Glycyrrhetinic acid: a promising scaffold for the discovery of anticancer agents

18β-glycyrrhetinic acid improves pulmonary hypertension by regulating the vascular non-inflammatory molecule-1/L-arginine/nitric oxide signaling pathway

PURPOSE

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a progressive cardiopulmonary disease characterized by elevated pulmonary arterial pressure and resistance. 18β-Glycyrrhetinic acid (18β-GA), a major bioactive component in Glycyrrhiza glabra L., exhibits various pharmacological activities. Although 18β-GA has been found to alleviate PH, the underlying mechanisms are still unclear. This study was aimed to elucidate the molecular processes by which 18β-GA attenuates PH.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A monocrotaline-induced PH rat model was created, and cardiac function and pulmonary arterial pressure were assessed. Rat blood markers were analyzed via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and protein levels of Vanin-1, NF-κB, IL-6, TNF-α, PPAR-γ, and iNOS in lung tissue were determined by western blotting. A hypoxia-induced pulmonary artery smooth muscle cell (PASMCs) proliferation model was created, and cell proliferation and migration were evaluated using CCK-8 and scratch wound assays. Cell cycle, apoptosis, and mitochondrial membrane potential were assessed via flow cytometry, and protein levels were measured using western blotting.

RESULTS

PH rats treated with, 18β-GA exhibited reduced mean pulmonary arterial pressure (mPAP) and delayed pulmonary vascular remodeling. In lung tissue, Vanin-1, NF-κB, IL-6, and TNF-α were downregulated, while PPAR-γ and iNOS were upregulated. PASMCs treated with 18β-GA exhibited reduced hypoxia-induced proliferation and increased apoptosis. In addition, NO levels in the supernatant of PASMCs were elevated, and Vanin-1 and NF-κB were downregulated, whereas PPAR-γ and iNOS were upregulated.

CONCLUSION

Our findings reveal a novel mechanism by which 18β-GA attenuates PH by improving pulmonary vascular remodeling and inhibiting PASMCs proliferation via the Vanin-1/L-Arg/NO pathway.

Design, synthesis and antitumor activity evaluation of novel modified 18β-glycyrrhetinate derivatives as PPARγ agonists

18β-Glycyrrhetinic acid (18β-GA) is the main active component of licorice and one of the most promising lead compounds in traditional Chinese herbal medicine. Previous studies have shown that 18β-GA can act as a PPARγ agonist to exert antitumor activity. However, the number of reported 18β-GA derivatives as PPARγ agonists is limited and they have significant toxic side effects, which greatly restricts their application and development. To obtain highly effective and low-toxic PPARγ agonists, through structure-activity relationship (SAR) analysis, we constructed a molecular library of 18β-GA derivatives containing 13,440 compounds and screened out 14 novel 18β-GA ester derivatives. The selected compounds were evaluated for their antitumor activity in vitro. The results showed that most of the compounds exhibited strong anti-proliferative activity against five human cancer cell lines, especially the human colon cancer cell line HT-29, without significant toxicity to normal cell lines. Among them, C1 had the strongest anti-proliferative activity against HT-29, with an IC50 value of 12.25 μM, which was 12 times higher than that of its parent nucleus 18β-GA. C1 can block the cell cycle of HT-29 cells in G2/M phase, significantly inhibit their migration and induce their apoptosis. Molecular docking and dynamics simulation results suggested that C1 could stably bind to the active pocket of PPARγ. Further PPARγ activity analysis and drug-likeness prediction results indicated that C1 could act as a PPARγ agonist to exert antitumor effects and had certain drug-likeness, which is worthy of further study.

Responsiveness of glycyrrhetinic acid modified liposome toward secretory phospholipase A2 and its growth inhibitory in Colo205 cells

This study aimed to design a novel liposome containing GA modified phosphatidylcholine lipid (GA-PC Lip) and determine its susceptibility to tumor over-expressed secretory phospholipase A2 (sPLA2) and its anti-cancer effect compared to conventional liposomes (Convention Lip). The liposomes were characterized for size, drug loading, encapsulation efficiency, and stability. A 6-CF release assay was conducted to assess the sensitivity of the liposomes to the tumor-overexpressed secretory phospholipase A2 (sPLA2). In vitro experiment, the sPLA2 levels in the Colo205 cell culture medium were detected by the Elisa kit and the anti-cancer effect of the oxaliplatin (L-OHP) loaded GA-PA Lip was analyzed by the CCK-8 assay. Results showed that both of L-OHP loaded formulations (GA-PC Lip and Convention Lip) had similar particle sizes of ∼100 nm and close entrapment efficiency values of 4.5-4.8%. The results of CF release assay indicated that the labeled GA-PC Lip had released more quickly than CF labeled Convention Lip in the presence of Bv sPLA2 and GA-PC Lip had a release of about 95% 6-CF at 2 h, whereas Convention Lip only released about 13% 6-CF. In addition, the average concentrations of sPLA2 in the cell-conditioned medium (CCM) of Colo205 cancer cells increased with incubation time and L-OHP loaded GA-PC Lip had much greater anti-proliferative activity than Convention Lip against Colo205 cells. These findings suggest that GA-PC Lip is an ideal complex for sPLA2-triggered release and has potential applications in enzyme-triggered smart anti-cancer drug release system to increase the anti-cancer effect.

Licorice and dried ginger decoction inhibits inflammation and alleviates mitochondrial dysfunction in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease by targeting siglec-1

BACKGROUND

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a chronic respiratory disease. Licorice and dried ginger decoction (LGD) is traditional Chinese medicine prescription with multiple effects. Glycyrrhetinic acid (GA) is the main bioactive components of LGD, which has been proven to have a relieving effect on various inflammatory diseases. Siglec-1 is a cell surface sialoadhesin and has been confirmed to be overexpressed in COPD and facilitate inflammatory reaction. This study is aimed to probe the interaction between LGD, GA, and siglec-1.

METHODS

Cigarette smoke (CS) combined with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) treatment was utilized to construct a COPD rat model. Cigarette smoke extract (CSE) was utilized to induce alveolar macrophage NR8383 to construct a COPD cell model. HE staining was applied for measuring histopathological changes of COPD rats. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), reverse transcription real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), and western blot were applied for testing the concentrations and expressions of proinflammatory factors. High performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS) analysis was utilized to determine the combination between siglec-1 and GA. JC-1 assay was utilized to evaluate mitochondrial function. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) production was tested by dichloro-dihydro-fluorescein diacetate (DCFH-DA) staining.

RESULTS

LGD treatment notably alleviated lung injury and inflammatory response in COPD rats. In CSE-induced cells, LGD treatment suppressed the contents of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, and IL-8. Sialic-acid-binding Ig-like lectin 1 (Siglec-1) expression induced by CS was decreased after LGD treatment. Furthermore, we proved that GA could target siglec-1 to regulate the inflammatory response in COPD rats and cells. Additionally, GA could reduce ROS production and alleviate mitochondrial dysfunction to suppress COPD progression.

CONCLUSION

LGD inhibits inflammation and alleviates mitochondrial dysfunction in COPD by targeting siglec-1.

Syntrichia laevipila Brid., a Bryophyta from Northwest Argentina as a Source of Antioxidants and Antimicrobials

In recent years, numerous studies have emerged on the biological activities of bryophytes and their potential for therapeutic use. However, mosses appear to be a relatively overlooked group. The objective of this study was to conduct a phytochemical analysis of one hydroalcoholic extract of Syntrichia laevipila and to evaluate its potential as an antioxidant and antimicrobial agent. The moss was collected in the Chaco Serrano region of Argentina, specifically on Jacaranda mimosifolia, and subsequently extracted by maceration in ethanol/water. UHPLC/ESI/MS/MS analysis identified 32 peaks, including phenolic compounds (phenolic acids, lignans, chalcones, and flavonoids) and non-hydrophilic compounds (terpenoids, fatty acids, and brassinosteroids). Maslinic and oleanolic acids, two triterpenoids present in S. laevipila, were also detected in J. mimosifolia, a substrate of this moss. The concentration of phenolic compounds was 19.05 ± 0.21 µg GAE/mL, while the total flavonoid concentration was 13.13 ± 0.33 µg QE/mL. The determination of reducing and total sugars yielded 0.22 ± 0.03 mg GE/mL and 1.26 ± 0.24 mg GE/mL, respectively, while the concentration of soluble proteins was 90.60 ± 4.50 µg BSAE/mL. The extract exhibited antioxidant properties by scavenging ABTS•+, H2O2, AAPH, and HO• radicals. Additionally, it demonstrated antibacterial activity by inhibiting the growth of four strains of Staphylococcus aureus. The data obtained suggest that the hydroalcoholic extract of S. laevipila possesses significant potential as a natural antioxidant and antimicrobial agent, making it a promising candidate for the development of phytotherapeutic and cosmetic products.

Discovery, Biomanufacture, and Derivatization of Licorice Triterpenoids

Triterpenoids are the major active constituents of licorice, a well-known traditional medicinal herb. Licorice triterpenoids, represented by glycyrrhizin and glycyrrhetic acid, have a high structural diversity and are excellent lead compounds for the development of potent pharmaceuticals. However, their further application can be limited by insufficient activities, low bioavailability, and the presence of side effects, as well as the inefficiency of traditional plant extraction processes for compound production. To address these issues, researchers are focusing on rare triterpenoid components in the genus Glycyrrhiza and developing derivatives to preserve or enhance the original physiological activities with improved bioavailability and reduced side effects. At the same time, synthetic biology offers opportunities to shorten the production cycle, create eco-friendly manufacturing processes, and reduce the cost of producing licorice triterpenoids. Although much progress has been achieved in this field in recent years, there is still a lack of a comprehensive review to summarize the overall characteristics of licorice triterpenoids rather than glycyrrhizin and glycyrrhetinic acid. Based on this, our review comprehensively outlines the structures, origins, and pharmacological activities of licorice triterpenoids and predicts their pharmacological activities using the drugCIPHER algorithm. Furthermore, this paper reviews the advances and strategies for the biomanufacturing of licorice triterpenoids using synthetic biology methods and outlines the perspectives and structure-activity relationships for the derivatization of licorice triterpenoids. This review provides new insights into the discovery and synthesis of pharmaceuticals derived from natural triterpenes.

Recent progress on triterpenoid derivatives and their anticancer potential

Cancer poses a significant global public health challenge, with commonly used adjuvant or neoadjuvant chemotherapy often leading to adverse side effects and drug resistance. Therefore, advancing cancer treatment necessitates the ongoing development of novel anticancer agents with diverse structures and mechanisms of action. Natural products remain crucial in the process of drug discovery, serving as a primary source for pharmaceutical leads and therapeutic advancements. Triterpenoids are particularly compelling due to their complex structures and wide array of biological activities. Recent research has demonstrated that naturally occurring triterpenes and their derivatives have the potential to serve as promising candidates for new drug development. This review aims to comprehensively explore the anticancer properties of triterpenoids and their synthetic analogs, with a focus on recent advancements. Various aspects, such as synthesis, phytochemistry, and molecular simulation for structure-activity relationship analyses, are summarized. It is anticipated that triterpenoid derivatives will emerge as notable anticancer agents following further investigation into their mechanisms of action and in vivo studies.

Genetic and Functional Changes in Mitochondria in the Pituitary Adenoma: The Pathogenesis and Its Therapy

Pituitary adenoma is a common neoplasm of the pituitary gland. Although most pituitary adenomas are benign, they can pose significant challenges in terms of their consequences and prognosis due to their tendency to invade surrounding tissues and their effects on hormone secretion. The management of pituitary adenomas typically involves surgery, medical therapy, and radiotherapy, each of which has its own limitations. Mitochondria play a crucial role in tumor development and progression by regulating various metabolic processes and signaling pathways within tumor cells and the tumor microenvironment. Multiple studies have indicated that mitochondrial dysfunction is implicated in human pituitary adenomas. Furthermore, several compounds with therapeutic effects on pituitary adenomas have been reported to target mitochondrial function. In this review, we summarize recent studies that highlight the involvement of mitochondrial homeostasis imbalance in the biology of pituitary adenomas. We conclude that mitochondria may represent a promising therapeutic target for the treatment of pituitary adenomas.

Novel Glycyrrhetin Ureas Possessing 2-Hydroxy-3-enone A Ring: Modification, Anti-inflammatory Activity, and Targeted STING for the Remedy of Acute Kidney Injury

Glycyrrhetin urea has emerged as a privileged scaffold with anti-inflammatory activity for the treatment and prevention of acute kidney injury (AKI). In this study, structural modifications of the A ring of glycyrrhetinic acid yielded a series of urea derivatives, among which compound 7o exhibited the most promising anti-inflammatory activity. 7o was confirmed to interact with STING through a cellular heat shift assay and to inhibit the STING/NF-κB pathway in RAW264.7 cells. It acted on the STING pathway, inhibited NF-κB phosphorylation, and subsequently reduced the level of release of inflammatory factors. Additionally, 7o significantly increased the survival rate of renal tubular epithelial cells, demonstrating a protective effect against cisplatin-induced cell death and mitigating inflammation activation. The in vivo AKI mouse model showed that 7o significantly downregulated serum creatinine (Scr), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and levels of inflammatory factors (IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α), thereby improving renal function. Morphological analysis revealed that 7o attenuated the cisplatin-induced renal tubular injury. Therefore, 7o represents a promising lead for the prevention and treatment of AKI.

Glycyrrhizic acid-based multifunctional nanoplatform for tumor microenvironment regulation

Natural compounds demonstrate unique therapeutic advantages for cancer treatment, primarily through direct tumor suppression or interference with the tumor microenvironment (TME). Glycyrrhizic acid (GL), a bioactive ingredient derived from the medicinal herb Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch., and its sapogenin glycyrrhetinic acid (GA), have been recognized for their ability to inhibit angiogenesis and remodel the TME. Consequently, the combination of GL with other therapeutic agents offers superior therapeutic benefits. Given GL's amphiphilic structure, self-assembly capability, and liver cancer targeting capacity, various GL-based nanoscale drug delivery systems have been developed. These GL-based nanosystems exhibit angiogenesis suppression and TME regulation properties, synergistically enhancing anti-cancer effects. This review summarizes recent advances in GL-based nanosystems, including polymer-drug micelles, drug-drug assembly nanoparticles (NPs), liposomes, and nanogels, for cancer treatment and tumor postoperative care, providing new insights into the anti-cancer potential of natural compounds. Additionally, the review discusses existing challenges and future perspectives for translating GL-based nanosystems from bench to bedside.

The involvement of the Stat1/Nrf2 pathway in exacerbating Crizotinib-induced liver injury: implications for ferroptosis

Crizotinib carries an FDA hepatotoxicity warning, yet analysis of the FAERS database suggests that the severity of its hepatotoxicity risks, including progression to hepatitis and liver failure, might be underreported. However, the underlying mechanism remains poorly understood, and effective intervention strategies are lacking. Here, mRNA-sequencing analysis, along with KEGG and GO analyses, revealed that DEGs linked to Crizotinib-induced hepatotoxicity predominantly associate with the ferroptosis pathway which was identified as the principal mechanism behind Crizotinib-induced hepatocyte death. Furthermore, we found that ferroptosis inhibitors, namely Ferrostatin-1 and Deferoxamine mesylate, significantly reduced Crizotinib-induced hepatotoxicity and ferroptosis in both in vivo and in vitro settings. We have also discovered that overexpression of AAV8-mediated Nrf2 could mitigate Crizotinib-induced hepatotoxicity and ferroptosis in vivo by restoring the imbalance in glutathione metabolism, iron homeostasis, and lipid peroxidation. Additionally, both Stat1 deficiency and the Stat1 inhibitor NSC118218 were found to reduce Crizotinib-induced ferroptosis. Mechanistically, Crizotinib induces the phosphorylation of Stat1 at Ser727 but not Tyr701, promoting the transcriptional inhibition of Nrf2 expression after its entry into the nucleus to promote ferroptosis. Meanwhile, we found that MgIG and GA protected against hepatotoxicity to counteract ferroptosis without affecting or compromising the anti-cancer activity of Crizotinib, with a mechanism potentially related to the Stat1/Nrf2 pathway. Overall, our findings identify that the phosphorylation activation of Stat1 Ser727, rather than Tyr701, promotes ferroptosis through transcriptional inhibition of Nrf2, and highlight MgIG and GA as potential therapeutic approaches to enhance the safety of Crizotinib-based cancer therapy.

18β-Glycyrrhetinic acid protects against deoxynivalenol-induced liver injury via modulating ferritinophagy and mitochondrial quality control

Deoxynivalenol (DON), a widespread mycotoxin, represents a substantial public health hazard due to its propensity to contaminate agricultural produce, leading to both acute and chronic health issues in humans and animals upon consumption. The role of ferroptosis in DON-induced hepatic damage remains largely unexplored. This study investigates the impact of 18β-glycyrrhetinic acid (GA), a prominent constituent of glycyrrhiza, on DON hepatotoxicity and elucidates the underlying mechanisms. Our results indicate that GA effectively attenuates liver injury inflicted by DON. This was achieved by inhibiting nuclear receptor coactivator 4 (NCOA4)-mediated ferritinophagy and ferroptosis, as well as by adjusting mitochondrial quality control (MQC). Specifically, GA curtails ferritinophagy by diminishing NCOA4 expression without affecting the autophagic flux. At a molecular level, GA binds to and stabilizes programmed cell death protein 4 (PDCD4), thereby inhibiting its ubiquitination and subsequent degradation. This stabilization of PDCD4 leads to the downregulation of NCOA4 via the JNK-Jun-NCOA4 axis. Knockdown of PDCD4 weakened GA's protective action against DON exposure. Furthermore, GA improved mitochondrial function and limited excessive mitophagy and mitochondrial division induced by DON. Disrupting GA's modulation of MQC nullified its anti-ferroptosis effects. Overall, GA offers protection against DON-induced ferroptosis by blocking ferritinophagy and managing MQC. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPLICATION: Food contamination from mycotoxins, is a problem for agricultural and food industries worldwide. Deoxynivalenol (DON), the most common mycotoxins in cereal commodities. A survey in 2023 showed that the positivity rate for DON contamination in food reached more than 70% globally. DON can damage the health of humans whether exposed to high doses for short periods of time or low doses for long periods of time. We have discovered 18β-Glycyrrhetinic acid (GA), a prominent constituent of glycyrrhiza. Liver damage caused by low-dose DON can be successfully treated with GA. This study will support the means of DON control, including antidotes.

Efficacy of Glycyrrhetinic Acid in the Treatment of Acne Vulgaris Based on Network Pharmacology and Experimental Validation

Glycyrrhetinic acid (GA) is a saponin compound, isolated from licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra), which has been wildly explored for its intriguing pharmacological and medicinal effects. GA is a triterpenoid glycoside displaying an array of pharmacological and biological activities, including anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, antiviral and antioxidative properties. In this study, we investigated the underlying mechanisms of GA on acne vulgaris through network pharmacology and proteomics. After the intersection of the 154 drug targets and 581 disease targets, 37 therapeutic targets for GA against acne were obtained. A protein-protein interaction (PPI) network analysis highlighted TNF, IL1B, IL6, ESR1, PPARG, NFKB1, STAT3 and TLR4 as key targets of GA against acne, which is further verified by molecular docking. The experimental results showed that GA inhibited lipid synthesis in vitro and in vivo, improved the histopathological damage of skin, prevented mast cell infiltration and decreased the level of pro-inflammatory cytokines, including TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6. This study indicates that GA may regulate multiple pathways to improve acne symptoms, and the beneficial effects of GA against acne vulgaris might be through the regulation of sebogenesis and inflammatory responses.

A review of typical biological activities of glycyrrhetinic acid and its derivatives

Glycyrrhetinic acid, a triterpenoid compound primarily sourced from licorice root, exhibits noteworthy biological attributes, including anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, antibacterial, antiviral, and antioxidant effects. Despite these commendable effects, its further advancement and application, especially in clinical use, have been hindered by its limited druggability, including challenges such as low solubility and bioavailability. To enhance its biological activity and pharmaceutical efficacy, numerous research studies focus on the structural modification, associated biological activity data, and underlying mechanisms of glycyrrhetinic acid and its derivatives. This review endeavors to systematically compile and organize glycyrrhetinic acid derivatives that have demonstrated outstanding biological activities over the preceding decade, delineating their molecular structures, biological effects, underlying mechanisms, and future prospects for assisting researchers in finding and designing novel glycyrrhetinic acid derivatives, foster the exploration of structure-activity relationships, and aid in the screening of potential candidate compounds.

A glycyrrhetinic acid-iridium(III) conjugate as a theranostic NIR probe for hepatocellular carcinoma with mitochondrial-targeting ability

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a major contributor to global mortality rates, but current treatment options have limitations. Advanced theranostics are needed to effectively integrate diagnosis and therapeutic of HCC. Glycyrrhetinic acid (GA) has abundant binding sites with glycyrrhetinic acid receptors (GA-Rs) on the surface of HCC cells and has also been reported to possess ligands with mitochondrial-targeting capability but with limited efficacy. Herein, we report a near-infrared (NIR) luminescent theranostic complex 1 through conjugating an iridium(III) complex to GA, which exhibits the desired photophysical properties and promotes mitochondrial-targeting capability. Complex 1 was selectively taken up by HepG2 liver cancer cells and was imaged within mitochondria with NIR emission. Complex 1 targeted mitochondria and opened mitochondrial permeability transition pores (MPTPs), resulting in ROS accumulation, mitochondrial damage, disruption of Bax/Bcl-2 equilibrium, and tumor cell apoptosis, resulting in significantly improved anticancer activity compared to GA. This work offers a methodology for developing multifunctional theranostic probes with amplified specificity and efficacy.

Mechanism of ferroptosis in breast cancer and research progress of natural compounds regulating ferroptosis

Breast cancer is the most prevalent cancer worldwide and its incidence increases with age, posing a significant threat to women's health globally. Due to the clinical heterogeneity of breast cancer, the majority of patients develop drug resistance and metastasis following treatment. Ferroptosis, a form of programmed cell death dependent on iron, is characterized by the accumulation of lipid peroxides, elevated levels of iron ions and lipid peroxidation. The underlying mechanisms and signalling pathways associated with ferroptosis are intricate and interconnected, involving various proteins and enzymes such as the cystine/glutamate antiporter, glutathione peroxidase 4, ferroptosis inhibitor 1 and dihydroorotate dehydrogenase. Consequently, emerging research suggests that ferroptosis may offer a novel target for breast cancer treatment; however, the mechanisms of ferroptosis in breast cancer urgently require resolution. Additionally, certain natural compounds have been reported to induce ferroptosis, thereby interfering with breast cancer. Therefore, this review not only discusses the molecular mechanisms of multiple signalling pathways that mediate ferroptosis in breast cancer (including metastasis, invasion and proliferation) but also elaborates on the mechanisms by which natural compounds induce ferroptosis in breast cancer. Furthermore, this review summarizes potential compound types that may serve as ferroptosis inducers in future tumour cells, providing lead compounds for the development of ferroptosis-inducing agents. Last, this review proposes the potential synergy of combining natural compounds with traditional breast cancer drugs in the treatment of breast cancer, thereby suggesting future directions and offering new insights.

Pentacyclic triterpene-amino acid derivatives induced apoptosis and autophagy in tumor cells, affected the JNK and PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway

A series of pentacyclic triterpene-amino acid derivatives were synthesized and tested for anti-proliferative activity. The results showed that most of the target compounds had good anti-proliferative activity. 2c did not contain protecting groups and hydrochloride, had excellent cytotoxicity, so it had been selected for further study in the mechanism of action in T24 cells. The data from transcriptome sequencing indicated that 2c was found to be closely related to apoptosis and autophagy. Observation of fluorescence staining and analysis from flow cytometry demonstrated that 2c induced apoptosis and cause cell cycle arrest in S/G2 phase in T24 cells. Molecular mechanism studies exhibited that 2c induced apoptosis in the intrinsic and extrinsic pathways. 2c also induced cellular autophagy in T24 cells. Results from Western Blotting showed that 2c could activate JNK pathway and inhibit PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway. In conclusion, 2c was deserved further investigation in the field of anti-tumor.

Compounds targeting ferroptosis in breast cancer: progress and their therapeutic potential

In recent years, there has been a significant increase in the incidence of Breast cancer (BC), making it the most common cancer among women and a major threat to women's health. Consequently, there is an urgent need to discover new and effective strategies for treating BC. Ferroptosis, a novel form of cell death characterized by the accumulation of iron-dependent lipid reactive oxygen species, has emerged as a distinct regulatory pathway separate from necrosis, apoptosis, and autophagy. It is widely recognized as a crucial factor in the development and progression of cancer, offering a promising avenue for BC treatment. While significant progress has been made in understanding the mechanisms of ferroptosis in BC, drug development is still in its early stages. Numerous compounds, including phytochemicals derived from dietary sources and medicinal plants, as well as synthetic drugs (both clinically approved medications and laboratory reagents), have shown the ability to induce ferroptosis in BC cells, effectively inhibiting tumor growth. This comprehensive review aims to examine in detail the compounds that target ferroptosis in BC and elucidate their potential mechanisms of action. Additionally, the challenges associated with the clinical application of ferroptosis-inducing drugs are discussed, offering valuable insights for the development of novel treatment strategies for BC.

Synthesis of Chitosan Oligosaccharide-Loaded Glycyrrhetinic Acid Functionalized Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles and In Vitro Verification of the Treatment of APAP-Induced Liver Injury

OBJECTIVE

the study was to find a suitable treatment for acute drug-induced liver injury. The use of nanocarriers can improve the therapeutic effect of natural drugs by targeting hepatocytes and higher loads.

METHODS

firstly, uniformly dispersed three-dimensional dendritic mesoporous silica nanospheres (MSNs) were synthesized. Glycyrrhetinic acid (GA) was covalently modified on MSN surfaces through amide bond and then loaded with COSM to form drug-loaded nanoparticles (COSM@MSN-NH₂-GA). The constructed drug-loaded nano-delivery system was determined by characterization analysis. Finally, the effect of nano-drug particles on cell viability was evaluated and the cell uptake in vitro was observed.

RESULTS

GA was successfully modified to obtain the spherical nano-carrier MSN-NH₂-GA (≤200 nm). The neutral surface charge improves its biocompatibility. MSN-NH₂-GA has high drug loading (28.36% ± 1.00) because of its suitable specific surface area and pore volume. In vitro cell experiments showed that COSM@MSN-NH₂-GA significantly enhanced the uptake of liver cells (LO2) and decreased the AST and ALT indexes.

CONCLUSION

this study demonstrated for the first time that formulation and delivery schemes using natural drug COSM and nanocarrier MSN have a protective effect on APAP-induced hepatocyte injury. This result provides a potential nano-delivery scheme for the targeted therapy of acute drug-induced liver injury.

Exploring the molecular mechanism of glycyrrhetinic acid in the treatment of gastric cancer based on network pharmacology and experimental validation

There is a wide range of pharmacological effects for glycyrrhetinic acid (GRA). Previous studies have shown that GRA could inhibit the proliferation of tumor cells, showing a promising value in the treatment of gastric cancer (GC). Nonetheless, the precise mechanism of the effect of GRA on GC remains unclear. We explored cellular and molecular mechanisms of GRA based on network pharmacology and in vitro experimental validation. In this study, we predicted 156 potential therapeutic targets for GC with GRA from public databases. We then screened the hub targets using protein-protein interaction network (PPI) and conducted clinical correlation analysis. Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment showed that GRA made anti-GC effects through multiple targets and pathways, particularly the MAPK signaling pathway. Next, molecular docking results revealed a potential interaction between GRA and MAPK3. In addition, qRT-PCR experiments revealed that 18β-GRA was able to suppress mRNA expression of KRAS, ERK1 and ERK2 in AGS cells. Western blotting results also revealed that 18β-GRA was able to suppress the expression of KRAS and p-ERK1/2 proteins in AGS cells. Additionally, immunofluorescence assays revealed that 18β-GRA inhibited p-ERK1/2 nuclear translocation in AGS cells. These results systematically reveal that 18β-GRA may have anti-tumor effects on GC by modulating the MAPK signaling pathway.

Synthesis, molecular docking, and biological evaluation of [3,2-b]indole fused 18β-glycyrrhetinic acid derivatives against skin melanoma

Melanoma, the most serious yet uncommon type of cancer, originates in melanocytes. Risk factors include UV radiation, genetic factors, tanning lamps and beds. Here, we described the synthesis and selective anti melanoma activity of [3,2-b]indole fused 18β-glycyrrhetinic acid, a derivative of 18β-glycyrrhetinic acid in murine B16F10 and A375 human melanoma cell lines. Among the 14 molecules, GPD-12 showed significant selective cytotoxic activity against A375 and B16F10 cell lines with IC50 of 13.38 μM and 15.20 μM respectively. GPD 12 induced the formation of reactive oxygen species in A375 cells that could trigger oxidative stress mediated cell death as is evident from the increased expression of apoptosis related proteins such as caspase-9 and caspase-3 and the increased ratio of Bax to Bcl2. The results showed that GPD 12 can be used as an effective therapeutic agent against melanoma.

Evaluation of the Anticancer Activity and Mechanism Studies of Glycyrrhetic Acid Derivatives toward HeLa Cells

In this paper, a series of glycyrrhetic acid derivatives 3a–3f were synthesized via the esterification reaction. The cytotoxicity of these compounds against five tumor cells (SGC-7901, BEL-7402, A549, HeLa and B16) and normal LO2 cells was investigated using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) method. The results showed that compound 3a exhibited high antiproliferative activity against HeLa cells (IC50 = 11.4 ± 0.2 μM). The anticancer activity was studied through apoptosis, cloning, and scratching; the levels of the intracellular ROS, GSH, and Ca2+; and the change in the mitochondrial membrane potential, cell cycle arrest and RNA sequencing. Furthermore, the effects of compound 3a on gene expression levels and metabolic pathways in HeLa cells were investigated via transcriptomics. The experimental results showed that this compound can block the cell cycle in the S phase and inhibit cell migration by downregulating Focal adhesion kinase (FAK) expression. Moreover, the compound can reduce the intracellular glutathione (GSH) content, increase the Ca2+ level and the intracellular ROS content, and induce a decrease in the mitochondrial membrane potential, further leading to cell death. In addition, it was also found that the mechanism of compounds inducing apoptosis was related to the regulation of the expression of mitochondria-related proteins B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2), Bcl-2-Associated X (Bax), and the activation of the caspase proteins. Taken together, this work provides a help for the development of glycyrrhetinic acid compounds as potential anticancer molecules.

Pharmacological Features of 18β-Glycyrrhetinic Acid: A Pentacyclic Triterpenoid of Therapeutic Potential

Glycyrrhiza glabra L. (belonging to the family Leguminosae), commonly known as Licorice, is a popular medicinal plant that has been used in traditional medicine worldwide for its ethnopharmacological efficacy in treating several ailments. Natural herbal substances with strong biological activity have recently received much attention. The main metabolite of glycyrrhizic acid is 18β-glycyrrhetinic acid (18βGA), a pentacyclic triterpene. A major active plant component derived from licorice root, 18βGA has sparked a lot of attention due to its pharmacological properties. The current review thoroughly examines the literature on 18βGA, a major active plant component obtained from Glycyrrhiza glabra L. The current work provides insight into the pharmacological activities of 18βGA and the potential mechanisms of action involved. The plant contains a variety of phytoconstituents such as 18βGA, which has a variety of biological effects including antiasthmatic, hepatoprotective, anticancer, nephroprotective, antidiabetic, antileishmanial, antiviral, antibacterial, antipsoriasis, antiosteoporosis, antiepileptic, antiarrhythmic, and anti-inflammatory, and is also useful in the management of pulmonary arterial hypertension, antipsychotic-induced hyperprolactinemia, and cerebral ischemia. This review examines research on the pharmacological characteristics of 18βGA throughout recent decades to demonstrate its therapeutic potential and any gaps that may exist, presenting possibilities for future drug research and development.

Self-assembled glycyrrhetinic acid derivatives for functional applications: a review

Glycyrrhetinic acid (GA), a famous natural product, has been attracting more attention recently because of its remarkable biological activity, natural sweetness, and good biocompatibility. In the past few years, a considerable amount of literature has grown up around the theme of GA-based chemical modification to broaden its functional applications. Promising structures including gels, micelles, nanoparticles, liposomes, and so forth have been constantly reported. On the one hand, the assembly mechanisms of various materials based on GA derivatives have been elucidated via modern analytical techniques. On the other hand, their potential application prospects in edible additives, intelligent drug delivery, and other fields have been investigated fully due to availability, biocompatibility, and controllable degradability. Inspired by these findings, a systematic summary and classification of the materials formed by GA derivatives seems necessary and meaningful. This review sums up the new functional applications of GA derivatives for the first time and provides better prospects for their application and development.

Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra L.)-Derived Phytochemicals Target Multiple Signaling Pathways to Confer Oncopreventive and Oncotherapeutic Effects

Cancer is a highly lethal disease, and its incidence has rapidly increased worldwide over the past few decades. Although chemotherapeutics and surgery are widely used in clinical settings, they are often insufficient to provide the cure for cancer patients. Hence, more effective treatment options are highly needed. Although licorice has been used as a medicinal herb since ancient times, the knowledge about molecular mechanisms behind its diverse bioactivities is still rather new. In this review article, different anticancer properties (antiproliferative, antiangiogenic, antimetastatic, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory effects) of various bioactive constituents of licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra L.) are thoroughly described. Multiple licorice constituents have been shown to bind to and inhibit the activities of various cellular targets, including B-cell lymphoma 2, cyclin-dependent kinase 2, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase, c-Jun N-terminal kinases, mammalian target of rapamycin, nuclear factor-κB, signal transducer and activator of transcription 3, vascular endothelial growth factor, and matrix metalloproteinase-3, resulting in reduced carcinogenesis in several in vitro and in vivo models with no evident toxicity. Emerging evidence is bringing forth licorice as an anticancer agent as well as bottlenecks in its potential clinical application. It is expected that overcoming toxicity-related obstacles by using novel nanotechnological methods might importantly facilitate the use of anticancer properties of licorice-derived phytochemicals in the future. Therefore, anticancer studies with licorice components must be continued. Overall, licorice could be a natural alternative to the present medication for eradicating new emergent illnesses while having just minor side effects.

Phytochemicals Targeting Ferroptosis: Therapeutic Opportunities and Prospects for Treating Breast Cancer

Ferroptosis, a recently discovered iron-dependent regulated cell death, has been implicated in the therapeutic responses of various cancers including breast cancer, making it a promising therapeutic target to manage this malignancy. Phytochemicals are conventional sources for medication development. Some phytochemicals have been utilized therapeutically to treat cancers as pharmaceutic agents or dietary supplements. Intriguingly, a considerable number of antitumor drugs derived from phytochemicals have been proven to be targeting ferroptosis, thus producing anticancer effects. In this review, we provide a short overview of the interaction between core ferroptosis modulators and breast cancer, illustrating how ferroptosis affects the destiny of breast cancer cells. We also systematically summarize the regulatory effects of phytochemicals on ferroptosis and emphasize their clinical applications in breast cancer suppression, which may accelerate the development of their therapeutic use in breast cancer.

Recent Advances Regarding the Molecular Mechanisms of Triterpenic Acids: A Review (Part II)

Triterpenic acids are a widespread class of phytocompounds which have been found to possess valuable therapeutic properties such as anticancer, anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective, cardioprotective, antidiabetic, neuroprotective, lipolytic, antiviral, and antiparasitic effects. They are a subclass of triterpenes bearing a characteristic lipophilic structure that imprints unfavorable in vivo properties which subsequently limit their applications. The early investigation of the mechanism of action (MOA) of a drug candidate can provide valuable information regarding the possible side effects and drug interactions that may occur after administration. The current paper aimed to summarize the most recent (last 5 years) studies regarding the MOA of betulinic acid, boswellic acid, glycyrrhetinic acid, madecassic acid, moronic acid, and pomolic acid in order to provide scientists with updated and accessible material on the topic that could contribute to the development of future studies; the paper stands as the sequel of our previously published paper regarding the MOA of triterpenic acids with therapeutic value. The recent literature published on the topic has highlighted the role of triterpenic acids in several signaling pathways including PI3/AKT/mTOR, TNF-alpha/NF-kappa B, JNK-p38, HIF-α/AMPK, and Grb2/Sos/Ras/MAPK, which trigger their various biological activities.

Recent Advances in Glycyrrhetinic Acid-Functionalized Biomaterials for Liver Cancer-Targeting Therapy

Liver cancer is one of the most common causes of cancer mortality worldwide. Chemotherapy and radiotherapy are the conventional therapies generally employed in patients with liver tumors. The major issue associated with the administration of chemotherapeutics is their high toxicity and lack of selectivity, leading to systemic toxicity that can be detrimental to the patient's quality of life. An important approach to the development of original liver-targeted therapeutic products takes advantage of the employment of biologically active ligands able to bind specific receptors on the cytoplasmatic membranes of liver cells. In this perspective, glycyrrhetinic acid (GA), a pentacyclic triterpenoid present in roots and rhizomes of licorice, has been used as a ligand for targeting the liver due to the expression of GA receptors on the sinusoidal surface of mammalian hepatocytes, so it may be employed to modify drug delivery systems (DDSs) and obtain better liver or hepatocyte drug uptake and efficacy. In the current review, we focus on the most recent and interesting research advances in the development of GA-based hybrid compounds and DDSs developed for potential employment as efficacious therapeutic options for the treatment of hepatic cancer.

Lipid based nanoparticles as a novel treatment modality for hepatocellular carcinoma: a comprehensive review on targeting and recent advances

Liver cancer is considered one of the deadliest diseases with one of the highest disease burdens worldwide. Among the different types of liver cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma is considered to be the most common type. Multiple conventional approaches are being used in treating hepatocellular carcinoma. Focusing on drug treatment, regular agents in conventional forms fail to achieve the intended clinical outcomes. In order to improve the treatment outcomes, utilizing nanoparticles-specifically lipid based nanoparticles-are considered to be one of the most promising approaches being set in motion. Multiple forms of lipid based nanoparticles exist including liposomes, solid lipid nanoparticles, nanostructured lipid carriers, microemulsion, nanoemulsion, phytosomes, lipid coated nanoparticles, and nanoassemblies. Multiple approaches are used to enhance the tumor uptake as well tumor specificity such as intratumoral injection, passive targeting, active targeting, and stimuli responsive nanoparticles. In this review, the effect of utilizing lipidic nanoparticles is being discussed as well as the different tumor uptake enhancement techniques used.

Validation of the Antioxidant and Enzyme Inhibitory Potential of Selected Triterpenes Using In Vitro and In Silico Studies, and the Evaluation of Their ADMET Properties

The antioxidant and enzyme inhibitory potential of fifteen cycloartane-type triterpenes’ potentials were investigated using different assays. In the phosphomolybdenum method, cycloalpioside D (6) (4.05 mmol TEs/g) showed the highest activity. In 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH*) radical and 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline)-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS) cation radical scavenging assays, cycloorbicoside A-7-monoacetate (2) (5.03 mg TE/g) and cycloorbicoside B (10) (10.60 mg TE/g) displayed the highest activities, respectively. Oleanolic acid (14) (51.45 mg TE/g) and 3-O-β-d-xylopyranoside-(23R,24S)-16β,23;16α,24-diepoxycycloart-25(26)-en-3β,7β-diol 7-monoacetate (4) (13.25 mg TE/g) revealed the highest reducing power in cupric ion-reducing activity (CUPRAC) and ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assays, respectively. In metal-chelating activity on ferrous ions, compound 2 displayed the highest activity estimated by 41.00 mg EDTAE/g (EDTA equivalents/g). The tested triterpenes showed promising AChE and BChE inhibitory potential with 3-O-β-d-xylopyranoside-(23R,24S)-16β,23;16α,24-diepoxycycloart-25(26)-en-3β,7β-diol 2′,3′,4′,7-tetraacetate (3), exhibiting the highest inhibitory activity as estimated from 5.64 and 5.19 mg GALAE/g (galantamine equivalent/g), respectively. Compound 2 displayed the most potent tyrosinase inhibitory activity (113.24 mg KAE/g (mg kojic acid equivalent/g)). Regarding α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibition, 3-O-β-d-xylopyranoside-(23R,24S)-16β,23;16α,24-diepoxycycloart-25(26)-en-3β,7β-diol (5) (0.55 mmol ACAE/g) and compound 3 (25.18 mmol ACAE/g) exerted the highest activities, respectively. In silico studies focused on compounds 2, 6, and 7 as inhibitors of tyrosinase revealed that compound 2 displayed a good ranking score (−7.069 kcal/mole) and also that the ΔG free-binding energy was the highest among the three selected compounds. From the ADMET/TOPKAT prediction, it can be concluded that compounds 4 and 5 displayed the best pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic behavior, with considerable activity in most of the examined assays.