Reversal of multidrug resistance in cancer cells by pyranocoumarins isolated from Radix Peucedani

Natural products for combating multidrug resistance in cancer

Cancer cells frequently develop resistance to chemotherapeutic therapies and targeted drugs, which has been a significant challenge in cancer management. With the growing advances in technologies in isolation and identification of natural products, the potential of natural products in combating cancer multidrug resistance has received substantial attention. Importantly, natural products can impact multiple targets, which can be valuable in overcoming drug resistance from different perspectives. In the current review, we will describe the well-established mechanisms underlying multidrug resistance, and introduce natural products that could target these multidrug resistant mechanisms. Specifically, we will discuss natural compounds such as curcumin, resveratrol, baicalein, chrysin and more, and their potential roles in combating multidrug resistance. This review article aims to provide a systematic summary of recent advances of natural products in combating cancer drug resistance, and will provide rationales for novel drug discovery.

Structurally Diverse Coumarins from Peucedanum praeruptorum and their Anti-Inflammatory Activities via NF-κB Signaling Pathway

The phytochemical study of Peucedanum praeruptorum led to the isolation of twenty-five coumarins (1-25). Of which, (±) praeruptol A (±1), one pair of previous undescribed seco-coumarin enantiomers were obtained. Their structures were established according to HR-ESI-MS, NMR, X-ray single crystal diffraction analysis, as well as ECD calculation. All compounds were tested for anti-inflammatory activity in the RAW264.7 macrophage model, and eight compounds (7-10, and 13-16) exhibited significant inhibitory effects with IC50 values ranging from 9.48 to 34.66 μM. Among them, compound 7 showed the strongest inhibitory effect, which significantly suppressed the production of IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α, as well as iNOS and COX-2 in a concentration-dependent manner. Further investigated results showed that compound 7 exerted an anti-inflammatory effect via the NF-κB signaling pathway.

Multicomponent Synthesis Strategies, Catalytic Activities, and Potential Therapeutic Applications of Pyranocoumarins: A Comprehensive Review

Fused coumarins, because of their remarkable biological and therapeutic properties, particularly pyranocoumarins, have caught the interest of synthetic organic chemists, leading to the development of more efficient and environmentally friendly protocols for synthesizing pyranocoumarin derivatives. These compounds are the most promising heterocycles discovered in both natural and synthetic sources, with anti-inflammatory, anti-HIV, antitubercular, antihyperglycemic, and antibacterial properties. This review employed the leading scientific databases Scopus, Web of Science, Google Scholar, and PubMed up to the end of 2022, as well as the combining terms pyranocoumarins, synthesis, isolation, structural elucidation, and biological activity. Among the catalysts employed, acidic magnetic nanocatalysts, transition metal catalysts, and carbon-based catalysts have all demonstrated improved reaction yields and facilitated reactions under milder conditions. Herein, the present review discusses the various multicomponent synthetic strategies for pyranocoumarins catalyzed by transition metal-based catalysts, transition metal-based nanocatalysts, transition metal-free catalysts, carbon-based nanocatalysts, and their potential pharmacological activities.

Computational Binding Analysis of Ethyl 3,3,5,5-Tetracyano-2-Hydroxy-2-Methyl-4,6-Diphenylcyclohexane-1-Carboxylate in Calf Thymus DNA

In the present paper, several computational binding analyses were performed on ethyl 3,3,5,5-tetracyano-2-hydroxy-2-methyl-4,6-diphenylcyclohexane-1-carboxylate which was newly synthesized by three-component condensation of benzaldehyde with ethyl acetoacetate and malononitrile in the presence of trichloroacetic acid, and the structure was finally proved by X-ray analysis. The visualization of molecular interaction was carried out through Hirshfeld surface analysis and ESP. The atomic charges, HOMO, LUMO, and electrostatic potential were also studied to explore the insight of the molecule deeper, and then, natural bonding orbitals (NBO) and non-linear optical properties (NLO) were calculated to reveal the interactions that happen to be between the filled and vacant orbitals. Afterwards, molecular docking studies predicted the compound binding mode fits in the minor groove of DNA and remained interacts via stable bonding as validated by molecular dynamics simulations. The binding energy estimation also affirmed domination van der Waals and electrostatic energies. Lastly, the compound was found as good drug-like molecule and had good pharmacokinetic profile with exception of toxic moieties.

Design, synthesis and biological evaluation of seco-DSP/DCK derivatives reversing P-glycoprotein-mediated paclitaxel resistance in A2780/T cells

P-glycoprotein transporter (P-gp, ABCB1) is a major contributor to multidrug resistance, making it a valuable target for the development of novel P-gp inhibitor to overcome multidrug resistance. In this study, forty-nine novel seco-DSPs and seco-DMDCK derivatives were synthesized and evaluated their chemo-sensitize abilities to paclitaxel in A2780/T cell lines. Most of them exhibited a comparable reversal multidrug-resistance activity than verapamil. Especially, compound 27f showed a remarkable chemo-sensitization with more than 425-fold reversal ratio in A2780/T cells. The study of preliminary pharmacological mechanism displayed that compound 27f was more effective to increase the accumulation of paclitaxel and Rhodamine 123 than verapamil via inhibiting P-gp for reversing multidrug-resistance. In addition, a higher than 40 μM IC₅₀ values of hERG potassium channel inhibition concentration suggested that compound 27f hardly had relevant cardiac toxicity. These results indicated that compound 27f might be a potential candidate to further investigate for the development of chemosensitizer with MDR reversal activity.

Determination of Characteristic Volatile Component Fingerprint of Peucedanum Praeruptorum Dunn at Different Harvest Periods Based on HS-GC-IMS

BACKGROUND

Peucedanum praeruptorum Dunn (PPD) is a Chinese herbal medicine with medicinal value. Clinical studies have shown that PPD has protective effects against wind-heat, cough, asthma, cardiovascular diseases, and cancer. Therefore, cultivation of PPD is becoming more common. However, it has been difficult to determine the optimal harvest period for botanical Chinese medicines such as PPD.

OBJECTIVES

Odor characteristics are directly related to the chemical components contained in traditional Chinese medicines. In particular, for traditional Chinese medicines such as PPD that are rich in volatile components, higher quality usually means more beneficial volatile components. The purpose of this study was to analyze changes in PPD volatile components across different harvest periods, and provide the basis for the identification of the ideal harvest period to ensure PPD quality.

METHODS

We measured the volatile components of PPD at different harvest periods using HS-GC-IMS to characterize its volatile component fingerprint at different harvest periods.

RESULTS

We identified 80 volatile components in PPD across five harvest periods, and combined complex heatmap and PCA methods distinguish the characteristics of the different harvest periods, and used ion mobility spectrometry to determine the volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which mainly included compounds such as olefins, esters, alcohols, aldehydes, and ketones, and determined that the abundance of volatile components reached a peak in December.

CONCLUSIONS

The fingerprint determination of characteristic volatile components based on HS-GC-IMS can distinguish PPD in different harvest periods.

HIGHLIGHTS

We used HS-GC-IMS to determine the characteristic fingerprint of volatile components from PPD across different harvest periods. This approach differs from past studies, which have determined the optimal harvest time of medicinal materials based on only the content of a single active ingredient.

Synthesis of novel pyrano[2,3-f]chromene-dione derivatives using phosphoric acid-functionalized silica-coated Fe3O4 nanoparticles as a new reusable solid acid nanocatalyst

In this research, the synthesis of novel indeno[1,2-b]pyrano[2,3-f]chromene-2,12(13H)-dione derivatives in the presence of a newly introduced magnetically recoverable nanosolid acid catalyst is reported. At the first, phosphoric acid-functionalized silica-coated Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles (Fe₃O₄@SiO₂-(CH₂)₃OPO₃H₂) were prepared and well characterized using infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM), and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) techniques. Then, the catalytic activity of the prepared Fe₃O₄@ SiO₂-(CH₂)₃OPO₃H₂ nanocatalyst was investigated for the synthesis of novel indeno[1,2-b]pyrano[2,3-f]chromene-2,12(13H)-dione derivatives via a one-pot and three-component condensation between 5,7-dihydroxy-4-methylcoumarin, indane-1, 3-dione, and various aromatic aldehydes under solvent-free condition. All the products are unknown, and their characterization was performed with the spectral data information obtained from their FT-IR, ¹H and ¹³CNMR, elemental analysis, and their melting points. The reusability study of the introduced nanosolid acid catalyst showed that the catalytic stability is almost completely remained up to five consecutive runs.

Peucedanum praeruptorum Dunn polysaccharides regulate macrophage inflammatory response through TLR2/TLR4-mediated MAPK and NF-κB pathways

The present study was to investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying macrophage inflammatory response to polysaccharides from Peucedanum praeruptorum Dunn (PPDs) and elucidate the receptors and signaling pathways associated with PPDs-mediated macrophage activation. MTT and Griess method were performed to investigate the effects of PPDs on cell viability and NO production. Neutral red and FITC-dextran were used to determine the pinocytic and phagocytic activity. RT-qPCR and ELISA were employed to analyze the mRNA expression of inflammatory factors and production of cytokines and chemokines. RNA-seq and bioinformatics analysis were conducted to determine the underlying molecules, regulators and pathways, which were further validated by pathway inhibition and neutralization assays. The results indicated that PPDs significantly enhanced pinocytic and phagocytic activity, promoted the expression and secretion of inflammatory factors and chemokines, and boosted the expression of accessory and costimulatory molecules. RNA-Seq analysis identified 1343 DEGs, 405 GO terms and 91 KEGG pathways. IL6 and TNF were identified as hubs of connectivity in PPDs-mediated macrophage activation. "Cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction", "TNF signaling pathway", "NF-kappa B signaling pathway", "JAK-STAT signaling pathway" and "MAPK signaling pathway" were the most significant pathways. The pathway inhibition assay revealed that MAPK and NF-κB pathways were essential to macrophage activation by PPDs. TLR2 and TLR4 were uncovered to be the functional receptors and involved in recognition of PPDs. These results indicated that PPDs modulated macrophage inflammatory response mainly through TLR2/TLR4-dependent MAPK and NF-κB pathways.

A REVIEW ON ANOMALIN: A NATURAL BIOACTIVE PYRANOCOUMARIN FROM THE PAST TO THE FUTURE

Anomalin is a seselin-type pyranocoumarin isolated for the first time from Angelica anomala Avé-Lal, but is also found in several other plant species, especially in Apiaceae. This lipophilic molecule possesses pharmacologically beneficial activities for human health. The major scientific databases Scopus, Web of Science, Google Scholar, and PubMed up to the end of 2021 and the combining terms anomalin, praeruptorin, isolation, structure elucidation, and biological activity were used in the research of this review. This review focuses on the sources, structural properties, and biological functions of anomalin and provides future trends in the investigation of anomalin, particularly in therapies for many common diseases such as anti-inflammatory and neurodegenerative illnesses. As a potential bioactive molecule, prospective studies on anomalin should be done through supported clinical trials. At the end, this review confirms the significant pharmacological potential of anomalin.

Endothelium-dependent vasorelaxant effects of praeruptorin a in isolated rat thoracic aorta

Praeruptorin A (PA) is a natural coumarin compound from the roots of Radix Peucedani and is commonly used in the treatment of certain respiratory diseases and hypertension. Although previous studies identified relaxant effects of PA on tracheal and arterial preparations, little is known about its vasodilative effects and underlying mechanisms. Here, an organ bath system and tension recording methods were used to prepare and analyze isolated rat thoracic aorta artery rings. Aorta artery rings were pre-contracted with phenylephrine and then incubated with PA, and the possible mechanism of relaxation was investigated by adding inhibitors of nitric oxide synthase (NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester, L-NAME), endothelial nitric oxide synthase (L-NG-nitroarginine, L-NNA), cyclooxygenase (indomethacin), guanylyl cyclase (1 H-[1,2,4]oxadiazolo [4,3-a]quinoxalin-1-one, ODQ), and KCa channels (tetraethylammonium, TEA). Our study showed that PA-induced vasodilation was blocked by L-NAME, L-NNA, and ODQ, while CaCl₂-induced vasoconstriction was countered by PA. Thus, PA may exert a vasodilatory effect by influencing the amounts of endothelium-derived relaxing factors through endothelial-dependent NO-cGMP and prostacyclin pathways (such as NO and prostacyclin 2). In the rat thoracic aorta, PA reduces vasoconstriction by inhibiting Ca²⁺ inflow.

One-pot multi-component synthesis of diverse bioactive heterocyclic scaffolds involving 6-aminouracil or its N-methyl derivatives as a versatile reagent

The present review summarizes all the multi-component reaction strategies reported during last two decades for the synthesis of diverse bioactive heterocyclic scaffolds involving 6-aminouracil or its N-methyl derivatives.

Metabolome-based profiling of African baobab fruit (Adansonia digitata L.) using a multiplex approach of MS and NMR techniques in relation to its biological activity

Adansonia digitata L. also known as African baobab is one of the most important fruit-producing trees, widely distributed in the African continent. Baobab fruits are known to possess potential health benefits and nutritional value. This study aimed to holistically dissect the metabolome of A. digitata fruits using a novel comparative protocol using three different analytical platforms. Ultra high performance liquid chromatography coupled to high-resolution tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-HRMS/MS), and headspace solid-phase microextraction/gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (HS-SPME/GC-MS) were respectively employed for phytonutrients and aroma profiling, whereas GC-MS post silylation provided an overview of nutrients i.e., sugars. UHPLC-HRMS/MS analysis allowed for the assignment of 77 metabolites, among which 50% are reported for the first time in the fruit. While GC-MS of silylated and aroma compounds led to the identification of 74 and 16 compounds, respectively. Finally, NMR-based metabolite fingerprinting permitted the quantification of the major metabolites for future standardization. In parallel, in vivo antidiabetic potential of the baobab fruit using a streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetic rat model was assessed. Histopathological and immune-histochemical investigations revealed hepatoprotective and renoprotective effects of A. digitata fruit along with mitigation against diabetes complications. Moreover, the administration of A. digitata fruits (150 mg kg-1) twice a week lowered fasting blood glucose levels.

4-(Dimethylamino)pyridine as an Efficient Catalyst for One-Pot Synthesis of 1,4-Pyranonaphthoquinone Derivatives viaMicrowave-Assisted Sequential Three Component Reaction in Green Solvent

Novel 1,4-pyranonaphthoquinone derivatives were successfully synthesized via the microwave-assisted three-component reaction of 1,4-naphthoquinone, malononitrile, and various arylaldehydes in ethanol in the presence of 4-(dimethylamino)pyridine (DMAP) as a catalyst, and subsequently evaluated in terms of their antimicrobial and antifungal activities. This synthetic procedure has the notable advantages of environmental friendliness, short reaction time, good yield, and convenient operation.

An LC-MS/MS Method for the Pharmacokinetic and in Vitro Metabolism Studies of Praeruptorin A in Rat

Objective:

The study aims to investigate the pharmacokinetic profile of Praeruptorin A and khellactone and in vitro hydrolysis of praeruptorin A to khellactone in different biological samples.

Methods:

A LC-MS/MS method was established. Analytes and internal standard (IS) were isolated using the protein precipitation method and then separated on a Thermo BDS Hypersil C18 (2.1 mm×50 mm, 2.4μm) column using a mobile phase consisting of 0.05% formic acid solution and acetonitrile. Samples were analyzed in positive electrospray-ionization (ESI) mode using multiple reaction monitoring (MRM).

Results:

The calibration plots gave desirable linearity (r2>0.99) in the concentration range from 0.99-990.0 and 2.0-2000.0 ng/mL for Praeruptorin A and khellactone, respectively. In addition, the LOQs of these analytes were sufficient for vivo pharmacokinetic study and vitro hydrolysis study of Praeruptorin A. The intra-batch and inter-batch precision were all within 14.05%, and the accuracy was between 89.39% and 109.50%. The extraction efficiency of PA and khellactone ranged from 76.35 ~ 89.58%. The matrix effects of analytes and the IS were between 89.67% ~ 105.26%.

Conclusion:

The liver CYPs mediated by the metabolism of PA may contribute to the systemic exposure of its active metabolite, khellactone, in rats.

Phytochemicals reverse P-glycoprotein mediated multidrug resistance via signal transduction pathways

P-glycoprotein, encoded by ATP-binding cassette transporters B1 gene (ABCB1), renders multidrug resistance (MDR) during cancer chemotherapy. Several synthetic small molecule inhibitors affect P-glycoprotein (P-gp) transport function in MDR tumor cells. However, inhibition of P-gp transport function adversely accumulates chemotherapeutic drugs in non-target normal tissues. Moreover, most small-molecule P-gp inhibitors failed in the clinical trials due to the low therapeutic window at the maximum tolerated dose. Therefore, downregulation of ABCB1-gene expression (P-gp) in tumor tissues seems to be a novel approach rather than inhibiting its transport function for the reversal of multidrug resistance (MDR). Several plant-derived phytochemicals modulate various signal transduction pathways and inhibit translocation of transcription factors, thereby reverses P-gp mediated MDR in tumor cells. Therefore, phytochemicals may be considered an alternative to synthetic small molecule P-gp inhibitors for the reversal of MDR in cancer cells. This review discussed the role of natural phytochemicals that modulate ABCB1 expression through various signal transduction pathways in MDR cancer cells. Therefore, modulating the cell signaling pathways by phytochemicals might play crucial roles in modulating ABCB1 gene expression and the reversal of MDR.

Therapeutic strategies to overcome taxane resistance in cancer

One of the primary causes of attenuated or loss of efficacy of cancer chemotherapy is the emergence of multidrug resistance (MDR). Numerous studies have been published regarding potential approaches to reverse resistance to taxanes, including paclitaxel (PTX) and docetaxel, which represent one of the most important classes of anticancer drugs. Since 1984, following the FDA approval of paclitaxel for the treatment of advanced ovarian carcinoma, taxanes have been extensively used as drugs that target tumor microtubules. Taxanes, have been shown to affect an array of oncogenic signaling pathways and have potent cytotoxic efficacy. However, the clinical success of these drugs has been restricted by the emergence of cancer cell resistance, primarily caused by the overexpression of MDR efflux transporters or by microtubule alterations. In vitro and in vivo studies indicate that the mechanisms underlying the resistance to PTX and docetaxel are primarily due to alterations in α-tubulin and β-tubulin. Moreover, resistance to PTX and docetaxel results from: 1) alterations in microtubule-protein interactions, including microtubule-associated protein 4, stathmin, centriole, cilia, spindle-associated protein, and kinesins; 2) alterations in the expression and activity of multidrug efflux transporters of the ABC superfamily including P-glycoprotein (P-gp/ABCB1); 3) overexpression of anti-apoptotic proteins or inhibition of apoptotic proteins and tumor-suppressor proteins, as well as 4) modulation of signal transduction pathways associated with the activity of several cytokines, chemokines and transcription factors. In this review, we discuss the abovementioned molecular mechanisms and their role in mediating cancer chemoresistance to PTX and docetaxel. We provide a detailed analysis of both in vitro and in vivo experimental data and describe the application of these findings to therapeutic practice. The current review also discusses the efficacy of different pharmacological modulations to achieve reversal of PTX resistance. The therapeutic roles of several novel compounds, as well as herbal formulations, are also discussed. Among them, many structural derivatives had efficacy against the MDR phenotype by either suppressing MDR or increasing the cytotoxic efficacy compared to the parental drugs, or both. Natural products functioning as MDR chemosensitizers offer novel treatment strategies in patients with chemoresistant cancers by attenuating MDR and increasing chemotherapy efficacy. We broadly discuss the roles of inhibitors of P-gp and other efflux pumps, in the reversal of PTX and docetaxel resistance in cancer cells and the significance of using a nanomedicine delivery system in this context. Thus, a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms mediating the reversal of drug resistance, combined with drug efficacy and the application of target-based inhibition or specific drug delivery, could signal a new era in modern medicine that would limit the pathological consequences of MDR in cancer patients.

New Seco-DSP derivatives as potent chemosensitizers

Thirty-four seco-3'R,4'R-disubstituted-2',2'-dimethyldihydropyrano[2,3-f]chromone (seco-DSP) derivatives were designed, synthesized and evaluated for chemo-reversal activity when combined with paclitaxel or vincristine in P-gp overexpressing A2780/T and KB-VIN drug-resistant cancer cell lines. Most of the compounds displayed moderate to significant MDR reversal activities. Compound 7e showed the most potent chemo-sensitization activity with more than 1471 reversal ratio at a concentration of 10 μM, which was higher than verapamil (VRP) (212-fold). Unexpectedly the newly synthesized compounds did not show chemosensitization activities in a non-P-gp overexpressing cisplatin resistant human ovarian cancer cell line (A2780/CDDP), implying that the MDR reversal effects might be associated with P-gp overexpression. Moreover, the compounds did not exhibit significant anti-proliferative activities against non-tumorigenic cell lines (HUVEC, HOSEC and T29) compared to VRP at the tested concentration and might be safer than VRP. In preliminary pharmacological mechanism studies, the compounds increased accumulation of DOX and promoted P-gp ATPase activity in A2780/T cell lines. Western blot analysis indicated they did not affect the expression level of P-gp in the tested MDR cell lines. Thus, further studies on these seco-DSP derivatives are merited with the goal of developing a desirable chemosensitizer drug candidate.

Phytochemicals: Potential Lead Molecules for MDR Reversal

Multidrug resistance (MDR) is one of the main impediments in the treatment of cancers. MDR cancer cells are resistant to multiple anticancer drugs. One of the major mechanisms of MDR is the efflux of anticancer drugs by ABC transporters. Increased activity and overexpression of these transporters are important causes of drug efflux and, therefore, resistance to cancer chemotherapy. Overcoming MDR is a fundamental prerequisite for developing an efficient treatment of cancer. To date, various types of ABC transporter inhibitors have been employed but no effective anticancer drug is available at present, which can completely overcome MDR. Phytochemicals can reverse MDR in cancer cells via affecting the expression or activity of ABC transporters, and also through exerting synergistic interactions with anticancer drugs by addressing additional molecular targets. We have listed numerous phytochemicals which can affect the expression and activity of ABC transporters in MDR cancer cell lines. Phytochemicals in the groups of flavonoids, alkaloids, terpenes, carotenoids, stilbenoids, lignans, polyketides, and curcuminoids have been examined for MDR-reversing activity. The use of MDR-reversing phytochemicals with low toxicity to human in combination with effective anticancer agents may result in successful treatment of chemotherapy-resistant cancer. In this review, we summarize and discuss published evidence for natural products with MDR modulation abilities.

One-pot, catalyst-free synthesis of novel spiro[indole-3,4′-pyrano[2′,3′:4,5]pyrimido [2,1-b][1,3]benzothiazole] derivatives

The present report describes one-pot three-component condensation of isatins, malononitrile, and 2-hydroxy-4 H-pyrimido[2,1- b][1,3]benzothiazol-4-one in water–ethanol mixture at reflux to develop an efficient one-pot protocol for the synthesis of novel spiro[indole-3,4′-pyrano[2′,3′:4,5]pyrimido[2,1- b][1,3]benzothiazole] derivatives. The significant features of this protocol are short reaction times, avoidance of toxic catalysts, and provision of excellent yields, no column chromatographic purification, and use of ethanol-water as an environmentally benign solvent. The molecular structure of 4a has been supported by single-crystal X-ray diffraction.

Praeruptorin B Mitigates the Metastatic Ability of Human Renal Carcinoma Cells through Targeting CTSC and CTSV Expression

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is the most common adult kidney cancer, and accounts for 85% of all cases of kidney cancers worldwide. Praeruptorin B (Pra-B) is a bioactive constituent of Peucedanum praeruptorum Dunn and exhibits several pharmacological activities, including potent antitumor effects. However, the anti-RCC effects of Pra-B and their underlying mechanisms are unclear; therefore, we explored the effects of Pra-B on RCC cells in this study. We found that Pra-B nonsignificantly influenced the cell viability of human RCC cell lines 786-O and ACHN at a dose of less than 30 μM for 24 h treatment. Further study revealed that Pra-B potently inhibited the migration and invasion of 786-O and ACHN cells, as well as downregulated the mRNA and protein expression of cathepsin C (CTSC) and cathepsin V (CTSV) of 786-O and ACHN cells. Mechanistically, Pra-B also reduced the protein levels of phospho (p)-epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), p-mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MEK), and p-extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK) in RCC cells. In addition, Pra-B treatment inhibited the effect of EGF on the upregulation of EGFR–MEK–ERK, CTSC and CTSV expression, cellular migration, and invasion of 786-O cells. Our findings are the first to demonstrate that Pra-B can reduce the migration and invasion ability of human RCC cells through suppressing the EGFR-MEK-ERK signaling pathway and subsequently downregulating CTSC and CTSV. This evidence suggests that Pra-B can be developed as an effective antimetastatic agent for the treatment of RCC.

Aerial Parts of Peucedanum chenur Have Anti-Cancer Properties through the Induction of Apoptosis and Inhibition of Invasion in Human Colorectal Cancer Cells

Background:

The Peucedanum species have many pharmacological effects due to the presence of coumarins, flavonoids, phenolic compounds, and essential fatty acids in these species. In this study, for the first time, the anticancer activity of Peucedanum chenur methanolic extract via the induction of apoptosis and inhibition of invasion in HCT-116 human colon cancer cells was investigated.

Methods:

P. chenur methanolic extract effect on HCT-116 cells viability and antioxidant activity were evaluated using MTT assay, DPPH, and iron chelating tests, respectively. Changes in mRNA expression level in a panel of relevant genes were assessed by the quantitative real-time PCR. Also, apoptosis was assessed by cell cycle analysis and Annexin V/PI method, and the effect on cell migration was tested using scratch test.

Results:

P. chenur methanolic extract increased significantly the expression of BAX while decreased the expression of BCL-2, AKT1, FAK, RhoA, and MMP genes compared to the control group. BAX/BCL-2 ratio and apoptosis elevated, whereas cell migration reduced significantly. Besides, our extract showed an appropriate antioxidant activity.

Conclusion:

P. chenur may be introduced as a new chemopreventive agent in medicine due to its notable power in terms of induction of apoptosis and inhibition of invasion.

Synthesis and Evaluation of Anticancer Activity of New 4-Acyloxy Derivatives of Robustic Acid

In the present study, a series of 4-acyloxy robustic acid derivatives were synthesized and characterized for evaluation of their anti-cancer activity. The structures of these derivatives were elucidated by mass spectra (MS) nuclear magnetic resonance spectra (NMR). The single-crystal X-ray diffraction structure of one of these compounds was obtained, for further validation of the target compound structures. The anticancer activities of the target products were evaluated against human leukemic cells HL-60, human non-small cell lung carcinoma cells A-549, human hepatic carcinoma cells SMMC-7721, human hepatocellular carcinoma cells HepG2, and human cervical carcinoma cells Hela. Three compounds among them exhibited potent in-vitro cytotoxicity and excellent DNA topoisomerase I inhibitory activity, even at 0.1 mM concentrations. The most noteworthy observation was the minor toxicity of two of these compounds to normal cells, with an activity similar to the positive control in cancerous cells. A Surflex-Dock docking study was performed to investigate the topoisomerase I activity of all compounds. Of all the other compounds, the most sensitive compound was selected for further investigation of its effect on apoptosis induction and cell cycle regulation in HL-60 cells. Our results suggest that the anticancer effects of these compounds can be attributed to their pharmacological effects on topoisomerase I, cell apoptosis, and cell cycle. These findings suggest that robustic acid derivatives could be used as potential antitumor drugs.

Crystal structures of two 4H-chromene derivatives: 2-amino-3-cyano-4-(3,4-di-chloro-phen-yl)-7-hy-droxy-4H-benzo[1,2-b]pyran 1,4-dioxane monosolvate and 2-amino-3-cyano-4-(2,6-di-chloro-phen-yl)-7-hy-droxy-4H-benzo[1,2-b]pyran

In the title compounds, C16H9Cl2N2O2·C4H8O2 and C16H9Cl2N2O2, the bicyclic 4H-chromene cores are nearly planar with maximum deviations of 0.081 (2) and 0.087 (2) Å. In both structures, the chromene derivative mol-ecules are linked into centrosymmetric dimers by pairs of N-H⋯O hydrogen bonds, forming R2 2 (16) motifs. These dimers are further linked in the 3,4-di-chloro-phenyl derivative by N-H⋯N hydrogen bonds into double layers parallel to (100) and in the 2,6-di-chloro-phenyl derivative by O-H⋯N hydrogen bonds into ribbons along the [10] direction. In the 3,4-di-chloro-phenyl derivative, the 1,4-dioxane solvent mol-ecules are connected to the chromene mol-ecules via O-H⋯O hydrogen bonds.