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Kadasah SF, Radwan MO. Overview of Ursolic Acid Potential for the Treatment of Metabolic Disorders, Autoimmune Diseases, and Cancers via Nuclear Receptor Pathways. Biomedicines 2023; 11:2845. [PMID: 37893218 PMCID: PMC10604592 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11102845] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2023] [Revised: 10/17/2023] [Accepted: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Nuclear receptors (NRs) form a family of druggable transcription factors that are regulated by ligand binding to orchestrate multifaceted physiological functions, including reproduction, immunity, metabolism, and growth. NRs represent attractive and valid targets for the management and treatment of a vast array of ailments. Pentacyclic triterpenes (PTs) are ubiquitously distributed natural products in medicinal and aromatic plants, of which ursolic acid (UA) is an extensively studied member, due to its diverse bio-pertinent activities against different cancers, inflammation, aging, obesity, diabetes, dyslipidemia, and liver injury. In fact, PTs share a common lipophilic structure that resembles NRs' endogenous ligands. Herein, we present a review of the literature on UA's effect on NRs, showcasing the resulting health benefits and potential therapeutic outcomes. De facto, UA exhibited numerous pharmacodynamic effects on PPAR, LXR, FXR, and PXR, resulting in remarkable anti-inflammatory, anti-hyperlipidemic, and hepatoprotective properties, by lowering lipid accumulation in hepatocytes and mitigating non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and its subsequent liver fibrosis. Furthermore, UA reversed valproate and rifampicin-induced hepatic lipid accumulation. Additionally, UA showed great promise for the treatment of autoimmune inflammatory diseases such as multiple sclerosis and autoimmune arthritis by antagonizing RORγ. UA exhibited antiproliferative effects against skin, prostate, and breast cancers, partially via PPARα and RORγ pathways. Herein, for the first time, we explore and provide insights into UA bioactivity with respect to NR modulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sultan F. Kadasah
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Bisha, P.O. Box 551, Bisha 61922, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohamed O. Radwan
- Medicinal and Biological Chemistry Science Farm Joint Research Laboratory, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto 862-0973, Japan
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Egbuna C, Patrick‐Iwuanyanwu KC, Onyeike EN, Khan J, Palai S, Patel SB, Parmar VK, Kushwaha G, Singh O, Jeevanandam J, Kumarasamy S, Uche CZ, Narayanan M, Rudrapal M, Odoh U, Chikeokwu I, Găman M, Saravanan K, Ifemeje JC, Ezzat SM, Olisah MC, Chikwendu CJ, Adedokun KA, Imodoye SO, Bello IO, Twinomuhwezi H, Awuchi CG. Phytochemicals and bioactive compounds effective against acute myeloid leukemia: A systematic review. Food Sci Nutr 2023; 11:4191-4210. [PMID: 37457145 PMCID: PMC10345688 DOI: 10.1002/fsn3.3420] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2023] [Revised: 04/24/2023] [Accepted: 04/25/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023] Open
Abstract
This systematic review identified various bioactive compounds which have the potential to serve as novel drugs or leads against acute myeloid leukemia. Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a heterogeneous hematopoietic malignancy that arises from the dysregulation of cell differentiation, proliferation, and cell death. The risk factors associated with the onset of AML include long-term exposure to radiation and chemicals such as benzene, smoking, genetic disorders, blood disorders, advancement in age, and others. Although novel strategies to manage AML, including a refinement of the conventional chemotherapy regimens, hypomethylating agents, and molecular targeted drugs, have been developed in recent years, resistance and relapse remain the main clinical problems. In this study, three databases, PubMed/MEDLINE, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar, were systematically searched to identify various bioactive compounds with antileukemic properties. A total of 518 articles were identified, out of which 59 were viewed as eligible for the current report. From the data extracted, over 60 bioactive compounds were identified and divided into five major groups: flavonoids, alkaloids, organosulfur compounds, terpenes, and terpenoids, and other known and emerging bioactive compounds. The mechanism of actions of the analyzed individual bioactive molecules differs remarkably and includes disrupting chromatin structure, upregulating the synthesis of certain DNA repair proteins, inducing cell cycle arrest and apoptosis, and inhibiting/regulating Hsp90 activities, DNA methyltransferase 1, and histone deacetylase 1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chukwuebuka Egbuna
- Africa Centre of Excellence for Public Health and Toxicological Research (ACE‐PUTOR)University of Port HarcourtPort HarcourtNigeria
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of ScienceUniversity of Port HarcourtPort HarcourtNigeria
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Natural SciencesChukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu UniversityAnambraNigeria
| | - Kingsley C. Patrick‐Iwuanyanwu
- Africa Centre of Excellence for Public Health and Toxicological Research (ACE‐PUTOR)University of Port HarcourtPort HarcourtNigeria
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of ScienceUniversity of Port HarcourtPort HarcourtNigeria
| | - Eugene N. Onyeike
- Africa Centre of Excellence for Public Health and Toxicological Research (ACE‐PUTOR)University of Port HarcourtPort HarcourtNigeria
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of ScienceUniversity of Port HarcourtPort HarcourtNigeria
| | - Johra Khan
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical SciencesMajmaah UniversityAl MajmaahSaudi Arabia
| | - Santwana Palai
- Department of Veterinary Pharmacology & Toxicology, College of Veterinary Science and Animal HusbandryOUATOdishaBhubaneswarIndia
| | - Sandip B. Patel
- Department of PharmacologyL.M. College of Pharmacy, NavrangpuraAhmedabadIndia
| | | | - Garima Kushwaha
- Department of BiotechnologyIndian Institute of TechnologyRoorkeeIndia
| | - Omkar Singh
- Department of Chemical EngineeringIndian Institute of Technology MadrasChennaiIndia
| | - Jaison Jeevanandam
- CQM—Centro de Química da MadeiraUniversidade da Madeira, Campus da PenteadaFunchalPortugal
| | | | - Chukwuemelie Zedech Uche
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Basic Medical SciencesUniversity of NigeriaEnuguNsukkaNigeria
| | - Mathiyazhagan Narayanan
- Division of Research and InnovationDepartment of Biotecnology, Saveetha School of Engineering SIMATSTamil NaduChennaiIndia
| | - Mithun Rudrapal
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical SciencesVignan’s Foundation for Science, Technology & ResearchGunturIndia
| | - Uchenna Odoh
- Department of Pharmacognosy and Environmental Medicines, Faculty of Pharmaceutical SciencesUniversity of NigeriaNsukkaNigeria
| | - Ikenna Chikeokwu
- Department of PharmacognosyEnugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT)Agbani Enugu StateEnuguNigeria
| | - Mihnea‐Alexandru Găman
- Faculty of Medicine"Carol Davila" University of Medicine and PharmacyBucharestRomania
- Department of HematologyCenter of Hematology and Bone Marrow TransplantationBucharestRomania
| | - Kaliyaperumal Saravanan
- PG and Research Department of ZoologyNehru Memorial College (Autonomous), Puthanampatti (Affiliated to Bharathidasan University)Tamil NaduTiruchirappalliIndia
| | - Jonathan C. Ifemeje
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Natural SciencesChukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu UniversityAnambraNigeria
| | - Shahira M. Ezzat
- Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of PharmacyCairo UniversityCairoEgypt
- Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of PharmacyOctober University for Modern Sciences and Arts (MSA)GizaEgypt
| | - Michael C. Olisah
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Faculty of Basic Medical SciencesChukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Uli CampusAnambraNigeria
| | - Chukwudi Jude Chikwendu
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Natural SciencesChukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu UniversityAnambraNigeria
| | - Kamoru A. Adedokun
- Department of ImmunologyRoswell Park Comprehensive Cancer CenterNew YorkBuffaloUSA
| | - Sikiru O. Imodoye
- Department of Oncological Sciences, Huntsman Cancer InstituteUniversity of UtahUtahSalt Lake CityUSA
| | - Ibrahim O. Bello
- Department of Biological SciencesSouthern Illinois University EdwardsvilleIllinoisEdwardsvilleUSA
| | - Hannington Twinomuhwezi
- Department of ChemistryKyambogo University, KyambogoKampalaUganda
- School of Natural and Applied SciencesKampala International UniversityKampalaUganda
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3
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Iweala EJ, Oluwapelumi AE, Dania OE, Ugbogu EA. Bioactive Phytoconstituents and Their Therapeutic Potentials in the Treatment of Haematological Cancers: A Review. Life (Basel) 2023; 13:1422. [PMID: 37511797 PMCID: PMC10381774 DOI: 10.3390/life13071422] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2022] [Revised: 02/12/2023] [Accepted: 02/15/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Haematological (blood) cancers are the cancers of the blood and lymphoid forming tissues which represents approximately 10% of all cancers. It has been reported that approximately 60% of all blood cancers are incurable. Despite substantial improvement in access to detection/diagnosis, chemotherapy and bone marrow transplantation, there is still high recurrence and unpredictable but clearly defined relapses indicating that effective therapies are still lacking. Over the past two decades, medicinal plants and their biologically active compounds are being used as potential remedies and alternative therapies for the treatment of cancer. This is due to their anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-mutagenic, anti-angiogenic, anti-cancer activities and negligible side effects. These bioactive compounds have the capacity to reduce proliferation of haematological cancers via various mechanisms such as promoting apoptosis, transcription regulation, inhibition of signalling pathways, downregulating receptors and blocking cell cycle. This review study highlights the mechanistic and beneficial effects of nine bioactive compounds (quercetin, ursolic acid, fisetin, resveratrol, epigallocatechin gallate, curcumin, gambogic acid, butein and celastrol) as potential remedies for chemoprevention of haematological cancers. The study provides useful insights on the effectiveness of the use of bioactive compounds from plants for chemoprevention of haematological cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emeka J Iweala
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Science and Technology, Covenant University, Ota PMB 1023, Ogun State, Nigeria
- Covenant Applied Informatics and Communication African Centre of Excellence (CApIC-ACE), Covenant University, Ota PMB 1023, Ogun State, Nigeria
| | - Adurosakin E Oluwapelumi
- Department of Microbiology, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso PMB 4000, Oyo State, Nigeria
| | - Omoremime E Dania
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Science and Technology, Covenant University, Ota PMB 1023, Ogun State, Nigeria
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Sandhu SS, Rouz SK, Kumar S, Swamy N, Deshmukh L, Hussain A, Haque S, Tuli HS. Ursolic acid: a pentacyclic triterpenoid that exhibits anticancer therapeutic potential by modulating multiple oncogenic targets. Biotechnol Genet Eng Rev 2023:1-31. [PMID: 36600517 DOI: 10.1080/02648725.2022.2162257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2022] [Accepted: 12/20/2022] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
The world is currently facing a global challenge against neoplastic diseases. Chemotherapy, hormonal therapy, surgery, and radiation therapy are some approaches used to treat cancer. However, these treatments are frequently causing side effects in patients, such as multidrug resistance, fever, weakness, and allergy, among others side effects. As a result, current research has focused on phytochemical compounds isolated from plants to treat deadly cancers. Plants are excellent resources of bioactive molecules, and many natural molecules have exceptional anticancer properties. They produce diverse anticancer derivatives such as alkaloids, terpenoids, flavonoids, pigments, and tannins, which have powerful anticancer activities against various cancer cell lines and animal models. Because of their safety, eco-friendly, and cost-effective nature, research communities have recently focused on various phytochemical bioactive molecules. Ursolic acid (UA) and its derivative compounds have anti-inflammatory, anticancer, apoptosis induction, anti-carcinogenic, and anti-breast cancer proliferation properties. Ursolic acid (UA) can improve the clinical management of human cancer because it inhibits cancer cell viability and proliferation, preventing tumour angiogenesis and metastatic activity. Therefore, the present article focuses on numerous bioactivities of Ursolic acid (UA), which can inhibit cancer cell production, mechanism of action, and modulation of anticancer properties via regulating various cellular processes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sharareh Khorami Rouz
- School of Life Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
| | - Suneel Kumar
- Bio-Design Innovation Centre, Rani Durgavati University, Jabalpur, India
| | - Nitin Swamy
- Fungal Biotechnology and Invertebrate Pathology Laboratory Department of Biological Sciences, Rani Durgavati University, Jabalpur, India
| | - Loknath Deshmukh
- School of Life and Allied Science, ITM University, Raipur, India
| | - Arif Hussain
- School of Life Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
| | - Shafiul Haque
- Research and Scientific Studies Unit, College of Nursing and Allied Health Sciences, Jazan University, Jazan, Saudi Arabia
- Arabia and Centre of Medical and Bio-Allied Health Sciences Research, Ajman University, Ajman, United Arab Emirates
| | - Hardeep Singh Tuli
- Department of Biotechnology, Maharishi Markandeshwar (Deemed to be University), Mullana, Ambala, Haryana, India
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Egbuna C, Patrick-Iwuanyanwu KC, Onyeike EN, Khan J, Alshehri B. FMS-like tyrosine kinase-3 (FLT3) inhibitors with better binding affinity and ADMET properties than sorafenib and gilteritinib against acute myeloid leukemia: in silico studies. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2022; 40:12248-12259. [PMID: 34486940 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2021.1969286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Over 30-35% of patients down with AML are caused by mutations of FLT3-ITD and FLT3-TKD which keeps the protein activated while it activates other signaling proteins downstream that are involved in cell proliferation, differentiation, and survival. As drug targets, many inhibitors are already in clinical practice. Unfortunately, the average overall survival rate for patients on medication suffering from AML is 5 years despite the huge efforts in this field. To perform docking simulation and ADMET studies on selected phytochemicals against FLT3 protein receptor for drug discovery against FLT3 induced AML, molecular docking simulation was performed using human FLT3 protein target (PDB ID: 6JQR) and 313 phytochemicals with standard anticancer drugs (Sorafenib and Gilteritinib in addition to other anticancer drugs). The crystal structure of the protein was downloaded from the protein data bank and prepared using Biovia Discovery Studio. The chemical structures of the phytochemicals were downloaded from the NCBI PubChem database and prepared using Open Babel and VConf softwares. Molecular docking was performed using PyRx on Autodock Vina. The ADMET properties of the best performing compounds were calculated using SwissADME and pkCMS web servers. The results obtained showed that glabridin, ellipticine and derivatives (elliptinium and 9-methoxyellipticine), mezerein, ursolic acid, formononetin, cycloartocarpesin, hypericin, silymarin, and indirubin are the best performing compounds better than sorafenib and gilteritinib based on their binding affinities. The top-performing compounds which had better binding and ADMET properties than sorafenib and gilteritinib could serve as scaffolds or leads for new drug discovery against FLT3 induced AML.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chukwuebuka Egbuna
- Africa Centre of Excellence in Public Health and Toxicological Research (ACE-PUTOR), University of Port-Harcourt, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria.,Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Port Harcourt, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria.,Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Uli, Anambra State, Nigeria
| | - Kingsley C Patrick-Iwuanyanwu
- Africa Centre of Excellence in Public Health and Toxicological Research (ACE-PUTOR), University of Port-Harcourt, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria.,Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Port Harcourt, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria
| | - Eugene N Onyeike
- Africa Centre of Excellence in Public Health and Toxicological Research (ACE-PUTOR), University of Port-Harcourt, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria.,Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Port Harcourt, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria
| | - Johra Khan
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Majmaah University, Majmaah, Saudia Arabia.,Health and Basic Sciences Research Center, Majmaah University, Majmaah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Bader Alshehri
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Majmaah University, Majmaah, Saudia Arabia.,Health and Basic Sciences Research Center, Majmaah University, Majmaah, Saudi Arabia
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Jit BP, Pradhan B, Dash R, Bhuyan PP, Behera C, Behera RK, Sharma A, Alcaraz M, Jena M. Phytochemicals: Potential Therapeutic Modulators of Radiation Induced Signaling Pathways. Antioxidants (Basel) 2021; 11:antiox11010049. [PMID: 35052553 PMCID: PMC8773162 DOI: 10.3390/antiox11010049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2021] [Revised: 12/22/2021] [Accepted: 12/24/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Ionizing radiation results in extensive damage to biological systems. The massive amount of ionizing radiation from nuclear accidents, radiation therapy (RT), space exploration, and the nuclear battlefield leads to damage to biological systems. Radiation injuries, such as inflammation, fibrosis, and atrophy, are characterized by genomic instability, apoptosis, necrosis, and oncogenic transformation, mediated by the activation or inhibition of specific signaling pathways. Exposure of tumors or normal cells to different doses of ionizing radiation could lead to the generation of free radical species, which can release signal mediators and lead to harmful effects. Although previous FDA-approved agents effectively mitigate radiation-associated toxicities, their use is limited due to their high cellular toxicities. Preclinical and clinical findings reveal that phytochemicals derived from plants that exhibit potent antioxidant activities efficiently target several signaling pathways. This review examined the prospective roles played by some phytochemicals in altering signal pathways associated with radiation response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bimal Prasad Jit
- School of Life Sciences, Sambalpur University, Jyoti Vihar, Burla 768019, India; (B.P.J.); (R.D.); (R.K.B.)
- Department of Biochemistry, AIIMS, Ansari Nagar, New Delhi 110029, India;
| | - Biswajita Pradhan
- Algal Biotechnology and Molecular Systematic Laboratory, Post Graduate Department of Botany, Berhampur University, Bhanja Bihar, Berhampur 760007, India; (B.P.); (C.B.)
- Department of Biotechnology, Sangmyung University, Seoul 03016, Korea
| | - Rutumbara Dash
- School of Life Sciences, Sambalpur University, Jyoti Vihar, Burla 768019, India; (B.P.J.); (R.D.); (R.K.B.)
| | - Prajna Paramita Bhuyan
- Department of Botany, Maharaja Sriram Chandra Bhanja Deo University, Baripada 757003, India;
| | - Chhandashree Behera
- Algal Biotechnology and Molecular Systematic Laboratory, Post Graduate Department of Botany, Berhampur University, Bhanja Bihar, Berhampur 760007, India; (B.P.); (C.B.)
| | - Rajendra Kumar Behera
- School of Life Sciences, Sambalpur University, Jyoti Vihar, Burla 768019, India; (B.P.J.); (R.D.); (R.K.B.)
| | - Ashok Sharma
- Department of Biochemistry, AIIMS, Ansari Nagar, New Delhi 110029, India;
| | - Miguel Alcaraz
- Radiology and Physical Medicine Department, School of Medicine, Campus de Excelencia Internacional de Ámbito Regional (CEIR)-Campus Mare Nostrum (CMN), Universidad de Murcia, 30100 Murcia, Spain
- Correspondence: (M.A.); (M.J.); Tel.: +34-868883601 (M.A.); +91-7978478950 (M.J.)
| | - Mrutyunjay Jena
- Algal Biotechnology and Molecular Systematic Laboratory, Post Graduate Department of Botany, Berhampur University, Bhanja Bihar, Berhampur 760007, India; (B.P.); (C.B.)
- Correspondence: (M.A.); (M.J.); Tel.: +34-868883601 (M.A.); +91-7978478950 (M.J.)
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Haque A, Brazeau D, Amin AR. Perspectives on natural compounds in chemoprevention and treatment of cancer: an update with new promising compounds. Eur J Cancer 2021; 149:165-183. [PMID: 33865202 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejca.2021.03.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2021] [Revised: 03/04/2021] [Accepted: 03/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Cancer is the second deadliest disease worldwide. Although recent advances applying precision treatments with targeted (molecular and immune) agents are promising, the histological and molecular heterogeneity of cancer cells and huge mutational burdens (intrinsic or acquired after therapy) leading to drug resistance and treatment failure are posing continuous challenges. These recent advances do not negate the need for alternative approaches such as chemoprevention, the pharmacological approach to reverse, suppress or prevent the initial phases of carcinogenesis or the progression of premalignant cells to invasive disease by using non-toxic agents. Although data are limited, the success of several clinical trials in preventing cancer in high-risk populations suggests that chemoprevention is a rational, appealing and viable strategy to prevent carcinogenesis. Particularly among higher-risk groups, the use of safe, non-toxic agents is the utmost consideration because these individuals have not yet developed invasive disease. Natural dietary compounds present in fruits, vegetables and spices are especially attractive for chemoprevention and treatment because of their easy availability, high margin of safety, relatively low cost and widespread human consumption. Hundreds of such compounds have been widely investigated for chemoprevention and treatment in the last few decades. Previously, we reviewed the most widely studied natural compounds and their molecular mechanisms, which were highly exploited by the cancer research community. In the time since our initial review, many promising new compounds have been identified. In this review, we critically review these promising new natural compounds, their molecular targets and mechanisms of anticancer activity that may create novel opportunities for further design and conduct of preclinical and clinical studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abedul Haque
- Department of Hematopathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Daniel Brazeau
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, Administration and Research, School of Pharmacy, Marshall University, Huntington, WV, 25701, USA
| | - Arm R Amin
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research, School of Pharmacy, Marshall University, Huntington, WV, 25701, USA.
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Malík M, Velechovský J, Tlustoš P. Natural pentacyclic triterpenoid acids potentially useful as biocompatible nanocarriers. Fitoterapia 2021; 151:104845. [PMID: 33684460 DOI: 10.1016/j.fitote.2021.104845] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2020] [Revised: 01/29/2021] [Accepted: 01/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The importance of natural raw materials has grown recently because of their ready availability, renewable nature, biocompatibility and controllable degradability. One such group of plant-derived substances includes the triterpenoid acids, terpenic compounds consisting of six isoprene units, a carboxyl group and other functional groups producing various isomers. Most can be easily extracted from different parts of the plant and modified successfully. By themselves or as aglycones (genins) of triterpene saponins, they have potentially useful pharmaceutical activity. This review focuses on the supramolecular properties of triterpenoid acids with regard to their subsequent use as biocompatible nanocarriers. The review also considers the current list of pentacyclic triterpene acids for which molecular self-assembly has been confirmed without the need for structural modification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matěj Malík
- Department of Agroenvironmental Chemistry and Plant Nutrition, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamýcká 129, 165 00 Praha 6 - Suchdol, Czech Republic.
| | - Jiří Velechovský
- Department of Agroenvironmental Chemistry and Plant Nutrition, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamýcká 129, 165 00 Praha 6 - Suchdol, Czech Republic.
| | - Pavel Tlustoš
- Department of Agroenvironmental Chemistry and Plant Nutrition, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamýcká 129, 165 00 Praha 6 - Suchdol, Czech Republic.
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Ursolic Acid Inhibits Collective Cell Migration and Promotes JNK-Dependent Lysosomal Associated Cell Death in Glioblastoma Multiforme Cells. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2021; 14:ph14020091. [PMID: 33530486 PMCID: PMC7911358 DOI: 10.3390/ph14020091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2020] [Revised: 01/19/2021] [Accepted: 01/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Ursolic acid (UA) is a bioactive compound which has demonstrated therapeutic efficacy in a variety of cancer cell lines. UA activates various signalling pathways in Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) and offers a promising starting point in drug discovery; however, understanding the relationship between cell death and migration has yet to be elucidated. UA induces a dose dependent cytotoxic response demonstrated by flow cytometry and biochemical cytotoxicity assays. Inhibitor and fluorescent probe studies demonstrate that UA induces a caspase independent, JNK dependent, mechanism of cell death. Migration studies established that UA inhibits GBM collective cell migration in a time dependent manner that is independent of the JNK signalling pathway. Cytotoxicity induced by UA results in the formation of acidic vesicle organelles (AVOs), speculating the activation of autophagy. However, inhibitor and spectrophotometric analysis demonstrated that autophagy was not responsible for the formation of the AVOs. Confocal microscopy and isosurface visualisation determined co-localisation of lysosomes with the previously identified AVOs, thus providing evidence that lysosomes are likely to be playing a role in UA induced cell death. Collectively, our data identify that UA rapidly induces a lysosomal associated mechanism of cell death in addition to UA acting as an inhibitor of GBM collective cell migration.
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Maphanao P, Thanan R, Loilome W, Chio-Srichan S, Wongwattanakul M, Sakonsinsiri C. Synchrotron FTIR microspectroscopy revealed apoptosis-induced biomolecular changes of cholangiocarcinoma cells treated with ursolic acid. Biochim Biophys Acta Gen Subj 2020; 1864:129708. [PMID: 32810561 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagen.2020.129708] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2020] [Revised: 07/23/2020] [Accepted: 08/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ursolic acid (UA) is a natural triterpenoid which possesses anti-cancer activity. However, little is known regarding the activity and molecular mechanism of UA in cholangiocarcinoma (CCA). Thus, we investigated the effects of UA on growth inhibition and apoptosis induction through biomolecular changes in KKU-213 and KKU-055 CCA cell lines. METHODS The anti-proliferative effect of UA against CCA cells was evaluated using SRB assay. Changes in biomolecules were assessed by SR-FTIR microspectroscopy combined with PCA and conventional methods (i.e., Annexin V-FITC/PI staining for lipid alteration and apoptosis induction; Western blot analysis and caspase-3/7 activity assay for apoptotic protein detection). RESULTS UA suppressed the proliferation of CCA cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner. SR-FTIR data revealed a significant alteration in lipids attributable to changes in apoptotic cell membranes, confirmed by Annexin V-FITC/PI staining. SR-FTIR data showed that UA promoted changes in the protein secondary structure. Elevated expression of Bax and decreased expression of Bcl-2 and survivin/BIRC5 along with augmented caspase-3/7 activity supported alterations in apoptosis-related proteins. CONCLUSIONS SR-FTIR microspectroscopy was successfully used as a label-free technique to monitor apoptosis-induced biomolecular changes in UA-treated CCA cells. UA exerted the cytotoxic and apoptotic activities in CCA cells through alterations in membrane lipids and apoptotic proteins. UA could be a potential anti-CCA candidate and a chemical starting point for the discovery of novel anti-cancer agents. SIGNIFICANCE Our present study showed the first evidence that UA exhibited the anti-proliferative and pro-apoptotic activities toward CCA cells through changes in biomolecules, notably lipids and proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pornpattra Maphanao
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002, Thailand; Cholangiocarcinoma Research Institute, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002, Thailand
| | - Raynoo Thanan
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002, Thailand; Cholangiocarcinoma Research Institute, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002, Thailand
| | - Watcharin Loilome
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002, Thailand; Cholangiocarcinoma Research Institute, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002, Thailand
| | - Sirinart Chio-Srichan
- Synchrotron Light Research Institute (Public Organization), Nakhon Ratchasima, 30000, Thailand
| | - Molin Wongwattanakul
- Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002, Thailand; Center for Innovation and Standard for Medical Technology and Physical Therapy, Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002, Thailand
| | - Chadamas Sakonsinsiri
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002, Thailand; Cholangiocarcinoma Research Institute, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002, Thailand.
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The ERK-MNK-eIF4F signaling pathway mediates TPDHT-induced A549 cell death in vitro and in vivo. Food Chem Toxicol 2020; 137:111158. [DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2020.111158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2019] [Revised: 01/20/2020] [Accepted: 01/22/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
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Luo H, Vong CT, Chen H, Gao Y, Lyu P, Qiu L, Zhao M, Liu Q, Cheng Z, Zou J, Yao P, Gao C, Wei J, Ung COL, Wang S, Zhong Z, Wang Y. Naturally occurring anti-cancer compounds: shining from Chinese herbal medicine. Chin Med 2019; 14:48. [PMID: 31719837 PMCID: PMC6836491 DOI: 10.1186/s13020-019-0270-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 256] [Impact Index Per Article: 51.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2019] [Accepted: 10/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Numerous natural products originated from Chinese herbal medicine exhibit anti-cancer activities, including anti-proliferative, pro-apoptotic, anti-metastatic, anti-angiogenic effects, as well as regulate autophagy, reverse multidrug resistance, balance immunity, and enhance chemotherapy in vitro and in vivo. To provide new insights into the critical path ahead, we systemically reviewed the most recent advances (reported since 2011) on the key compounds with anti-cancer effects derived from Chinese herbal medicine (curcumin, epigallocatechin gallate, berberine, artemisinin, ginsenoside Rg3, ursolic acid, silibinin, emodin, triptolide, cucurbitacin B, tanshinone I, oridonin, shikonin, gambogic acid, artesunate, wogonin, β-elemene, and cepharanthine) in scientific databases (PubMed, Web of Science, Medline, Scopus, and Clinical Trials). With a broader perspective, we focused on their recently discovered and/or investigated pharmacological effects, novel mechanism of action, relevant clinical studies, and their innovative applications in combined therapy and immunomodulation. In addition, the present review has extended to describe other promising compounds including dihydroartemisinin, ginsenoside Rh2, compound K, cucurbitacins D, E, I, tanshinone IIA and cryptotanshinone in view of their potentials in cancer therapy. Up to now, the evidence about the immunomodulatory effects and clinical trials of natural anti-cancer compounds from Chinese herbal medicine is very limited, and further research is needed to monitor their immunoregulatory effects and explore their mechanisms of action as modulators of immune checkpoints.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hua Luo
- Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, University of Macau, Macao, China
| | - Chi Teng Vong
- Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, University of Macau, Macao, China
| | - Hanbin Chen
- Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, University of Macau, Macao, China
| | - Yan Gao
- Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, University of Macau, Macao, China
| | - Peng Lyu
- Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, University of Macau, Macao, China
| | - Ling Qiu
- Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, University of Macau, Macao, China
| | - Mingming Zhao
- Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, University of Macau, Macao, China
| | - Qiao Liu
- Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, University of Macau, Macao, China
| | - Zehua Cheng
- Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, University of Macau, Macao, China
| | - Jian Zou
- Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, University of Macau, Macao, China
| | - Peifen Yao
- Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, University of Macau, Macao, China
| | - Caifang Gao
- Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, University of Macau, Macao, China
| | - Jinchao Wei
- Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, University of Macau, Macao, China
| | - Carolina Oi Lam Ung
- Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, University of Macau, Macao, China
| | - Shengpeng Wang
- Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, University of Macau, Macao, China
| | - Zhangfeng Zhong
- Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, University of Macau, Macao, China
| | - Yitao Wang
- Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, University of Macau, Macao, China
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Xiang F, Fan Y, Ni Z, Liu Q, Zhu Z, Chen Z, Hao W, Yue H, Wu R, Kang X. Ursolic Acid Reverses the Chemoresistance of Breast Cancer Cells to Paclitaxel by Targeting MiRNA-149-5p/MyD88. Front Oncol 2019; 9:501. [PMID: 31259152 PMCID: PMC6587017 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2019.00501] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2019] [Accepted: 05/28/2019] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Paclitaxel (PTX) is widely used as a front-line chemotherapy for breast cancer treatment. However, its clinical applications are limited by the development of chemoresistance. The objective of this study was to investigate the reversal effects of ursolic acid (UA) on PTX resistance and the possible mechanisms in breast cancer. The role of miRNA-149-5p/MyD88 in the regulation of PTX resistance was investigated by the transfection of breast cancer cells with MDA-MB-231 (231) and MDA-MB-231/PTX-resistance (231/PTX) with lentiviruses carrying the MyD88 gene, shRNA specific for MyD88, the miR-149-5p gene, and shRNA specific for miR-149-5p. The PTX sensitivity was assessed by a CCK-8 assay. qRT-PCR and Western blot analyses were used to detect changes in the mRNA and protein levels. Flow cytometry was used to measure the rate of cell apoptosis. A luciferase activity assay was used to detect the binding site of miR-149-5p on the 3'UTR of MyD88. 231/PTX cells were injected into the flanks of female athymic nude mice, and the mice were randomly divided into the five following groups: PBS, PTX (low), PTX (high), UA, and PTX+UA. Our data show that UA reversed the resistance of breast cancer 231/PTX cells to PTX in vitro and in vivo. UA treatment significantly increased the expression of miR-149-5p, which was lower in 231/PTX cells than in 231 cells. Furthermore, the overexpression of miR-149-5p increased the sensitivity of 231/PTX cells to PTX treatment, whereas the knockdown of the miR-149-5p gene attenuated the effects of UA on the regulation of PTX sensitivity. A luciferase assay demonstrated that miR-149-5p could directly regulate the transcriptional activity of MyD88, a known PTX-resistance gene, by targeting the 3'UTR of MyD88. Meanwhile, the downregulation of MyD88 through the overexpression of miR-149-5p or UA treatment inhibited the activation of the Akt signaling pathway in 231/PTX cells. Thus, our data indicate that UA can reverse PTX resistance by targeting the miRNA-149-5p/MyD88 axis in breast cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fenfen Xiang
- Laboratory Medicine, Putuo Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yan Fan
- Laboratory Medicine, Putuo Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhenhua Ni
- Central Laboratory, Putuo Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Qiaoli Liu
- Laboratory Medicine, Putuo Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhaowei Zhu
- Laboratory Medicine, Putuo Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Zixi Chen
- Laboratory Medicine, Putuo Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Wenbin Hao
- Laboratory Medicine, Putuo Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Honghong Yue
- Laboratory Medicine, Putuo Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Rong Wu
- Laboratory Medicine, Putuo Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiangdong Kang
- Laboratory Medicine, Putuo Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
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Chen CJ, Shih YL, Yeh MY, Liao NC, Chung HY, Liu KL, Lee MH, Chou PY, Hou HY, Chou JS, Chung JG. Ursolic Acid Induces Apoptotic Cell Death Through AIF and Endo G Release Through a Mitochondria-dependent Pathway in NCI-H292 Human Lung Cancer Cells In Vitro. In Vivo 2019; 33:383-391. [PMID: 30804116 PMCID: PMC6506288 DOI: 10.21873/invivo.11485] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2018] [Revised: 12/10/2018] [Accepted: 12/12/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIM Ursolic acid (UA), a triterpene compound present in natural plants, has been shown to induce cytotoxic effects on many human cancer cells through induction of cell-cycle arrest and apoptosis. This study investigated the effects of UA on human lung cancer NCI-H292 cells in vitro. MATERIALS AND METHODS Flow cytometric assay was used to measure the percentage of cell viability, apoptotic cell death by double staining of annexin V and propidium iodide (PI), production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and Ca2+, and mitochondriaI membrane potential (Ψm). UA-induced chromatin condensation and DNA fragmentation were examined by 4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole staining and DNA gel electrophoresis, respectively. Western blotting was used to examine the changes of apoptosis-associated protein expression in NCI-H292 cells. RESULTS UA reduced cell viability and induced apoptotic cell death. UA increased Ca2+ production, reduced Ψm, but did not affect ROS production in NCI-H292 cells. UA increased apoptosis-inducing factor (AIF) and endonuclease G in NCI-H292 cells. CONCLUSION Based on these observations, we suggest UA induces apoptotic cell death via AIF and Endo G release through a mitochondria-dependent pathway in NCI-H292 cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiung-Ju Chen
- Jen-Teh Junior College of Medicine, Nursing and Management, Miaoli, Taiwan, R.O.C
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Shin Kong Wu Ho-Su Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, R.O.C
| | - Yung-Luen Shih
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Shin Kong Wu Ho-Su Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, R.O.C
- School of Medical Laboratory Science and Biotechnology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan, R.O.C
- School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Fu-Jen Catholic University, New Taipei, Taiwan, R.O.C
| | - Ming-Yang Yeh
- Department of Education and Research, Cheng-Hsin General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, R.O.C
| | - Nien-Chieh Liao
- Department of Clinical Pathology, Cheng-Hsin General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, R.O.C
| | - Hsueh-Yu Chung
- Jen-Teh Junior College of Medicine, Nursing and Management, Miaoli, Taiwan, R.O.C
| | - Ko-Lin Liu
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Shin Kong Wu Ho-Su Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, R.O.C
| | - Mei-Hui Lee
- Department of Genetic Counseling Center, Changhua Christian Hospital, Changhua, Taiwan, R.O.C
| | - Pei-Yi Chou
- Department of Clinical Pathology, Cheng-Hsin General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, R.O.C
| | - Hsin-Yu Hou
- Department of Clinical Pathology, Cheng-Hsin General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, R.O.C
| | - Jiann-Shang Chou
- Department of Pathology, Cheng-Hsin General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, R.O.C.
| | - Jing-Gung Chung
- Department of Biological Science and Technology, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan, R.O.C.
- Department of Biotechnology, Asia University, Taichung, Taiwan, R.O.C
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Zou J, Lin J, Li C, Zhao R, Fan L, Yu J, Shao J. Ursolic Acid in Cancer Treatment and Metastatic Chemoprevention: From Synthesized Derivatives to Nanoformulations in Preclinical Studies. Curr Cancer Drug Targets 2019; 19:245-256. [PMID: 30332961 DOI: 10.2174/1568009618666181016145940] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2017] [Revised: 03/15/2018] [Accepted: 06/22/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cancer metastasis has emerged as a major public health threat that causes majority of cancer fatalities. Traditional chemotherapeutics have been effective in the past but suffer from low therapeutic efficiency and harmful side-effects. Recently, it has been reported ursolic acid (UA), one of the naturally abundant pentacyclic triterpenes, possesses a wide range of biological activities including anti-inflammatory, anti-atherosclerotic, and anti-cancer properties. More importantly, UA has the features of low toxicity, liver protection and the potential of anti-cancer metastasis. OBJECTIVE This article aimed at reviewing the great potential of UA used as a candidate drug in the field of cancer therapy relating to suppression of tumor initiation, progression and metastasis. METHODS Selective searches were conducted in Pubmed, Google Scholar and Web of Science using the keywords and subheadings from database inception to December 2017. Systemic reviews are summarized here. RESULTS UA has exhibited chemopreventive and therapeutic effects of cancer mainly through inducing apoptosis, inhibiting cell proliferation, preventing tumor angiogenesis and metastatic. UA nanoformulations could enhance the solubility and bioavailability of UA as well as exhibit better inhibitory effect on tumor growth and metastasis. CONCLUSION The information presented in this article can provide useful references for further studies on making UA a promising anti-cancer drug, especially as a prophylactic metastatic agent for clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junjie Zou
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Cancer Metastasis Chemoprevention and Chemotherapy, College of Chemistry, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou 350116, China
| | - Juanfang Lin
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Cancer Metastasis Chemoprevention and Chemotherapy, College of Chemistry, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou 350116, China
| | - Chao Li
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Cancer Metastasis Chemoprevention and Chemotherapy, College of Chemistry, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou 350116, China
| | - Ruirui Zhao
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Cancer Metastasis Chemoprevention and Chemotherapy, College of Chemistry, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou 350116, China
| | - Lulu Fan
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Cancer Metastasis Chemoprevention and Chemotherapy, College of Chemistry, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou 350116, China
| | - Jesse Yu
- Department of Pharmaceutics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Jingwei Shao
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Cancer Metastasis Chemoprevention and Chemotherapy, College of Chemistry, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou 350116, China
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Cytotoxic Effects of Pinnatane A Extracted from Walsura pinnata (Meliaceae) on Human Liver Cancer Cells. Molecules 2018; 23:molecules23112733. [PMID: 30360475 PMCID: PMC6278294 DOI: 10.3390/molecules23112733] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2018] [Revised: 10/02/2018] [Accepted: 10/03/2018] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pinnatane A from the bark of Walsura pinnata was investigated for its anti-cancer properties by analyzing the cytotoxic activities and cell cycle arrest mechanism induced in two different liver cancer cell lines. METHODS A 3-(4,5-Dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay was used to analyze the pinnatane A selectivity in inducing cell death in cancer and normal cells. Various biological assays were carried out to analyze the anti-cancer properties of pinnatane A, such as a live/dead assay for cell death microscopic visualization, cell cycle analysis using propidium iodide (PI) to identify the cell cycle arrest phase, annexin V-fluorescein isothiocyanate (annexin V-FITC)/PI flow cytometry assay to measure percentage of cell populations at different stages of apoptosis and necrosis, and DNA fragmentation assay to verify the late stage of apoptosis. RESULTS The MTT assay identified pinnatane A prominent dose- and time-dependent cytotoxicity effects in Hep3B and HepG2 cells, with minimal effect on normal cells. The live/dead assay showed significant cell death, while cell cycle analysis showed arrest at the G₀/G₁ phase in both cell lines. Annexin V-FITC/PI flow cytometry and DNA fragmentation assays identified apoptotic cell death in Hep3B and necrotic cell death in HepG2 cell lines. CONCLUSIONS Pinnatane A has the potential for further development as a chemotherapeutic agent prominently against human liver cells.
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Kim EY, Sudini K, Singh AK, Haque M, Leaman D, Khuder S, Ahmed S. Ursolic acid facilitates apoptosis in rheumatoid arthritis synovial fibroblasts by inducing SP1-mediated Noxa expression and proteasomal degradation of Mcl-1. FASEB J 2018; 32:fj201800425R. [PMID: 29799788 PMCID: PMC6181629 DOI: 10.1096/fj.201800425r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2018] [Accepted: 05/07/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is characterized by hyperplastic pannus formation mediated by activated synovial fibroblasts (RASFs) that cause joint destruction. We have shown earlier that RASFs exhibit resistance to apoptosis, primarily as a result of enhanced expression of myeloid cell leukemia-1 (Mcl-1). In this study, we discovered that ursolic acid (UA), a plant-derived pentacyclic triterpenoid, selectively induces B-cell lymphoma 2 homology 3-only protein Noxa in human RASFs. We observed that UA-induced Noxa expression was followed by a consequent decrease in Mcl-1 expression in a dose-dependent manner. Subsequent evaluation of the signaling pathways showed that UA-induced Noxa is primarily mediated by the JNK pathway in human RASFs. Chromatin immunoprecipitation (IP) studies into the promoter region of Noxa indicated the role of transcription factor specificity protein 1 in JNK-mediated Noxa expression. Furthermore, the results from IP studies and proximity ligation assays indicated that UA-induced Noxa colocalizes and associates with Mcl-1 to prime it for proteasomal degradation through K48-linked ubiquitination by the selective recruitment of Mcl-1 ubiquitin ligase E3, a homologous to E6-associated protein C terminus domain-containing E3 ubiquitin ligase. These findings unveil a novel mechanism of inducing apoptosis in RASFs and a potential adjunct therapeutic strategy of regulating synovial hyperplasia in RA.-Kim, E. Y., Sudini, K., Singh, A. K., Haque, M., Leaman, D., Khuder, S., Ahmed, S. Ursolic acid facilitates apoptosis in rheumatoid arthritis synovial fibroblasts by inducing SP1-mediated Noxa expression and proteasomal degradation of Mcl-1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eugene Y. Kim
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Washington State University, Spokane, Washington, USA
| | - Kuladeep Sudini
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Toledo, Toledo, Ohio, USA
| | - Anil K. Singh
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Washington State University, Spokane, Washington, USA
| | - Mahamudul Haque
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Washington State University, Spokane, Washington, USA
| | - Douglas Leaman
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Toledo, Toledo, Ohio, USA
| | - Sadik Khuder
- Department of Medicine, University of Toledo, Toledo, Ohio, USA
- Department of Public Health, University of Toledo, Toledo, Ohio, USA
| | - Salahuddin Ahmed
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Washington State University, Spokane, Washington, USA
- Division of Rheumatology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington, USA
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Naß J, Efferth T. Insights into apoptotic proteins in chemotherapy: quantification techniques and informing therapy choice. Expert Rev Proteomics 2018; 15:413-429. [DOI: 10.1080/14789450.2018.1468755] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Janine Naß
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biology, Institute of Biochemistry and Pharmacy, Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany
| | - Thomas Efferth
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biology, Institute of Biochemistry and Pharmacy, Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany
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Zhang Y, Huang L, Shi H, Chen H, Tao J, Shen R, Wang T. Ursolic acid enhances the therapeutic effects of oxaliplatin in colorectal cancer by inhibition of drug resistance. Cancer Sci 2018; 109:94-102. [PMID: 29034540 PMCID: PMC5765292 DOI: 10.1111/cas.13425] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2017] [Revised: 10/09/2017] [Accepted: 10/11/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
It has been reported that ursolic acid has anti-tumor activity and it enhances the therapeutic effect of oxaliplatin in colorectal cancer (CRC). However, the underlying mechanisms remain unknown. In the present study, the mechanisms of the enhancement of therapeutic effects through use of ursolic acid were investigated. We treated CRC cell lines HCT8 and SW480 with ursolic acid and oxaliplatin and monitored the effects on cell proliferation, apoptosis, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and drug resistance gene production. We discovered that treatment with a combination of ursolic acid and oxaliplatin resulted in significant inhibition of cell proliferation, significantly increased apoptosis and ROS production, and significant inhibition of drug resistance gene expression. Our study provided evidence that ursolic acid enhances the therapeutic effects of oxaliplatin in colorectal cancer by ROS-mediated inhibition of drug resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ye Zhang
- Department of Endoscopy SurgeryWuxi People's HospitalAffiliated to Nanjing Medical UniversityWuxiChina
| | - Longchang Huang
- Department of Endoscopy SurgeryWuxi People's HospitalAffiliated to Nanjing Medical UniversityWuxiChina
| | - Haoze Shi
- Department of Endoscopy SurgeryWuxi People's HospitalAffiliated to Nanjing Medical UniversityWuxiChina
| | - Hang Chen
- Department of Endoscopy SurgeryWuxi People's HospitalAffiliated to Nanjing Medical UniversityWuxiChina
| | - Jianxin Tao
- Department of Endoscopy SurgeryWuxi People's HospitalAffiliated to Nanjing Medical UniversityWuxiChina
| | - Renhui Shen
- Department of Endoscopy SurgeryWuxi People's HospitalAffiliated to Nanjing Medical UniversityWuxiChina
| | - Tong Wang
- Department of Endoscopy SurgeryWuxi People's HospitalAffiliated to Nanjing Medical UniversityWuxiChina
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Salvador JA, Leal AS, Valdeira AS, Gonçalves BM, Alho DP, Figueiredo SA, Silvestre SM, Mendes VI. Oleanane-, ursane-, and quinone methide friedelane-type triterpenoid derivatives: Recent advances in cancer treatment. Eur J Med Chem 2017; 142:95-130. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2017.07.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2017] [Revised: 07/06/2017] [Accepted: 07/10/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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Huang S, Cai F, Cheng Z, Zhou R, Hao L. [Effect of ursolic acid on proliferation and apoptosis of human osteosarcoma cell line U2-OS]. ZHONGGUO XIU FU CHONG JIAN WAI KE ZA ZHI = ZHONGGUO XIUFU CHONGJIAN WAIKE ZAZHI = CHINESE JOURNAL OF REPARATIVE AND RECONSTRUCTIVE SURGERY 2017; 31:1371-1376. [PMID: 29798594 PMCID: PMC8632589 DOI: 10.7507/1002-1892.201704089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2017] [Revised: 10/09/2017] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Objective To investigate the effect of ursolic acid on the proliferation and apoptosis of human osteosarcoma cell line U2-OS and analyze its mechanism. Methods Human osteosarcoma cell line U2-OS was divided into 4 groups, which was cultured with ursolic acid of 0, 10, 20, and 40 μmol/L, respectively. At 0, 24, 48, and 72 hours after being cultured, the cell proliferation ability was detected by cell counting kit 8 (CCK-8). At 48 hours, the effects of ursolic acid on cell cycle and apoptosis of U2-OS cells were measured by flow cytometry. Besides, the expressions of cyclin D1 and Caspase-3 were detected by real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR and Western blot. Results CCK-8 tests showed that the absorbance ( A) value of each group was not significant at 0 and 24 hours ( P>0.05); but the differences between groups were significant at 48 and 72 hours ( P<0.05). Flow cytometry results showed that, with the ursolic acid concentration increasing, the G 1 phase of U2-OS cells increased, the S phase and G 2/M phase decreased, and cell apoptosis rate increased gradually. There were significant differences between groups ( P<0.05). Compared with the 0 μmol/L group, the relative expressions of cyclin D1 mRNA and protein in 10, 20, and 40 μmol/L groups significantly decreased ( P<0.05); whereas, there was no significant difference in relative expression of Caspase-3 mRNA between groups ( P>0.05). However, with the ursolic acid concentration increasing, the relative expressions of pro-Caspase-3 protein decreased and the relative expressions of activated Caspase-3 increased; there were significant differences between groups ( P<0.05). Conclusion Ursolic acid can effectively inhibit the proliferation of osteosarcoma cell line U2-OS, induce the down-regulation of cyclin D1 expression leading to G 0/G 1 phase arrest, increase the activation of Caspase-3 and promote cell apoptosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shifu Huang
- Department of Orthopaedics, the People's Hospital of Jishui County, Jishui Jiangxi, 331600, P.R.China
| | - Feng Cai
- Department of Orthopaedics, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang Jiangxi, 33006, P.R.China
| | - Zhaoxian Cheng
- Department of Orthopaedics, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang Jiangxi, 33006, P.R.China
| | - Rongping Zhou
- Department of Orthopaedics, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang Jiangxi, 33006, P.R.China
| | - Liang Hao
- Department of Orthopaedics, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang Jiangxi, 33006,
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Bergamin LS, Figueiró F, Dietrich F, Manica FDM, Filippi-Chiela EC, Mendes FB, Jandrey EHF, Lopes DV, Oliveira FH, Nascimento IC, Ulrich H, Battastini AMO. Interference of ursolic acid treatment with glioma growth: An in vitro and in vivo study. Eur J Pharmacol 2017; 811:268-275. [PMID: 28663034 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2017.06.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2017] [Revised: 06/21/2017] [Accepted: 06/26/2017] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Glioblastoma multiforme is the most devastating tumor in the brain. Ursolic acid (UA) is found in a variety of plants, and exhibits several pharmacological activities. In this study, we investigated the effects of UA in vitro, clarifying the mechanisms that mediate its toxicity and the long-lasting actions of UA in C6 glioma cells. We also evaluated the antitumor activity of UA in an in vivo orthotopic glioma model. Cell numbers were assessed using the Trypan blue exclusion test, and the cell cycle was characterized by flow cytometry using propidium iodide staining. Apoptosis was analyzed using an Annexin V kit and by examining caspase-3. Akt immunocontent was verified by Western blot and the long-lasting actions of UA were measured by cumulative population doubling (CPD). In vivo experiments were performed in rats to measure the effects on tumor size, malignant features and toxicological parameters. In vitro results showed that UA decreased glioma cell numbers, increased the sub-G1 fraction and induced apoptotic death, accompanied by increased active caspase-3 protein levels. Akt phosphorylation/activation in cells was also diminished by UA. With regard to CPD, cell proliferation was almost completely restored upon single UA treatments, but when the UA was added again, the majority of cells died, demonstrating the importance of re-treatment cycles with chemotherapeutic agents for abolishing tumor growth. In vivo, ursolic acid slightly reduced glioma tumor size but did not decrease malignant features. Ursolic acid may be a potential candidate as an adjuvant for glioblastoma therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Letícia Scussel Bergamin
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Biológicas: Bioquímica, Instituto de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, UFRGS, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil; Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Química, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Fabrício Figueiró
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Biológicas: Bioquímica, Instituto de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, UFRGS, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Fabrícia Dietrich
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Biológicas: Bioquímica, Instituto de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, UFRGS, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Fabiana de Mattos Manica
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, UFRGS, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Eduardo C Filippi-Chiela
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Gastroenterologia e Hepatologia, Faculdade de Medicina, UFRGS, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Franciane Brackman Mendes
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Biológicas: Bioquímica, Instituto de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, UFRGS, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | | | | | - Francine H Oliveira
- Serviço de Patologia, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, UFRGS, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Isis C Nascimento
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Química, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Henning Ulrich
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Química, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Ana Maria Oliveira Battastini
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Biológicas: Bioquímica, Instituto de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, UFRGS, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil; Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, UFRGS, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
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Sánchez-Monroy MB, Jacobo-Herrera NJ, Zentella-Dehesa A, Hernández-Téllez B, Martínez-Vázquez M. Masticadienonic and 3α-OH Masticadienoic Acids Induce Apoptosis and Inhibit Cell Proliferation and Tumor Growth in Prostate Cancer Xenografts in Vivo. Molecules 2017; 22:molecules22091479. [PMID: 28878179 PMCID: PMC6151518 DOI: 10.3390/molecules22091479] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2017] [Revised: 08/29/2017] [Accepted: 08/30/2017] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The triterpenes have been constituted as a group of interesting molecules as possible antitumor agents. Despite several of them not presenting a potent cytotoxic activity in vitro against cancer cells, in vivo in xenotransplant tumors studies, they show promising results. Based on the above considerations, we investigated the antitumor activity of both masticadienonic (MDA) and 3α-OH masticadienoic (3α-OH MDA) acids in a mouse prostate cancer xenograft model. Immunohistochemical assays were used to evaluate the decrease in the expression of the Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen (PCNA) and the Ki-67 induced by MDA and 3α-OH MDA. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay was performed to demonstrate the fragmentation of DNA. Our results showed that the two triterpenes inhibited tumor growth, had anti-proliferative effect in vivo and induced cell death by apoptosis. Collectively, our data suggested that the antitumor mechanism of MDA and 3α-OH MDA involves several molecular targets related to cell proliferation and apoptosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ma Beatriz Sánchez-Monroy
- Departamento de Productos Naturales, Instituto de Química, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Circuito Exterior, Ciudad Universitaria, Delegación Coyoacán C.P., CDMX 04510, Mexico.
| | - Nadia J Jacobo-Herrera
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Vasco de Quiroga 15, Sección XVI, Delegación Tlalpan C.P., CDMX 14000, Mexico.
| | - Alejandro Zentella-Dehesa
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Vasco de Quiroga 15, Sección XVI, Delegación Tlalpan C.P., CDMX 14000, Mexico.
- Departamento de Medicina Genómica y Toxicología Ambiental & Programa Institucional de Cáncer de Mama, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Circuito Deportivo, Ciudad Universitaria, Delegación Coyoacán C.P., CDMX 04510, Mexico.
| | - Beatriz Hernández-Téllez
- Departamento de Biología Celular y Tisular, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Circuito Exterior, Ciudad Universitaria, Delegación Coyoacán C.P., CDMX 04510, Mexico.
| | - Mariano Martínez-Vázquez
- Departamento de Productos Naturales, Instituto de Química, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Circuito Exterior, Ciudad Universitaria, Delegación Coyoacán C.P., CDMX 04510, Mexico.
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Zhang Y, Liang Y, He C. Anticancer activities and mechanisms of heat-clearing and detoxicating traditional Chinese herbal medicine. Chin Med 2017; 12:20. [PMID: 28702078 PMCID: PMC5506596 DOI: 10.1186/s13020-017-0140-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2017] [Accepted: 06/30/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) theory, pathogenic heat and toxins, which are akin to the inflammatory factors, are the causes of cancer and could promote its virulent development. Therefore, heat-clearing and detoxicating (HCD) herbs are essential components of TCM formulas for cancer treatment. An increasing interest has been focused on the study of HCD herbs and accumulated evidences have shown that HCD herbs or HCD herbs-based formulas exhibited remarkable anticancer effects when used alone or combined with other therapeutic approaches. Some of the HCD herb-derived products have been tested in clinical trials. Studies revealed that extracts or pure compounds of the HCD herbs showed a broad anticancer spectrum against both solid and hematologic malignancies without significant toxic effects. Notably, some HCD herbs or formulas could strongly enhance the anticancer activities of chemo- or radio-therapy and alleviate their side effects. The anticancer activities of HCD herb exacts or the pure compounds were reported to be through multiple cellular or molecular mechanisms, such as induction of cancer cell apoptosis, differentiation and cell cycle arrest, inhibition of cancer cell growth, invasion and metastasis, and inhibition of tumor angiogenesis. In this review, we provide comprehensive analysis and summary of research progress and future prospects in this field to facilitate the further study and application of HCD herbs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yulin Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, N22-7038, Avenida da Universidade, Taipa, Macao, 999078 China
| | - Yeer Liang
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, N22-7038, Avenida da Universidade, Taipa, Macao, 999078 China
| | - Chengwei He
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, N22-7038, Avenida da Universidade, Taipa, Macao, 999078 China
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Valdés K, Morales J, Rodríguez L, Günther G. Potential use of nanocarriers with pentacyclic triterpenes in cancer treatments. Nanomedicine (Lond) 2016; 11:3139-3156. [PMID: 27809705 DOI: 10.2217/nnm-2016-0251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Ursolic, oleanolic and betulinic acids are representative pentacyclic triterpenoids found in various plants and fruits. Despite having marked antitumor potentials, the very poor water solubility of these triterpenes hinders treatment development. Nanotechnology can enhance solubility, stability, bioavailability and phytochemical delivery, improving the therapeutic efficiency of triterpenes. This review focuses on the formulation, characterization and in vitro/in vivo evaluation of several delivery nanosystems used to enhance the physicochemical properties of ursolic, oleanolic and betulinic acids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karina Valdés
- Departamento de Ciencias y Tecnología Farmacéutica, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas y Farmacéuticas, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Javier Morales
- Departamento de Ciencias y Tecnología Farmacéutica, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas y Farmacéuticas, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Lennin Rodríguez
- Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica, Universidad Nacional de Trujillo, Trujillo, Perú
| | - Germán Günther
- Departamento de Química Orgánica y Fisicoquímica, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas y Farmacéuticas, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
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Mendes VIS, Bartholomeusz GA, Ayres M, Gandhi V, Salvador JAR. Synthesis and cytotoxic activity of novel A-ring cleaved ursolic acid derivatives in human non-small cell lung cancer cells. Eur J Med Chem 2016; 123:317-331. [PMID: 27484517 PMCID: PMC5652311 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2016.07.045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2016] [Revised: 07/18/2016] [Accepted: 07/20/2016] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Ursolic acid (UA) is a pentacyclic triterpenoid with recognized anticancer properties. We prepared a series of new A-ring cleaved UA derivatives and evaluated their antiproliferative activity in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cell lines using 2D and 3D culture models. Compound 17, bearing a cleaved A-ring with a secondary amide at C3, was found to be the most active compound, with potency in 2D systems. Importantly, even in 3D systems, the effect was maintained albeit a slight increase in the IC50. The molecular mechanism underlying the anticancer activity was further investigated. Compound 17 induced apoptosis via activation of caspase-8 and caspase-7 and via decrease of Bcl-2. Moreover, induction of autophagy was also detected with increased levels of Beclin-1 and LC3A/B-II and decreased levels of mTOR and p62. DNA synthetic capacity and cell cycle profiles were not affected by the drug, but total RNA synthesis was modestly but significantly decreased. Given its activity and mechanism of action, compound 17 might represent a potential candidate for further cancer research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vanessa I. S. Mendes
- Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, 3000-548, Coimbra, Portugal. ; Fax: + 351 239 488 503; Tel: + 351 239 488 400
- Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Geoffrey A. Bartholomeusz
- Department of Experimental Therapeutics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA. ; Fax: + 1 713-794-4316; Tel: + 1 713-792-2989
| | - Mary Ayres
- Department of Experimental Therapeutics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA. ; Fax: + 1 713-794-4316; Tel: + 1 713-792-2989
| | - Varsha Gandhi
- Department of Experimental Therapeutics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA. ; Fax: + 1 713-794-4316; Tel: + 1 713-792-2989
| | - Jorge A. R. Salvador
- Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, 3000-548, Coimbra, Portugal. ; Fax: + 351 239 488 503; Tel: + 351 239 488 400
- Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, Coimbra, Portugal
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27
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Lin Z, Jiang J, Liu XS. Ursolic acid-mediated apoptosis of K562 cells involves Stat5/Akt pathway inhibition through the induction of Gfi-1. Sci Rep 2016; 6:33358. [PMID: 27634378 PMCID: PMC5025887 DOI: 10.1038/srep33358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2016] [Accepted: 08/25/2016] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Ursolic acid (UA) is a promising natural compound for cancer prevention and therapy. We previously reported that UA induced apoptosis in CML-derived K562 cells. Here we show that the apoptotic process is accompanied by down-regulation of Bcl-xL and Mcl-1 expression and dephosphorylation of Bad. These events are associated with Stat5 inhibition, which is partially mediated through elevated expression of transcriptional repressor Gfi-1. Gfi-1 knockdown using siRNA abrogates the ability of UA to decrease Stat5b expression and attenuates apoptosis induction by UA. We also demonstrate that UA suppresses the Akt kinase activity by inhibiting Akt1/2 expression, which correlates with Stat5 inhibition. Stat5 activity inhibited by a chemical inhibitor or siRNA, Akt1/2 mRNA expression is suppressed. Moreover, we show that UA exerts growth-inhibition in Imatinib-resistant K562/G01. UA has synergistic effects when used in combination with Imatinib in both K562 and K562/G01. Altogether, the data provide evidence that UA's pro-apoptotic effect in K562 cells is associated with the Gfi-1/Stat5/Akt pathway. The findings indicate that UA could potentially be a useful agent in the treatment of CML.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ze Lin
- Department of Biochemistry, Shantou University Medical College, No. 22 Xinlin Road, Jinping District, Shantou, 510451, China
| | - Jikai Jiang
- Department of Biochemistry, Shantou University Medical College, No. 22 Xinlin Road, Jinping District, Shantou, 510451, China
| | - Xiao-Shan Liu
- Department of Biochemistry, Guangzhou Medical University, Xinzao Town, Panyu District, Guangzhou 511436, China
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28
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Gai WT, Yu DP, Wang XS, Wang PT. Anti-cancer effect of ursolic acid activates apoptosis through ROCK/PTEN mediated mitochondrial translocation of cofilin-1 in prostate cancer. Oncol Lett 2016; 12:2880-2885. [PMID: 27698874 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2016.5015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2015] [Accepted: 05/13/2016] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Ursolic acid is a type of pentacyclic triterpene compound with multiple pharmacological activities including cancer resistance, protection from liver injury, antisepsis, anti-inflammation and antiviral activity. The present study aimed to investigate the anticancer effect of ursolic acid. Ursolic acid activates cell apoptosis and its pro-apoptotic mechanism remains to be fully elucidated. Cell Counting kit-8 assays, flow cytometric analysis and analysis of caspase-3 and caspase-9 activity were used to estimate the anticancer effect of ursolic acid on DU145 prostate cancer cells. The protein expression of cytochrome c, rho-associated protein kinase (ROCK), phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) and cofilin-1 were examined using western blot analysis. In the present study, ursolic acid significantly suppressed cell growth and induced apoptosis, as well as increasing caspase-3 and caspase-9 activities of DU145 cells. Furthermore, cytoplasmic and mitochondrial cytochrome c protein expression was significantly activated and suppressed, respectively, by ursolic acid. Ursolic acid significantly suppressed the ROCK/PTEN signaling pathway and inhibited cofilin-1 protein expression in DU145 cells. The results of the present study indicate that the anticancer effect of ursolic acid activates cell apoptosis through ROCK/PTEN mediated mitochondrial translocation of cofilin-1 in prostate cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen-Tao Gai
- Department of Urology, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong 266003, P.R. China; Department of Urology, Yantai Municipal Laiyang Central Hospital, Laiyang, Shandong 265200, P.R. China
| | - Da-Peng Yu
- Department of Urology, Jining No. 1 People's Hospital, Jining, Shandong 272000, P.R. China
| | - Xin-Sheng Wang
- Department of Urology, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong 266003, P.R. China
| | - Pei-Tao Wang
- Department of Urology, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong 266003, P.R. China
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Shan J, Xuan Y, Zhang Q, Zhu C, Liu Z, Zhang S. Ursolic acid synergistically enhances the therapeutic effects of oxaliplatin in colorectal cancer. Protein Cell 2016; 7:571-85. [PMID: 27472952 PMCID: PMC4980335 DOI: 10.1007/s13238-016-0295-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2016] [Accepted: 06/22/2016] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Oxaliplatin is a key drug in chemotherapy of colorectal cancer (CRC). However, its efficacy is unsatisfied due to drug resistance of cancer cells. In this study, we tested whether a natural agent, ursolic acid, was able to enhance the efficacy of oxaliplatin for CRC. Four CRC cell lines including SW480, SW620, LoVo, and RKO were used as in vitro models, and a SW620 xenograft mouse model was used in further in vivo study. We found that ursolic acid inhibited proliferation and induced apoptosis of all four cells and enhanced the cytotoxicity of oxaliplatin. This effect was associated with down-regulation of Bcl-xL, Bcl-2, survivin, activation of caspase-3, 8, 9, and inhibition of KRAS expression and BRAF, MEK1/2, ERK1/2, p-38, JNK, AKT, IKKα, IκBα, and p65 phosphorylation of the MAPK, PI3K/AKT, and NF-κB signaling pathways. The two agents also showed synergistic effects against tumor growth in vivo. In addition, ursolic acid restored liver function and body weight of the mice treated with oxaliplatin. Thus, we concluded that ursolic acid could enhance the therapeutic effects of oxaliplatin against CRC both in vitro and in vivo, which offers an effective strategy to minimize the burden of oxaliplatin-induced adverse events and provides the groundwork for a new clinical strategy to treat CRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianzhen Shan
- Department of Medical Oncology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310009, China
| | - Yanyan Xuan
- Cancer Institute of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310009, China
| | - Qi Zhang
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310009, China
| | - Chunpeng Zhu
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310009, China
| | - Zhen Liu
- Cancer Institute of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310009, China
| | - Suzhan Zhang
- Cancer Institute of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310009, China.
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Liu MC, Yang SJ, Jin LH, Hu DY, Xue W, Yang S. Synthesis and evaluation as potential antitumor agents of novel ursolic acid derivatives. Med Chem Res 2016. [DOI: 10.1007/s00044-016-1680-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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Villar VH, Vögler O, Barceló F, Martín-Broto J, Martínez-Serra J, Ruiz-Gutiérrez V, Alemany R. Down-Regulation of AKT Signalling by Ursolic Acid Induces Intrinsic Apoptosis and Sensitization to Doxorubicin in Soft Tissue Sarcoma. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0155946. [PMID: 27219337 PMCID: PMC4878803 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0155946] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2015] [Accepted: 05/06/2016] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Several important biological activities have been attributed to the pentacyclic triterpene ursolic acid (UA), being its antitumoral effect extensively studied in human adenocarcinomas. In this work, we focused on the efficacy and molecular mechanisms involved in the antitumoral effects of UA, as single agent or combined with doxorubicin (DXR), in human soft tissue sarcoma cells. UA (5-50 μM) strongly inhibited (up to 80%) the viability of STS cells at 24 h and its proliferation in soft agar, with higher concentrations increasing apoptotic death up to 30%. UA treatment (6-9 h) strongly blocked the survival AKT/GSK3β/β-catenin signalling pathway, which led to a concomitant reduction of the anti-apoptotic proteins c-Myc and p21, altogether resulting in the activation of intrinsic apoptosis. Interestingly, UA at low concentrations (10-15 μM) enhanced the antitumoral effects of DXR by up to 2-fold, while in parallel inhibiting DXR-induced AKT activation and p21 expression, two proteins implicated in antitumoral drug resistance and cell survival. In conclusion, UA is able to induce intrinsic apoptosis in human STS cells and also to sensitize these cells to DXR by blocking the AKT signalling pathway. Therefore, UA may have beneficial effects, if used as nutraceutical adjuvant during standard chemotherapy treatment of STS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victor Hugo Villar
- Group of Clinical and Translational Research, Department of Biology, Institut Universitari d’Investigacions en Ciències de la Salut (IUNICS), University of the Balearic Islands, Palma de Mallorca, Spain
| | - Oliver Vögler
- Group of Clinical and Translational Research, Department of Biology, Institut Universitari d’Investigacions en Ciències de la Salut (IUNICS), University of the Balearic Islands, Palma de Mallorca, Spain
| | - Francisca Barceló
- Group of Clinical and Translational Research, Department of Biology, Institut Universitari d’Investigacions en Ciències de la Salut (IUNICS), University of the Balearic Islands, Palma de Mallorca, Spain
| | - Javier Martín-Broto
- Group of Clinical and Translational Research, Department of Biology, Institut Universitari d’Investigacions en Ciències de la Salut (IUNICS), University of the Balearic Islands, Palma de Mallorca, Spain
- Department of Oncology, University Hospital Virgen del Rocío and Biomedicine Institute of Sevilla (IBIS), Sevilla, Spain
| | - Jordi Martínez-Serra
- Group of Clinical and Translational Research, Department of Biology, Institut Universitari d’Investigacions en Ciències de la Salut (IUNICS), University of the Balearic Islands, Palma de Mallorca, Spain
- Department of Hematology, University Hospital Son Espases, Palma de Mallorca, Spain
| | - Valentina Ruiz-Gutiérrez
- Instituto de la Grasa, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Sevilla, Spain
- CIBER:CB06/03 Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y la Nutrición, CIBERobn, Instituto de Salud, Carlos III (ISCIII), Spain
| | - Regina Alemany
- Group of Clinical and Translational Research, Department of Biology, Institut Universitari d’Investigacions en Ciències de la Salut (IUNICS), University of the Balearic Islands, Palma de Mallorca, Spain
- CIBER:CB06/03 Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y la Nutrición, CIBERobn, Instituto de Salud, Carlos III (ISCIII), Spain
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32
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Kashyap D, Tuli HS, Sharma AK. Ursolic acid (UA): A metabolite with promising therapeutic potential. Life Sci 2016; 146:201-13. [PMID: 26775565 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2016.01.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 181] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2015] [Revised: 01/11/2016] [Accepted: 01/12/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Plants are known to produce a variety of bioactive metabolites which are being used to cure various life threatening and chronic diseases. The molecular mechanism of action of such bioactive molecules, may open up new avenues for the scientific community to develop or improve novel therapeutic approaches to tackle dreadful diseases such as cancer and cardiovascular and neurodegenerative disorders. Ursolic acid (UA) is one among the categories of such plant-based therapeutic metabolites having multiple intracellular and extracellular targets that play role in apoptosis, metastasis, angiogenesis and inflammatory processes. Moreover, the synthetic derivatives of UA have also been seen to be involved in a range of pharmacological applications, which are associated with prevention of diseases. Evidences suggest that UA could be used as a potential candidate to develop a comprehensive competent strategy towards the treatment and prevention of health disorders. The review article herein describes the possible therapeutic effects of UA along with putative mechanism of action.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dharambir Kashyap
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, Punjab 160012, India
| | - Hardeep Singh Tuli
- Department of Biotechnology, Maharishi Markandeshwar University, Mullana, Ambala, Haryana 133207, India.
| | - Anil K Sharma
- Department of Biotechnology, Maharishi Markandeshwar University, Mullana, Ambala, Haryana 133207, India
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Woźniak Ł, Skąpska S, Marszałek K. Ursolic Acid--A Pentacyclic Triterpenoid with a Wide Spectrum of Pharmacological Activities. Molecules 2015; 20:20614-41. [PMID: 26610440 PMCID: PMC6332387 DOI: 10.3390/molecules201119721] [Citation(s) in RCA: 216] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2015] [Revised: 08/21/2015] [Accepted: 09/23/2015] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Ursolic acid (UA) is a natural terpene compound exhibiting many pharmaceutical properties. In this review the current state of knowledge about the health-promoting properties of this widespread, biologically active compound, as well as information about its occurrence and biosynthesis are presented. Particular attention has been paid to the application of ursolic acid as an anti-cancer agent; it is worth noticing that clinical tests suggesting the possibility of practical use of UA have already been conducted. Amongst other pharmacological properties of UA one can mention protective effect on lungs, kidneys, liver and brain, anti-inflammatory properties, anabolic effects on skeletal muscles and the ability to suppress bone density loss leading to osteoporosis. Ursolic acid also exhibits anti-microbial features against numerous strains of bacteria, HIV and HCV viruses and Plasmodium protozoa causing malaria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Łukasz Woźniak
- Department of Fruit and Vegetable Product Technology, Institute of Agricultural and Food Biotechnology, 36 Rakowiecka Street, 02-532 Warsaw, Poland.
| | - Sylwia Skąpska
- Department of Fruit and Vegetable Product Technology, Institute of Agricultural and Food Biotechnology, 36 Rakowiecka Street, 02-532 Warsaw, Poland.
| | - Krystian Marszałek
- Department of Fruit and Vegetable Product Technology, Institute of Agricultural and Food Biotechnology, 36 Rakowiecka Street, 02-532 Warsaw, Poland.
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Kim SH, Ryu HG, Lee J, Shin J, Harikishore A, Jung HY, Kim YS, Lyu HN, Oh E, Baek NI, Choi KY, Yoon HS, Kim KT. Ursolic acid exerts anti-cancer activity by suppressing vaccinia-related kinase 1-mediated damage repair in lung cancer cells. Sci Rep 2015; 5:14570. [PMID: 26412148 PMCID: PMC4585938 DOI: 10.1038/srep14570] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2015] [Accepted: 09/04/2015] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Many mitotic kinases have been targeted for the development of anti-cancer drugs, and inhibitors of these kinases have been expected to perform well for cancer therapy. Efforts focused on selecting good targets and finding specific drugs to target are especially needed, largely due to the increased frequency of anti-cancer drugs used in the treatment of lung cancer. Vaccinia-related kinase 1 (VRK1) is a master regulator in lung adenocarcinoma and is considered a key molecule in the adaptive pathway, which mainly controls cell survival. We found that ursolic acid (UA) inhibits the catalytic activity of VRK1 via direct binding to the catalytic domain of VRK1. UA weakens surveillance mechanisms by blocking 53BP1 foci formation induced by VRK1 in lung cancer cells, and possesses synergistic anti-cancer effects with DNA damaging drugs. Taken together, UA can be a good anti-cancer agent for targeted therapy or combination therapy with DNA damaging drugs for lung cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seong-Hoon Kim
- Department of Life Sciences, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang 790-784, Republic of Korea
| | - Hye Guk Ryu
- Department of Life Sciences, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang 790-784, Republic of Korea
| | - Juhyun Lee
- Division of Integrative Biosciences and Biotechnology, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang 790-784, Republic of Korea
| | - Joon Shin
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 637551
| | | | - Hoe-Youn Jung
- Division of Integrative Biosciences and Biotechnology, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang 790-784, Republic of Korea
| | - Ye Seul Kim
- Department of Life Sciences, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang 790-784, Republic of Korea
| | - Ha-Na Lyu
- Department of Life Sciences, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang 790-784, Republic of Korea
| | - Eunji Oh
- The Graduate School of Biotechnology and Plant Metabolism Research Center, Kyung-Hee University, Suwon 449-701, Republic of Korea
| | - Nam-In Baek
- The Graduate School of Biotechnology and Plant Metabolism Research Center, Kyung-Hee University, Suwon 449-701, Republic of Korea
| | - Kwan-Yong Choi
- Division of Integrative Biosciences and Biotechnology, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang 790-784, Republic of Korea
| | - Ho Sup Yoon
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 637551
- Department of Genetic Engineering, College of Life Sciences, Kyung-Hee University, Suwon 449-701, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyong-Tai Kim
- Department of Life Sciences, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang 790-784, Republic of Korea
- Division of Integrative Biosciences and Biotechnology, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang 790-784, Republic of Korea
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Qian Z, Wang X, Song Z, Zhang H, Zhou S, Zhao J, Wang H. A phase I trial to evaluate the multiple-dose safety and antitumor activity of ursolic acid liposomes in subjects with advanced solid tumors. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2015; 2015:809714. [PMID: 25866811 PMCID: PMC4383362 DOI: 10.1155/2015/809714] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2014] [Revised: 10/09/2014] [Accepted: 10/12/2014] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Ursolic acid liposome (UAL), a new antitumor drug, has potential therapeutic value. However, limited clinical data exists regarding multiple-dose safety, antitumor activity, and the recommended dose (RD) of UAL for subjects with advanced solid tumors. All subjects were intravenously administered UAL for 14 consecutive days of a 21-day treatment cycle. Twenty-one subjects were enrolled in 1 of 3 sequential cohorts (56, 74, and 98 mg/m(2)) to evaluate multiple-dose tolerability and efficacy. Eight additional subjects were treated with UAL (74 mg/m(2)) to evaluate multiple-dose pharmacokinetics. No ≥grade 3 adverse events (NCI-CTC) were observed. Sixty percent subjects achieved stable disease after 2 treatment cycles. Multiple-dose pharmacokinetic analysis suggested UAL does not accumulate in the body. This trial demonstrates that UAL was tolerable, had manageable toxicity, and could potentially improve patient remission rates. A large phase II study is recommended to confirm these results (i.e., RD of 98 mg/m(2)).
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhengzi Qian
- Department of Lymphoma, Sino-US Center for Lymphoma and Leukemia, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center of Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tiyuanbei, Huanhuxi Road, Hexi District, Tianjin 300060, China
| | - Xianhuo Wang
- Department of Lymphoma, Sino-US Center for Lymphoma and Leukemia, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center of Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tiyuanbei, Huanhuxi Road, Hexi District, Tianjin 300060, China
| | - Zheng Song
- Department of Lymphoma, Sino-US Center for Lymphoma and Leukemia, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center of Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tiyuanbei, Huanhuxi Road, Hexi District, Tianjin 300060, China
| | - Huilai Zhang
- Department of Lymphoma, Sino-US Center for Lymphoma and Leukemia, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center of Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tiyuanbei, Huanhuxi Road, Hexi District, Tianjin 300060, China
| | - Shiyong Zhou
- Department of Lymphoma, Sino-US Center for Lymphoma and Leukemia, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center of Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tiyuanbei, Huanhuxi Road, Hexi District, Tianjin 300060, China
| | - Jing Zhao
- Department of Lymphoma, Sino-US Center for Lymphoma and Leukemia, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center of Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tiyuanbei, Huanhuxi Road, Hexi District, Tianjin 300060, China
| | - Huaqing Wang
- Department of Lymphoma, Sino-US Center for Lymphoma and Leukemia, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center of Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tiyuanbei, Huanhuxi Road, Hexi District, Tianjin 300060, China
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Zhang H, Zheng D, Ding J, Xu H, Li X, Sun W. Efficient delivery of ursolic acid by poly(N-vinylpyrrolidone)-block-poly (ε-caprolactone) nanoparticles for inhibiting the growth of hepatocellular carcinoma in vitro and in vivo. Int J Nanomedicine 2015; 10:1909-20. [PMID: 25792825 PMCID: PMC4362907 DOI: 10.2147/ijn.s77125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Previous reports have shown that ursolic acid (UA), a pentacyclic triterpenoid derived from Catharanthus trichophyllus roots, could inhibit the growth of a series of cancer cells. However, the potential for clinical application of UA is greatly hampered by its poor solubility, whereas the hydrophobicity of UA renders it a promising model drug for nanosized delivery systems. In the current study, we loaded UA into amphiphilic poly(N-vinylpyrrolidone)-block-poly (ε-caprolactone) nanoparticles and performed physiochemical characterization as well as analysis of the releasing capacity. In vitro experiments indicated that UA-NPs inhibited the growth of liver cancer cells and induced cellular apoptosis more efficiently than did free UA. Moreover, UA-NPs significantly delayed tumor growth and localized to the tumor site when compared with the equivalent dose of UA. In addition, both Western blotting and immunohistochemistry suggested that the possible mechanism of the superior efficiency of UA-NPs is mediation by the regulation of apoptosis-related proteins. Therefore, UA-NPs show potential as a promising nanosized drug system for liver cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Zhang
- Department of Geriatric Gastroenterology, First Affiliated Hospital with Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Donghui Zheng
- Department of Nephrology, Huai’an Hospital Affiliated with Xuzhou Medical College and Huai’an Second Hospital, Huai’an, People’s Republic of China
| | - Jing Ding
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Affiliated Nanjing Children Hospital with Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Huae Xu
- Department of Pharmacy, First Affiliated Hospital with Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xiaolin Li
- Department of Geriatric Gastroenterology, First Affiliated Hospital with Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Weihao Sun
- Department of Geriatric Gastroenterology, First Affiliated Hospital with Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, People’s Republic of China
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Extending in silico mechanism-of-action analysis by annotating targets with pathways: application to cellular cytotoxicity readouts. Future Med Chem 2014; 6:2029-56. [DOI: 10.4155/fmc.14.137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: An in silico mechanism-of-action analysis protocol was developed, comprising molecule bioactivity profiling, annotation of predicted targets with pathways and calculation of enrichment factors to highlight targets and pathways more likely to be implicated in the studied phenotype. Results: The method was applied to a cytotoxicity phenotypic endpoint, with enriched targets/pathways found to be statistically significant when compared with 100 random datasets. Application on a smaller apoptotic set (10 molecules) did not allowed to obtain statistically relevant results, suggesting that the protocol requires modification such as analysis of the most frequently predicted targets/annotated pathways. Conclusion: Pathway annotations improved the mechanism-of-action information gained by target prediction alone, allowing a better interpretation of the predictions and providing better mapping of targets onto pathways.
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Lu CC, Huang BR, Liao PJ, Yen GC. Ursolic acid triggers nonprogrammed death (necrosis) in human glioblastoma multiforme DBTRG-05MG cells through MPT pore opening and ATP decline. Mol Nutr Food Res 2014; 58:2146-56. [PMID: 25131308 DOI: 10.1002/mnfr.201400051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2014] [Revised: 08/04/2014] [Accepted: 08/12/2014] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
SCOPE Ursolic acid, a natural pentacyclic triterpenic acid, possesses anticancer potential and diverse biological effects, but its correlation with glioblastoma multiforme cells and different modes of cell death is unclear. We studied the cellular actions of human glioblastoma multiforme DBTRG-05MG cells after ursolic acid treatment and explored cell-selective killing effect of necrotic death as a cell fate. METHODS AND RESULTS Ursolic acid effectively reversed temozolomide resistance and reduced DBTRG-05MG cell viability. Surprisingly, ursolic acid failed to stimulate the apoptosis- and autophagy-related signaling networks. The necrotic death was characterized by annexin V/propidium iodide double-positive detection and release of high-mobility group protein B1 and lactate dehydrogenase. These ursolic acid elicited responses were accompanied by reactive oxygen species generation and glutathione depletion. Rapid mitochondrial dysfunction was paralleled by the preferential induction of necrosis, rather than apoptotic death. Mitochondrial permeability transition (MPT) is a phenomenon to provide the onset of mitochondrial depolarization during cellular necrosis. The opening of MPT pores that were mechanistically regulated by cyclophilin D, and adenosine triphosphate decline occurred in treated necrotic DBTRG-05MG cells. Cyclosporine A (an MPT pore inhibitor) prevented ursolic acid-provoked necrotic death and the acid-involved key regulators. CONCLUSION Our study is the first to report that ursolic acid-modified mitochondrial function triggers defective death by necrosis in DBTRG-05MG cells rather than augmenting programmed death.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chi-Cheng Lu
- Department of Food Science and Biotechnology, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan
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Foo JB, Yazan LS, Tor YS, Armania N, Ismail N, Imam MU, Yeap SK, Cheah YK, Abdullah R, Ismail M. Induction of cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in caspase-3 deficient MCF-7 cells by Dillenia suffruticosa root extract via multiple signalling pathways. BMC COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE 2014; 14:197. [PMID: 24947113 PMCID: PMC4096536 DOI: 10.1186/1472-6882-14-197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2013] [Accepted: 06/13/2014] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Dillenia suffruticosa root dichloromethane extract (DCM-DS) has been reported to exhibit strong cytotoxicity towards breast cancer cells. The present study was designed to investigate the cell cycle profile, mode of cell death and signalling pathways of DCM-DS-treated human caspase-3 deficient MCF-7 breast cancer cells. METHODS Dillenia suffruticosa root was extracted by sequential solvent extraction. The anti-proliferative activity of DCM-DS was determined by using MTT assay. The mode of cell death was evaluated by using inverted light microscope and Annexin-V/PI-flow cytometry analysis. Cell cycle analysis and measurement of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) were performed by using flow cytometry. MCF-7 cells were co-treated with antioxidants α-tocopherol and ascorbic acid to evaluate whether the cell death was mainly due to oxidative stress. GeXP-based multiplex system was employed to investigate the expression of apoptotic, growth and survival genes in MCF-7 cells. Western blot analysis was performed to confirm the expression of the genes. RESULTS DCM-DS was cytotoxic to the MCF-7 cells in a time-and dose-dependent manner. The IC50 values of DCM-DS at 24, 48 and 72 hours were 20.3 ± 2.8, 17.8 ± 1.5 and 15.5 ± 0.5 μg/mL, respectively. Cell cycle analysis revealed that DCM-DS induced G0/G1 and G2/M phase cell cycle arrest in MCF-7 cells at low concentration (12.5 and 25 μg/mL) and high concentration (50 μg/mL), respectively. Although Annexin-V/PI-flow cytometry analysis has confirmed that DCM-DS induced apoptosis in MCF-7 cells, the distinct characteristics of apoptosis such as membrane blebbing, chromatin condensation, nuclear fragmentation and formation of apoptotic bodies were not observed under microscope. DCM-DS induced formation of ROS in MCF-7 cells. Nevertheless, co-treatment with antioxidants did not attenuate the cell death at low concentration of DCM-DS. The pro-apoptotic gene JNK was up-regulated whereby anti-apoptotic genes AKT1 and ERK1/2 were down-regulated in a dose-dependent manner. Western blot analysis has confirmed that DCM-DS significantly up-regulated the expression of pro-apoptotic JNK1, pJNK and down-regulated anti-apoptotic AKT1, ERK1 in MCF-7 cells. CONCLUSION DCM-DS induced cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in MCF-7 cells via multiple signalling pathways. It shows the potential of DCM-DS to be developed to target the cancer cells with mutant caspase-3.
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Ou X, Liu M, Luo H, Dong LQ, Liu F. Ursolic acid inhibits leucine-stimulated mTORC1 signaling by suppressing mTOR localization to lysosome. PLoS One 2014; 9:e95393. [PMID: 24740400 PMCID: PMC3989317 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0095393] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2014] [Accepted: 03/26/2014] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Ursolic acid (UA), a pentacyclic triterpenoid widely found in medicinal herbs and fruits, has been reported to possess a wide range of beneficial properties including anti-hyperglycemia, anti-obesity, and anti-cancer. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the action of UA remain largely unknown. Here we show that UA inhibits leucine-induced activation of the mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) signaling pathway in C2C12 myotubes. The UA-mediated inhibition of mTORC1 is independent of Akt, tuberous sclerosis complex 1/2 (TSC1/2), and Ras homolog enriched in brain (Rheb), suggesting that UA negatively regulates mTORC1 signaling by targeting at a site downstream of these mTOR regulators. UA treatment had no effect on the interaction between mTOR and its activator Raptor or inhibitor Deptor, but suppressed the binding of RagB to Raptor and inhibited leucine-induced mTOR lysosomal localization. Taken together, our study identifies UA as a direct negative regulator of the mTORC1 signaling pathway and suggests a novel mechanism by which UA exerts its beneficial function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiang Ou
- Metabolic Syndrome Research Center and Diabetes Center, Key Laboratory of Diabetes Immunology, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- Department of Pharmacology University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, United States of America
| | - Meilian Liu
- Metabolic Syndrome Research Center and Diabetes Center, Key Laboratory of Diabetes Immunology, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- Department of Pharmacology University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, United States of America
| | - Hairong Luo
- Metabolic Syndrome Research Center and Diabetes Center, Key Laboratory of Diabetes Immunology, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Lily Q. Dong
- Department of Cellular & Structural Biology, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, United States of America
| | - Feng Liu
- Metabolic Syndrome Research Center and Diabetes Center, Key Laboratory of Diabetes Immunology, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- Department of Pharmacology University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, United States of America
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A novel strategy for inducing the antitumor effects of triterpenoid compounds: blocking the protumoral functions of tumor-associated macrophages via STAT3 inhibition. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2014; 2014:348539. [PMID: 24738052 PMCID: PMC3967493 DOI: 10.1155/2014/348539] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2014] [Accepted: 02/04/2014] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
There are many types of nontumor cells, including leukocytes, fibroblasts, and endothelial cells, in the tumor microenvironment. Among these cells, infiltrating macrophages have recently received attention as novel target cells due to their protumoral functions. Infiltrating macrophages are called tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs). TAMs polarized to the M2 phenotype are involved in tumor development and are associated with a poor clinical prognosis. Therefore, the regulation of TAM activation or M2 polarization is a new strategy for antitumor therapy. We screened natural compounds possessing an inhibitory effect on the M2 polarization of human macrophages. Among 200 purified natural compounds examined, corosolic acid (CA) and oleanolic acid (OA), both are categorized in triterpenoid compounds, inhibited macrophage polarization to M2 phenotype by suppressing STAT3 activation. CA and OA also directly inhibited tumor cell proliferation and sensitized tumor cells to anticancer drugs, such as adriamycin and cisplatin. The in vivo experiments showed that CA significantly suppressed subcutaneous tumor development and lung metastasis in a murine sarcoma model. The application of triterpenoid compounds, such as CA and OA, is a potential new anticancer therapy targeting macrophage activation, with synergistic effects with anticancer agents.
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Shanmugam MK, Dai X, Kumar AP, Tan BKH, Sethi G, Bishayee A. Ursolic acid in cancer prevention and treatment: molecular targets, pharmacokinetics and clinical studies. Biochem Pharmacol 2013; 85:1579-87. [PMID: 23499879 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2013.03.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 211] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2013] [Revised: 03/06/2013] [Accepted: 03/06/2013] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Discovery of bioactive molecules and elucidation of their molecular mechanisms open up an enormous opportunity for the development of improved therapy for different inflammatory diseases, including cancer. Triterpenoids isolated several decades ago from various medicinal plants now seem to have a prominent role in the prevention and therapy of a variety of ailments and some have already entered Phase I clinical trials. One such important and highly investigated pentacyclic triterpenoid, ursolic acid has attracted great attention of late for its potential as a chemopreventive and chemotherapeutic agent in various types of cancer. Ursolic acid has been shown to target multiple proinflammatory transcription factors, cell cycle proteins, growth factors, kinases, cytokines, chemokines, adhesion molecules, and inflammatory enzymes. These targets can potentially mediate the chemopreventive and therapeutic effects of ursolic acid by inhibiting the initiation, promotion and metastasis of cancer. This review not only summarizes the diverse molecular targets of ursolic acid, but also provides an insight into the various preclinical and clinical studies that have been performed in the last decade with this promising triterpenoid.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muthu K Shanmugam
- Department of Pharmacology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
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Li G, Zhou T, Liu L, Chen J, Zhao Z, Peng Y, Li P, Gao N. Ezrin dephosphorylation/downregulation contributes to ursolic acid-mediated cell death in human leukemia cells. Blood Cancer J 2013; 3:e108. [PMID: 23584398 PMCID: PMC3641322 DOI: 10.1038/bcj.2013.7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Ezrin links the actin filaments with the cell membrane and has a functional role in the apoptotic process. It appears clear that ezrin is directly associated with Fas, leading to activation of caspase cascade and cell death. However, the exact role of ezrin in ursolic acid (UA)-induced apoptosis remains unclear. In this study, we show for the first time that UA induces apoptosis in both transformed and primary leukemia cells through dephosphorylation/downregulation of ezrin, association and polarized colocalization of Fas and ezrin, as well as formation of death-inducing signaling complex. These events are dependent on Rho-ROCK1 signaling pathway. Knockdown of ezrin enhanced cell death mediated by UA, whereas overexpression of ezrin attenuated UA-induced apoptosis. Our in vivo study also showed that UA-mediated inhibition of tumor growth of mouse leukemia xenograft model is in association with the dephosphorylation/downregulation of ezrin. Such findings suggest that the cytoskeletal protein ezrin may represent an attractive target for UA-mediated lethality in human leukemia cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Li
- Department of Pharmacognosy, College of Pharmacy, 3rd Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
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Xiao H, Wang J, Yuan L, Xiao C, Wang Y, Liu X. Chicoric acid induces apoptosis in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes through ROS-mediated PI3K/Akt and MAPK signaling pathways. JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY 2013; 61:1509-1520. [PMID: 23363008 DOI: 10.1021/jf3050268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Chicoric acid has been reported to possess various bioactivities. However, the antiobesity effects of chicoric acid remain poorly understood. In this study, we investigated the effects of chicoric acid on 3T3-L1 preadipocytes and its molecular mechanisms of apoptosis. Chicoric acid inhibited cell viability and induced apoptosis in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes which was characterized by chromatin condensation and poly ADP-ribose-polymerase (PARP) cleavage. Mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) loss, Bax/Bcl-2 dysregulation, cytochrome c release, and caspase-3 activation were observed, indicating mitochondria-dependent apoptosis induced by chicoric acid. Furthermore, PI3K/Akt and MAPK (p38 MAPK, JNK, and ERK1/2) signaling pathways were involved in chicoric acid-induced apoptosis. The employment of protein kinase inhibitors LY294002, SB203580, SP600125, and U0126 revealed that PI3K/Akt signaling pathway interplayed with MAPK signaling pathways. Moreover, chicoric acid induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. Pretreatment with the antioxidant N-acetylcysteine (NAC) significantly blocked cell death and changes of Akt and MAPK signalings induced by chicoric acid. In addition, chicoric acid down regulated HO-1 and COX-2 via the PI3K/Akt pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haifang Xiao
- College of Food Science and Engineering, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, PR China
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Wang XH, Zhou SY, Qian ZZ, Zhang HL, Qiu LH, Song Z, Zhao J, Wang P, Hao XS, Wang HQ. Evaluation of toxicity and single-dose pharmacokinetics of intravenous ursolic acid liposomes in healthy adult volunteers and patients with advanced solid tumors. Expert Opin Drug Metab Toxicol 2013; 9:117-25. [PMID: 23134084 DOI: 10.1517/17425255.2013.738667] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to investigate the maximum tolerated dose (MTD), dose-limiting toxicity (DLT), and pharmacokinetics of ursolic acid liposomes (UAL), as a new drug, in healthy adult volunteers and patients with advanced solid tumors. METHODS All subjects received a single-dose of UAL (11, 22, 37, 56, 74, 98, and 130 mg/m(2)) administered as a 4-h intravenous infusion. Toxicity was assessed and plasma samples were analyzed using validated ultra-performance liquid chromatograph/tandem mass spectroscopy method. RESULTS A total of 63 subjects including 4 patients and 35 healthy adult volunteers for toxicity study and 24 healthy adult volunteers for pharmacokinetic study were enrolled in this trial. The DLT was encountered at 74, 98, and 130 mg/m(2), and consisted of hepatotoxicity and diarrhea. Other adverse events included grade 1 nausea, grade 2 abdominal distention, grade 1 microscopic hematuria, grade 2 elevated serum sodium, grade 1 vascular stimulation, and grade 1 skin rash. The MTD was 98 mg/m(2). The single-dose pharmacokinetic parameters revealed a linear relationship between C(max), AUC(0→24 h), or AUC(0→∞) and escalated doses. CONCLUSIONS The clinical data reported for the first time that UAL had manageable toxicities with MTD of 98 mg/m(2). The DLT were hepatotoxicity and diarrhea. Meanwhile, UAL had a linear pharmacokinetic profile. The registration number of this trial is ChiCTR-ONC-12002385.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xian-Huo Wang
- Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Hospital and Institute, Sino-US Center for Lymphoma and Leukemia, Department of Lymphoma, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tiyuanbei, Huanhuxi Road, Hexi District, Tianjin 300060, China
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Afzal A, Oriqat G, Akram Khan M, Jose J, Afzal M. Chemistry and Biochemistry of Terpenoids fromCurcumaand Related Species. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2013. [DOI: 10.1080/22311866.2013.782757] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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Zhao C, Yin S, Dong Y, Guo X, Fan L, Ye M, Hu H. Autophagy-dependent EIF2AK3 activation compromises ursolic acid-induced apoptosis through upregulation of MCL1 in MCF-7 human breast cancer cells. Autophagy 2013; 9:196-207. [PMID: 23182854 PMCID: PMC3552883 DOI: 10.4161/auto.22805] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Ursolic acid (UA) is a pentacyclic triterpenoid with promising cancer chemopreventive properties. A better understanding of the mechanisms underlying anticancer activity of UA is needed for further development as a clinically useful chemopreventive agent. Here, we found that both endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and autophagy were induced by UA in MCF-7 human breast cancer cells. Surprisingly, ER stress was identified as an effect rather than a cause of UA-induced autophagy. Autophagy-dependent ER stress protected the cells from UA-induced apoptosis through EIF2AK3-mediated upregulation of MCL1. Activation of MAPK1/3 but not inhibition of MTOR pathway contributed to UA-induced cytoprotective autophagy in MCF-7 cells. Our findings uncovered a novel cellular mechanism involved in the anticancer activity of UA, and also provided a useful model to study biological significance and mechanisms of autophagy-mediated ER stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chong Zhao
- Department of Nutrition and Health; College of Food Science and Nutritional Engineering; China Agricultural University; Beijing, China
| | - Shutao Yin
- Department of Nutrition and Health; College of Food Science and Nutritional Engineering; China Agricultural University; Beijing, China
| | - Yinhui Dong
- Department of Nutrition and Health; College of Food Science and Nutritional Engineering; China Agricultural University; Beijing, China
| | - Xiao Guo
- Department of Nutrition and Health; College of Food Science and Nutritional Engineering; China Agricultural University; Beijing, China
| | - Lihong Fan
- College of Veterinary Medicine; China Agricultural University; Beijing, China
| | - Min Ye
- The State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs; School of Pharmaceutical Sciences; Peking University Health Science Center; Beijing, China
| | - Hongbo Hu
- Department of Nutrition and Health; College of Food Science and Nutritional Engineering; China Agricultural University; Beijing, China
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Kaewthawee N, Brimson S. The effects of ursolic acid on cytokine production via the MAPK pathways in leukemic T-cells. EXCLI JOURNAL 2013. [PMID: 26417220 DOI: 10.17877/de290r-10658] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/25/2023]
Abstract
Ursolic acid (UA) is a pentacyclic triterpenoid carboxylic acid that is found in plants and herbal products. It is one of the chemopreventive agents, which can suppress cancer cell proliferation and induce apoptosis. UA possesses various biological activities including anticancer, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative and hepatoprotective activity. We investigated the effect of UA on cytokine production via the MAPK pathways in Jurkat leukemic T-cells, showing that UA inhibited cell growth and proliferation of Jurkat cells, as well as suppressing PMA/PHA induced IL-2 and TNF-α production in a concentration and time dependent manner. The inhibition of IL-2 and TNF-α production by UA involved the c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) pathway, but not the extracellular-signal regulated protein kinase (ERK) pathway. Future utilization of UA as a chemopreventive or therapeutic agent may provide an alternative option for leukemia treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Narawan Kaewthawee
- Graduate Program in Clinical Hematology Sciences, Department of Clinical Microscopy, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
| | - Sirikalaya Brimson
- Center for Research and Development in Molecular Hematology Sciences, Department of Clinical Microscopy, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
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