Cryptolepine Analog exhibits Antitumor Activity against Ehrlich Ascites Carcinoma Cells in Mice via Targeting Cell Growth, Oxidative Stress, and PTEN/Akt/mTOR Signaling Pathway

BACKGROUND

The efficacy of chemotherapy continues to be limited due to associated toxicity and chemoresistance. Thus, synthesizing and investigating novel agents for cancer treatment that could potentially eliminate such limitations is imperative.

OBJECTIVE

The current study aims to explore the anticancer potency of cryptolepine (CPE) analog on Ehrlich ascites carcinoma cells (EACs) in mice.

METHODS

The effect of a CPE analog on EAC cell viability and ascites volume, as well as malonaldehyde, total antioxidant capacity, and catalase, were estimated. The concentration of caspase-8 and mTOR in EACs was also measured, and the expression levels of PTEN and Akt were determined.

RESULTS

Results revealed that CPE analog exerts a cytotoxic effect on EAC cell viability and reduces the ascites volume. Moreover, this analog induces oxidative stress in EACs by increasing the level of malonaldehyde and decreasing the level of total antioxidant capacity and catalase activity. It also induces apoptosis by elevating the concentration of caspase-8 in EACs. Furthermore, it decreases the concentration of mTOR in EACs. Moreover, it upregulates the expression of PTEN and downregulates the expression of Akt in EACs.

CONCLUSION

Our findings showed the anticancer activity of CPE analog against EACs in mice mediated by regulation of the PTEN/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway.

Cytotoxic Potential of Novel Quinoline Derivative: 11-(1,4-Bisaminopropylpiperazinyl)5-methyl-5H-indolo[2,3-b]quinoline against Different Cancer Cell Lines via Activation and Deactivation of the Expression of Some Proteins

The current study evaluated the cytotoxic activity of 11-(1,4-bisaminopropylpiperazinyl)5-methyl-5H-indolo[2,3-b]quinoline (BAPPN), a novel derivative of 5-methyl-5H-indolo[2,3-b]quinoline, against hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG2), colon carcinoma (HCT-116), breast (MCF-7), and lung (A549) cancer cell lines and the possible molecular mechanism through which it exerts its cytotoxic activity. BAPPN was synthesized and characterized with FT-IR and NMR spectroscopy. The binding affinity scores of BAPPN for caspase-3 PDB: 7JL7 was -7.836, with an RMSD of 1.483° A. In silico screening of ADME properties indicated that BAPPN showed promising oral bioavailability records in addition to their high gastrointestinal absorption and blood-brain barrier penetrability. BAPPN induced cytotoxicity, with IC50 values of 3.3, 23, 3.1, and 9.96 μg/mL against cancer cells HepG2, HCT-116, MCF-7, and A549, respectively. In addition, it induced cell injury and morphological changes in ultracellular structure, including cellular delayed activity, vanishing of membrane blebbing, microvilli, cytoplasmic condensation, and shrunken nucleus with more condensed chromatin autophagosomes. Furthermore, BAPPN significantly increased the protein expression of caspase-3 and tumor suppressor protein (P53). However, it significantly reduced the secretion of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) protein into the medium and decreased the protein expression of proliferation cellular nuclear antigen (PCNA) and Ki67 in HepG2, HCT-116, MCF-7, and A549 cells. This study indicates that BAPPN has cytotoxic action against liver, colon, breast, and lung cancer cell lines via the up-regulation of apoptotic proteins, caspase-3 and P53, and the downregulation of proliferative proteins, VEGF, PCNA, and Ki67.

Molluscicidal and Larvicidal Potency of N-Heterocylic Analogs against Biomophalaria alexandrina Snails and Schistosoma mansoni Larval Stages

This work describes the synthesis of quinoline-based N--heterocyclic arenes and their biological evaluation as molluscicides against adult Biomophalaria alexandrina snails as well as larvicides against Schistosoma mansoni larvae (miracidia and cercariae). Molecular docking studies were demonstrated to investigate their affinity for cysteine protease protein as an interesting target for antiparasitics. Compound AEAN showed the best docking results followed by APAN in comparison to the co-crystallized ligand D1R reflected by their binding affinities and RMSD values. The egg production, hatchability of B. alexandrina snails and ultrastructural topography of S. mansoni cercariae using SEM were assessed. Biological evaluations (hatchability and egg-laying capacity) revealed that the quinoline hydrochloride salt CAAQ was the most effective compound against adult B. alexandrina snails, whereas the indolo-quinoline derivative APAN had the most efficiency against miracidia, and the acridinyl derivative AEAA was the most effective against cercariae and caused 100% mortality. CAAQ and AEAA were found to modulate the biological responses of B. alexandrina snails with/without S. mansoni infection and larval stages that will affect S. mansoni infection. AEAA caused deleterious morphological effects on cercariae. CAAQ caused inhibition in the number of eggs/snail/week and reduced reproductive rate to 43.8% in all the experimental groups. CAAQ and AEAA can be recommended as an effective molluscicide of plant origin for the control program of schistosomiasis.

Impact of Synthesized Indoloquinoline Analog to Isolates from Cryptolepis sanguinolenta on Tumor Growth Inhibition and Hepatotoxicity in Ehrlich Solid Tumor-Bearing Female Mice

The study evaluated the antitumor efficacy of APAN, “synthesized indoloquinoline analog derived from the parent neocryptolepine isolated from the roots of Cryptolepis sanguinolenta”, versus the chemotherapeutic drug etoposide (ETO) in Ehrlich solid tumor (EST)-bearing female mice as well as its protective effect against etoposide-triggered hepatic disorders. APAN showed an ameliorative activity against Ehrlich solid tumor and hepatic toxicity, and the greatest improvement was found in the combined treatment of APAN with ETO. The results indicated that EST altered the levels of tumor markers (AFP, CEA, and anti-dsDNA) and liver biomarker function (ALT, AST, ALP, ALB, and T. protein). Furthermore, EST elevated CD68 and anti-survivin proteins immuno-expressions in the solid tumor and liver tissue. Molecular docking studies were demonstrated to investigate their affinity for both TNF-α and topoisomerase II as target proteins, as etoposide is based on the inhibition of topoisomerase II, and TNF-α is quite highly expressed in the solid tumor and liver tissues of EST-bearing animals, which prompted the authors’ interest to explore APAN affinity to its binding site. Treatment of mice bearing EST with APAN and ETO nearly regularized serum levels of the altered parameters and ameliorated the impact of EST on the tissue structure of the liver better than that by treatment with each of them separately.

Synthesis, Biocidal and Antibiofilm Activities of New Isatin-Quinoline Conjugates against Multidrug-Resistant Bacterial Pathogens along with Their In Silico Screening

Isatin-quinoline conjugates 10a-f and 11a-f were assembled by the reaction of N-(bromobutyl) isatin derivatives 3a, b with aminoquinolines 6a-c and their corresponding hydrazinyl 9a-c in good yields. The structures of the resulting conjugates were established by spectroscopic tools and showed data consistent with the proposed structures. In vitro antibacterial activity against different bacterial strains was evaluated. All tested conjugates showed significant biocidal activity with lower MIC than the first line drugs chloramphenicol and ampicillin. Conjugates 10a, 10b and 10f displayed the most potent activity against all clinical isolates. The antibiofilm activity for all tested conjugates was screened against the reference drug vancomycin using the MRSA strain. The results revealed that all conjugates had an inhibitory activity against biofilm formation and conjugate. Conjugate 11a showed 83.60% inhibition at 10 mg/mL. In addition, TEM studies were used to prove the mechanism of antibacterial action of conjugates 10a and 11a against (MRSA). Modeling procedures were performed on 10a-f and 11a-f and interestingly the results were nearly consistent with the biological activities. In addition, in silico pharmacokinetic evaluation was performed and revealed that the synthesized compounds 10a-f and 11a-f were considered drug-like molecules with promising bioavailability and high GI absorption. The results confirmed that the title compounds caused the disruption of bacterial cell membranes and could be used as potential leads for the further development and optimization of antibacterial agents.

Experimental and Molecular Docking Studies of Cyclic Diphenyl Phosphonates as DNA Gyrase Inhibitors for Fluoroquinolone-Resistant Pathogens

DNA gyrase and topoisomerase IV are proven to be validated targets in the design of novel antibacterial drugs. In this study, we report the antibacterial evaluation and molecular docking studies of previously synthesized two series of cyclic diphenylphosphonates (1a–e and 2a–e) as DNA gyrase inhibitors. The synthesized compounds were screened for their activity (antibacterial and DNA gyrase inhibition) against ciprofloxacin-resistant E.coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae clinical isolates having mutations (deletion and substitution) in QRDR region of DNA gyrase. The target compound (2a) that exhibited the most potent activity against ciprofloxacin Gram-negative clinical isolates was selected to screen its inhibitory activity against DNA gyrase displayed IC₅₀ of 12.03 µM. In addition, a docking study was performed with inhibitor (2a), to illustrate its binding mode in the active site of DNA gyrase and the results were compatible with the observed inhibitory potency. Furthermore, the docking study revealed that the binding of inhibitor (2a) to DNA gyrase is mediated and modulated by divalent Mg²⁺ at good binding energy (–9.08 Kcal/mol). Moreover, structure-activity relationships (SARs) demonstrated that the combination of hydrazinyl moiety in conjunction with the cyclic diphenylphosphonate based scaffold resulted in an optimized molecule that inhibited the bacterial DNA gyrase by its detectable effect in vitro on gyrase-catalyzed DNA supercoiling activity.

Ameliorative effects of 9-diaminoacridine derivative against Ehrlich ascites carcinoma-induced hepatorenal injury in mice

Ehrlich ascites carcinoma induces hepatorenal injuries while acridine derivatives have antioxidant, anticancer, and anti-inflammatory. Thus, this study evaluated the protective potential of a newly synthesized the 9-diaminoacridine derivative (9-DAAD), N1-(acridin-9-yl) propane-1, 3-diamine hydrochloride, against Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC) induced hepatorenal injury in female mice. Forty female mice were allocated into 4 groups. Group I was injected with 0.1% DMSO subcutaneously and kept a control. Group II received 9-DAAD (30 mg/kg bw/2 days) subcutaneously for 2 weeks. Group III was injected interaperitonealy with 2.5 × 10⁶ cells of EAC/20 g bw. Group IV was injected with EAC as the third group and administered with 9-DAAD as the second group for 2 weeks after induction of EAC. EAC significantly elevated total leukocytes and platelets counts; activities of serum AST, ALT, and ALP; serum levels of alpha-fetoprotein; carcinoembryonic antigen; urea and creatinine; and expression of vascular endothelial growth factor protein in hepatic and renal tissues. Meanwhile it decreased red blood cells count, hemoglobin concentration and hematocrit value. At the same time, it significantly reduced serum levels of total protein and albumin and altered hepatic and renal tissues structures. Also, EAC decreased apoptosis and DNA synthesis in hepatic and renal cells. However, treatment of EAC-bearing mice with 9-DAAD improved liver and kidney structures, functions and modulated EAC altered parameters, as well as it reduced hepatic and renal cells proliferation and DNA synthesis. This study indicated that 9-DAAD had a potential ameliorative effect against EAC-induced hepatorenal injury.