β-(1→3)-Glucan-mannitol conjugates: scope and amazing results

(E)-N-(3-(1-(2-(4-(2,2,2-Trifluoroacetamido)benzoyl)hydrazono)ethyl)phenyl)nicotinamide: A Novel Pyridine Derivative for Inhibiting Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2: Synthesis, Computational, and Anticancer Studies

(E)-N-(3-(1-(2-(4-(2,2,2-Trifluoroacetamido)benzoyl)hydrazono)ethyl)phenyl)nicotinamide (compound 10) was designed as an antiangiogenic VEGFR-2 inhibitor with the essential pharmacophoric structural properties to interact with the catalytic pocket of VEGFR-2. The designed derivative was synthesized, and its structure was confirmed through Ms, elemental, ¹H, and ¹³C spectral data. The potentiality of the designed pyridine derivative to bind with and inhibit the vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 (VEGFR-2) enzyme was indicated by molecular docking assessments. In addition, six molecular dynamic (MD) experiments proved its correct binding with VEGFR-2 over 100 ns. Additionally, the molecular mechanics energies, combined with the generalized born and surface area (MM-GBSA) analysis, identified the precise binding with optimum energy. To explore the stability and reactivity of the designed pyridine derivative, density functional theory (DFT) calculations, including electrostatic potential maps and total electron density, were carried out. Additionally, the absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and toxicity (ADMET) analysis demonstrated its general likeness and its safety. The designed compound was synthesized to evaluate its effects against VEGFR-2 protein, cancer, and normal cells. The in vitro results were concordant with the in silico results, because the new pyridine derivative (compound 10) displayed VEGFR-2 inhibition with an IC₅₀ value of 65 nM and displayed potent cytotoxic properties against hepatic (HepG2) and breast (MCF-7) cancer cell lines with IC₅₀ values of 21.00 and 26.10 μM, respectively; additionally, it exhibited high selectivity indices against the normal cell lines (W-38) of 1.55 and 1.25, respectively. The obtained results present compound 10 as a new lead VEGFR-2 inhibitor for further biological investigation and chemical modifications.

Addition of Selenium Improves Immunomodulative Effects of Glucan

Background:

Selenium (Se) is an established essential nutrient that plays a role in various biological processes including cancer development. Similarly, stimulation of immune reactions by β-glucans is well-documented.

Aims:

In the current study, we focused on the stimulation of phagocytosis and interleukin (IL)-2 production and on potentiation of anticancer immunity by a combination of glucan with two types of Se.

Materials and Methods:

Phagocytosis was evaluated using synthetic microspheres; cancer development was measured either using breast cancer cells or using lung cancer cells.

Results:

Using two different murine models of cancer, we showed that the Se/glucan combination strongly suppressed the growth of cancer, mostly probably via stimulation of immunity.

Conclusions:

A combination of glucan with Se offers superior stimulation of immunity and inhibition of cancer growth.