Can Nitric Oxide-Based Therapy Be Improved for the Treatment of Cancers? A Perspective

Latanoprostene bunod: the first nitric oxide-donating antiglaucoma medication

Glaucoma is a chronic optic neuropathy that causes characteristic visual field defects and is considered one of the leading causes of irreversible vision loss worldwide. Lowering intraocular pressure is the only proven treatment for glaucoma. Medical therapy is usually the first-line treatment for open-angle glaucoma and ocular hypertension. Latanoprostene bunod ophthalmic drop 0.024% is a nitric oxide-donating prostaglandin F2α analog. It lowers the intraocular pressure via a dual mechanism of enhancing aqueous humor outflow through both the trabecular meshwork and uveoscleral pathways. Additionally, the nitric oxide component has shown promise in regulating ocular blood flow and promoting the survival of retinal ganglionic cells. Herein, the mechanism of action, efficacy, safety, and tolerability of the latanoprostene bunod and its effects on ocular blood flow are reviewed. Latanoprostene bunod has demonstrated strong efficacy and a favorable safety profile in both clinical trials and real-world studies. Given the promising results of latanoprostene bunod and advancements in drug delivery, topical fixed-combination and sustained-release formulations containing latanoprostene bunod and other agents targeting different intraocular pressure-lowering mechanisms may become available in the future.

Regulatory effects of resveratrol on nitric oxide signaling in cardiovascular diseases

Cardiovascular illnesses are multifactorial disorders and represent the primary reasons for death worldwide, according to the World Health Organization. As a signaling molecule, nitric oxide (NO) is extremely permeable across cellular membranes owing to its unique molecular features, like its small molecular size, lipophilicity, and free radical properties. Some of the biological effects of NO are vasodilation, inhibition in the growth of vascular smooth muscle cells, and functional regulation of cardiac cells. Several therapeutic approaches have been tested to increase the production of NO or some downstream NO signaling pathways. The health benefits of red wine are typically attributed to the polyphenolic phytoalexin, resveratrol (3,5,4'-trihydroxy-trans-stilbene), which is found in several plant species. Resveratrol has beneficial cardiovascular properties, some of which are mediated through endothelial nitric oxide synthase production (eNOS). Resveratrol promotes NO generation from eNOS through various methods, including upregulation of eNOS expression, activation in the enzymatic activity of eNOS, and reversal of eNOS uncoupling. Additionally, by reducing of oxidative stress, resveratrol inhibits the formation of superoxide and inactivation NO, increasing NO bioavailability. This review discusses the scientific literature on resveratrol's beneficial impact on NO signaling and how this effect improves the function of vascular endothelium.

Novel Quinoline Nitrate Derivatives: Synthesis, Characterization, and Evaluation of their Anticancer Activity with a Focus on Molecular Docking and NO Release

BACKGROUND

Nitric Oxide (NO) has recently gained recognition as a promising approach in the field of cancer therapy. The quinoline scaffold is pivotal in cancer drug research and is known for its versatility and diverse mechanisms of action.

OBJECTIVE

This study presents the synthesis, characterization, and evaluation of novel quinoline nitrate derivatives as potential anticancer agents.

METHODS

The compounds were synthesized through a multi-step process involving the preparation of substituted 1-(2-aminophenyl) ethan-1-one, followed by the synthesis of substituted 2- (chloromethyl)-3,4-dimethylquinolines, and finally, the formation of substituted (3,4- dimethylquinolin-2-yl) methyl nitrate derivatives. The synthesized compounds were characterized using various spectroscopic techniques. Molecular docking studies were conducted to assess the binding affinity of the compounds to the EGFR tyrosine kinase domain.

RESULTS

The docking scores revealed varying degrees of binding affinity, with compound 6k exhibiting the highest score. The results suggested a correlation between molecular docking scores and anticancer activity. Further evaluations included MTT assays to determine the cytotoxicity of the compounds against Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (A-549) and pancreatic cancer (PANC-1) cell lines. Compounds with electron-donating groups displayed notable anticancer potential, and there was a correlation between NO release and anticancer activity. The study also investigated nitric oxide release from the compounds, revealing compound 6g as the highest NO releaser.

CONCLUSION

The synthesized quinoline nitrate derivatives showed promising anticancer activity, with compound 6g standing out as a potential lead compound. The correlation between molecular docking, NO release, and anticancer activity suggests the importance of specific structural features in the design of effective anticancer agents.

Nitric oxide-based multi-synergistic nanomedicine: an emerging therapeutic for anticancer

Gas therapy has emerged as a promising approach for treating cancer, with gases like NO, H2S, and CO showing positive effects. Among these, NO is considered a key gas molecule with significant potential in stopping cancer progression. However, due to its high reactivity and short half-life, delivering NO directly to tumors is crucial for enhancing cancer treatment. NO-driven nanomedicines (NONs) have been developed to effectively deliver NO donors to tumors, showing great progress in recent years. This review provides an overview of the latest advancements in NO-based cancer nanotherapeutics. It discusses the types of NO donors used in current research, the mechanisms of action behind NO therapy for cancer, and the different delivery systems for NO donors in nanotherapeutics. It also explores the potential of combining NO donors with other treatments for enhanced cancer therapy. Finally, it examines the future prospects and challenges of using NONs in clinical settings for cancer treatment.

Nitric Oxide Signaling and Sensing in Age-Related Diseases

Nitric oxide (NO) is a key signaling molecule involved in numerous physiological and pathological processes within the human body. This review specifically examines the involvement of NO in age-related diseases, focusing on the cardiovascular, nervous, and immune systems. The discussion delves into the mechanisms of NO signaling in these diseases, emphasizing the post-translational modifications of involved proteins, such as S-nitrosation and nitration. The review also covers the dual nature of NO, highlighting both its protective and harmful effects, determined by concentration, location, and timing. Additionally, potential therapies that modulate NO signaling, including the use of NO donors and nitric oxide synthases (NOSs) inhibitors in the treatment of cardiovascular, neurodegenerative, and oncological diseases, are analyzed. Particular attention is paid to the methods for the determination of NO and its derivatives in the context of illness diagnosis and monitoring. The review underscores the complexity and dual role of NO in maintaining cellular balance and suggests areas for future research in developing new therapeutic strategies.

Evaluation of Anticancer Activity of Nucleoside-Nitric Oxide Photo-Donor Hybrids

Herein, we report the synthesis of a new hybrid compound based on a 2'-deoxyuridine nucleoside conjugated with a NO photo-donor moiety (dU-t-NO) via CuAAC click chemistry. Hybrid dU-t-NO, as well as two previously reported 2'-deoxyadenosine based hybrids (dAdo-S-NO and dAdo-t-NO), were evaluated for their cytotoxic and cytostatic activities in selected cancer cell lines. dAdo-S-NO and dAdo-t-NO hybrids displayed higher activity with respect to dU-t-NO. All hybrids showed effective release of NO in the micromolar range. The photochemical behavior of the newly reported hybrid, dU-t-NO, was studied in the RKO colon carcinoma cell line, whereas the dAdo-t-NO hybrid was tested in both colon carcinoma RKO and hepatocarcinoma Hep 3B2.1-7 cell lines to evaluate the potential effect of NO released upon irradiation on cell viability. A customized irradiation apparatus for in vitro experiments was also designed.

Disturbances in Nitric Oxide Cycle and Related Molecular Pathways in Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma

It is important to note that maintaining adequate levels of nitric oxide (NO), the turnover, and the oxidation level of nitrogen are essential for the optimal progression of cellular processes, and alterations in the NO cycle indicate a crucial step in the onset and progression of multiple diseases. Cellular accumulation of NO and reactive nitrogen species in many types of tumour cells is expressed by an increased susceptibility to oxidative stress in the tumour microenvironment. Clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) is a progressive metabolic disease in which tumour cells can adapt to metabolic reprogramming to enhance NO production in the tumour space. Understanding the factors governing NO biosynthesis metabolites in ccRCC represents a relevant, valuable approach to studying NO-based anticancer therapy. Exploring the molecular processes mediated by NO, related disturbances in molecular pathways, and NO-mediated signalling pathways in ccRCC could have significant therapeutic implications in managing and treating this condition.