis of CNE2 cells in time- and concentration-dependent manners, and blocked the transition of CNE2 cells from S to G(2)/M phase. SYUNZ-7 also inhibited the angiogenesis of CNE2 xenografts in nude mice in a concentration-dependent manner. CONCLUSION: SYUNZ-7 has strong in vivo and in vitro antitumor effects which are related to inducing cell apoptosis, blocking cell cycle, and inhibiting angiogenesis of tumor.

The molecular mechanisms involved in the cytotoxicity of alkannin derivatives.

In order to better understand the molecular aspects of the cytotoxic action mechanisms, the cytotoxicity of alkannin derivatives, 1-10, on five human tumor cell lines were examined and their standard redox potentials in aprotic medium were tested by means of cyclic voltammetry. It was suggested that the oxidative potential is closely related to the cytotoxicity. The more negative the oxidative potential of the hydroquinones, the higher cytotoxicity of these derivatives. The results of the compounds 5, 7, 9 and 10 with bad leaving groups, have higher cytotoxic action is not agreed with the bioreductive alkylation mechanism of quinones. It indicates that the molecular mechanism involving cytotoxicity of alkannin derivatives may favor the mechanism of production of reactive oxygen.

Synthesis and cytotoxicity study of alkannin derivatives.

Alkannin derivatives (3-19) were prepared through the reaction of beta,beta-dimethylacrylalkannin (1), the most abundant isohexenylnaphthazarin isolated from the roots of Arnebia euchroma, with different types of nucleophiles such as amines and thiols in the absence or presence of a reducing agent. The cytotoxicities of 1-8, 10-14 and 19 against four human carcinoma cell line (GLC-82, CNE2, Bel-7402, K-562) were found to be markedly higher than that of the naturally occurring beta,beta-dimethylacrylalkannin (1) and acetylalkannin (2). This study also shed light on the understanding of the biological activities in terms of the chemical reactivity of alkannins.

Inhibition of DNA primase and induction of apoptosis by 3,3'-diethyl-9-methylthia-carbocyanine iodide in hepatocellular carcinoma BEL-7402 cells.

AIM: To evaluate the effects of 3,3'-diethyl-9-methylthia-carbocyanine iodide (DMTCCI) on DNA primase activity and on apoptosis of human hepatocellular carcinoma BEL-7402 cells. METHODS: DNA primase assay was used to investigate DNA primase activity. MTT assay was applied to determine cell proliferation. Flow cytometric analysis, transmission electron microscopy, DNA fragmentation assay were performed to detect DMTCCI-induced apoptosis. Expression levels of p53, Bcl-2, Bcl-xL, Bad, Bax, survivin, Caspase-3 and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) were evaluated by immunoblot analysis. Caspase-3 activity was assessed with ApoAlert Caspase-3 colorimetric assay kit. RESULTS: DMTCCI had inhibitory effects on eukaryotic DNA primase activity with IC(50) value of 162.2 nmol/L. It also inhibited proliferation of human hepatocellular carcinoma BEL-7402 cells with IC(50) value of 2.09 micromol/L. Furthermore, DMTCCI-induced BEL-7402 cell apoptosis was confirmed by DNA fragmentation (DNA ladders and sub-G1 formation) and transmission electron microscopy (apoptotic bodies formation). During the induction of apoptosis, expression of Bcl-2, Bcl-xL and survivin was decreased, and that of p53, Bad and Bax was increased. Caspase-3 was activated and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) was cleaved in BEL-7402 cells treated with DMTCCI. CONCLUSION: The present data suggest that DMTCCI has inhibitory effects on eukaryotic DNA primase and can induce apoptosis of BEL-7402 cells. The modulation of expression of p53 and Bcl-2 family proteins, and activation of Caspase-3 might be involved in the induction of apoptosis.

[SUCI02 inhibits HER-2/neu receptor tyrosine kinase phosphorylation and growth of HER-2/neu-overexpressing breast cancer cells].

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE: Overexpression of HER-2/neu receptor plays a key role in tumorigenesis,progression,prognosis and chemosensitivity of tumors. We found that SUCI02[N-(4-ethoyphenol)-2-hydroxy- acid amide] could inhibit HER2/neu phosphorylation through comprehensive screening. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of SUCI02 on HER-2/neu-overexpressing cancer cell growth. METHODS: Western blot analysis and immunoprecipitation was used to examine the changes of HER-2/neu receptor tyrosine kinase phosphorylation and protein level. MTT assay was employed to determine the growth inhibition of SUCI02 on the tumor cells. RESULTS: SUCI02 reversibly inhibited tyrosine phosphorylation of HER-2/neu in a dose-dependent manner with half maximal inhibition at a concentration of 4.34 microg/ml without reduced HER-2/neu receptor protein expression. Activation of MAPK and AKT, which were downstream molecules of HER-2/neu-mediated signal transduction pathway, was inhibited after being exposure to SUCI02. In contrast, tyrosine phosphorylation of EGFR was relatively unaffected at the concentrations of SUCI02 up to 40 microg/ml. SUCI02 inhibited cell proliferation of HER-2/neu- overexpressing MDA-MB-453m1 more potent than that of EGFR-overexpressing MDA-MB-468.Their IC(50) values were 1.33 microg/ml and 11.3 microg/ml,respectively. CONCLUSION: SUCI02 can inhibit tyrosine phosphorylation of HER-2/neu receptor,cell proliferation of HER-2/neu-overexpressing breast cancer cells preferentially and shut down downstream HER-2/neu signal transduction.

[Antitumor effect of anuoning].

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE: The authors' previous studies have demonstrated that anuoning bullatacin and squamocin have anticancer activity in vitro. Squamocin could induce apoptosis of HL-60 cells. The purpose of this paper was to investigate cytotoxicity and antitumor effect of anuoning. METHODS: MTT assay was used to examine the growth inhibition of anuoning on human colon carcinoma cell line (HT-29), human nasopharyngeal carcinoma cell line (SUNE1, CNE2), human liver carcinoma (bel-7402), human breast adenocarcinoma cell line (MCF-7) and human lung adenocarcinoma cell line (GLC-82). The models of mice S-180 sarcoma and HepS were used for in vivo antitumor test. RESULTS: The IC50 of anuoning on CNE2, bel-7402, HT-29, SUNE1 cell were 0.044, 0.068, 0.446, and 1.617 micrograms/ml, respectively. The IC50 of anuoning on MCF-7 cell and GLC-82 cell were 1.857 and 3.481 micrograms/ml, respectively. Under the doses of 15, 30, and 60 micrograms/kg, i.p., qd x 10 d, the average tumor inhibitory rates of anuoning to mice tumor HepS were 36.9%, 51.8%, and 57.9%, respectively (P < 0.05). Under the same concentration, the average tumor inhibitory rates of anuoning on mice S-180 sarcoma were 43.0%, 52.1%, and 61.0%, respectively (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate that the anuoning possess cell growth inhibition activity to various human tumor cells in vitro and antitumor effect in vivo.

[Tea polyphenol inhibit on growth of human nasopharyngeal carcinoma cell and xenograft in nude mice].

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: It was reported that tea polyphenol(TP) possess preventive and anticancer effects on various human cancers. However the report about TP against human nasopharyngeal carcinoma(NPC) was very rare. Our previous studies have also suggested that TP has antiproliferative effect and may induce apoptosis in human NPC cell. In order to further explore the antitumor effect, the authors investigated the growth inhibition effect of TP on various human NPC cell lines and xenograft tumors of human NPC in nude mice. METHOD: Antiproliferative effect of TP against seven human NPC cell lines was tested by MTT method. Antitumor effect of TP was determined using the xenografts models of human NPC cell (CNE2) in nude mice. RESULTS: The fifty percent inhibition concentration (IC50) of TP against NPC cell lines (NPC/HK1, CNE1, CNE2, HNE1, HNE2, SUNE1, and Fadu cells) were calculated to be 55.83, 98.43, 119.21, 127.74, 158.07, 160.72, and 163.59 micrograms/ml, respectively. Average inhibitory rates of TP against xenograft tumors of human NPC in nude mice were 12.7% (P > 0.05), under the dosage of 5 mg.(kg..d)-1, ig x 18 d. Under the dosages of 10 mg.(kg..d)-1, ig x 18 d and 20 mg.(kg..d)-1, ig x 18 average inhibitory rates were 31.0% and 38.5%, (P < 0.01), respectively. CONCLUSION: The results indicated that TP possessed different antiproliferative effect on seven human NPC cell lines in vitro and on xenograft tumor of human NPC in nude mice.