The Effect of Furanocoumarin Derivatives on Induction of Apoptosis and Multidrug Resistance in Human Leukemic Cells

Inhibitory potential of furanocoumarins against cyclin dependent kinase 4 using integrated docking, molecular dynamics and ONIOM methods

Cyclin Dependent Kinase 4 (CDK4) is vital in the process of cell-cycle and serves as a G1 phase checkpoint in cell division. Selective antagonists of CDK4 which are in use as clinical chemotherapeutics cause various side-effects in patients. Furanocoumarins induce anti-cancerous effects in a range of human tumours. Therefore, targeting these compounds against CDK4 is anticipated to enhance therapeutic effectiveness. This work intended to explore the CDK4 inhibitory potential of 50 furanocoumarin molecules, using a comprehensive approach that integrates the processes of docking, drug-likeness, pharmacokinetic analysis, molecular dynamics simulations and ONIOM (Our own N-layered Integrated molecular Orbital and Molecular mechanics) methods. The top five best docked compounds obtained from docking studies were screened for subsequent analysis. The molecules displayed good pharmacokinetic properties and no toxicity. Epoxybergamottin, dihydroxybergamottin and notopterol were found to inhabit the ATP-binding zone of CDK4 with substantial stability and negative binding free energy forming hydrogen bonds with key catalytic residues of the protein. Notopterol exhibiting the highest binding energy was subjected to ONIOM calculations wherein the hydrogen bonding interactions were retained with significant negative interaction energy. Hence, through these series of computerised methods, notopterol was screened as a potent CDK4 inhibitor and can act as a starting point in successive processes of drug design.

Recent Perspectives on Anticancer Potential of Coumarin Against Different Human Malignancies: An Updated Review

Coumarins, a group of naturally occurring compounds, have been reported to demonstrate anticancer potential. These substances, distinguished by their combined benzene and α-pyrone rings, have been demonstrated to impact multiple cellular mechanisms essential for the initiation and advancement of cancer. These agents work in different ways that prevent different tumor cells from growing, spreading, and increasing. One of the main anticancer mechanisms of coumarin act is killing cancer cells through apoptosis. This includes changes to pro- and anti-apoptotic proteins like Bcl-2 and Bax, the release of cytochrome c from mitochondria, and the activation of caspases. The tumor suppressor protein p53's expression has been discovered to be upregulated by coumarins such as esculetin and imperatorin, which encourage interrupted cell cycle and death. Additionally, coumarin has anti-angiogenic qualities, which are critical for the development and spread of tumors. It can slow the development of new blood vessels that feed tumors by inhibiting the "vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)" route of signaling. Coumarins inhibit the number of signaling pathways that are vital for cell division. For example, they can suppress the "PI3K/mTOR" pathway, which usually impairs the cancer cells and results in decreased cell viability and growth. Finally, coumarins could modulate the response of the immune system to cancerous cells. They have the ability to boost the activity of natural killer cells and cytotoxic T lymphocytes, which aid the immune system in identifying and eliminating cancer cells. Through a variety of mechanisms, such as immune response regulation, angiogenesis reduction, cell growth inhibition, and apoptosis activation, coumarins exhibit their anticancer effects. These molecular pathways demonstrate coumarins' potential as an interesting option for the development of novel anticancer treatments. More studies are needed to completely understand their modes of action and maximize their therapeutic efficacy.

Latest developments in coumarin-based anticancer agents: mechanism of action and structure-activity relationship studies

Many researchers around the world are working on the development of novel anticancer drugs with different mechanisms of action. In this case, coumarin is a highly promising pharmacophore for the development of novel anticancer drugs. Besides, the hybridization of this moiety with other anticancer pharmacophores has emerged as a potent breakthrough in the treatment of cancer to decrease its side effects and increase its efficiency. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the recent development of coumarin derivatives and their application as novel anticancer drugs. Herein, we highlight and describe the largest number of research works reported in this field from 2015 to August 2023, along with their mechanisms of action and structure-activity relationship studies, making this review different from the other review articles published on this topic to date.

Investigation of cytotoxic and antioxidative activity of 1,2,3-triazolyl-modified furocoumarins and 2,3-dihydrofurocoumarins

High biological activity of natural furocoumarins is often linked to a series of adverse side effects, e.g., genotoxicity. This makes it desirable to develop semi-synthetic derivatives with reduced negative activity while retaining or even enhancing the positive properties. Previously, we have studied the genotoxic activity of a library of twenty-one 1,2,3-triazolyl-modified furocoumarins and 2,3-dihydrofurocoumarins and identified modifications that minimize the negative properties. In the current article, we report on an investigation into the cytotoxic activity of the same library. We have aimed to rank the substances in order of the severity of their cytotoxicity and therefore to predict, with the use of statistical processing, the most promising substituents for the furocoumarin scaffold.

Pharmacological Correction of Cisplatin-Induced Hemostatic Disorders

A single intraperitoneal administration of cisplatin in the MTD to outbred female mice disturbed hemostasis and formed the procoagulant phenotype of hemostatic potential on days 7-10 culminating in a pronounced hypocoagulation on day 15. Hemostasis was corrected with warfarin and an extract containing furocoumarins composed of isopimpinellin (42.97%), bergapten (35.18%), and xanthotoxin (15.41%). The extract was standardized with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, thin-layer chromatography, and HPLC. Furocoumarins and reference drug warfarin were administered intragastrically during 4 days starting on day 6 after the administration of cisplatin. Both furocoumarins and warfarin corrected hypercoagulation on days 7-10. On day 10, furocoumarins normalized coagulation, whereas warfarin resulted in hypocoagulation. On days 15-30, no effects of warfarin were observed. furocoumarins corrected hypocoagulation on days 15-20 with prolongation of this effect up to experimental day 30.