1
|
Gong G, Kam H, Bai Y, Cheang WS, Wu S, Cheng X, Giesy JP, Lee SMY. 6-benzylaminopurine causes endothelial dysfunctions to human umbilical vein endothelial cells and exacerbates atorvastatin-induced cerebral hemorrhage in zebrafish. Environ Toxicol 2024; 39:1258-1268. [PMID: 37929299 DOI: 10.1002/tox.24012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2023] [Revised: 08/26/2023] [Accepted: 10/07/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023]
Abstract
6-benzylaminopurine (6-BA), a multifunctional plant growth regulator, which is frequently used worldwide to improve qualities of various crops, is an important ingredient in production of "toxic bean sprouts." Although there is no direct evidence of adverse effects, its hazardous effects, as well as joint toxicity with other chemicals, have received particular attention and aroused furious debate between proponents and environmental regulators. By use of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), adverse effects of 6-BA to human-derived cells were first demonstrated in this study. A total of 25-50 mg 6-BA/L inhibited proliferation, migration, and formation of tubular-like structures by 50% in vitro. Results of Western blot analyses revealed that exposure to 6-BA differentially modulated the MAPK signal transduction pathway in HUVECs. Specifically, 6-BA decreased phosphorylation of MEK and ERK, but increased phosphorylation of JNK and P38. In addition, 6-BA exacerbated atorvastatin-induced cerebral hemorrhage via increasing hemorrhagic occurrence by 60% and areas by 4 times in zebrafish larvae. In summary, 6-BA elicited toxicity to the endothelial system of HUVECs and zebrafish. This was due, at least in part, to discoordination of MAPK signaling pathway, which should pose potential risks to the cerebral vascular system.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Guiyi Gong
- Zhanjiang Institute of Clinical Medicine, Central People's Hospital of Zhanjiang, Zhanjiang, China
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine and Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macao, China
| | - Hiotong Kam
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine and Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macao, China
| | - Yubin Bai
- Zhanjiang Institute of Clinical Medicine, Central People's Hospital of Zhanjiang, Zhanjiang, China
| | - Wai San Cheang
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine and Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macao, China
| | - Shuilong Wu
- Zhanjiang Institute of Clinical Medicine, Central People's Hospital of Zhanjiang, Zhanjiang, China
| | - Xiaoning Cheng
- Zhanjiang Institute of Clinical Medicine, Central People's Hospital of Zhanjiang, Zhanjiang, China
| | - John P Giesy
- Department of Food Science and Nutrition, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Hong Kong, China
- Research Centre for Chinese Medicine Innovation, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Hong Kong, China
- Toxicology Centre, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatchewan, Canada
| | - Simon Ming-Yuen Lee
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine and Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macao, China
- Department of Veterinary Biomedical Sciences, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Baylor University, Waco, Texas, United States
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
He Y, Kam H, Wu X, Chen Q, Lee SMY. Dual effect of aucubin on promoting VEGFR2 mediated angiogenesis and reducing RANKL-induced bone resorption. Chin Med 2023; 18:108. [PMID: 37641047 PMCID: PMC10464038 DOI: 10.1186/s13020-023-00786-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Angiogenesis is regarded as a critical role in bone repair and regeneration, involving in pathological bone disorders such as osteoporosis. Aucubin, an iridoid glycoside primarily derived from Eucommia ulmoides, is reported to inhibit osteoclast activity, enhance bone formation and promote angiogenesis in osteoporosis models. Our study is to further investigate the anti-osteoporosis effect of aucubin in transgenic medaka, and the pro-angiogenic effect of aucubin and its mechanism of action both in vivo and in vitro. METHODS The anti-osteoporosis effect of aucubin was confirmed by using RANKL-stimulated bone resorption transgenic medaka. The pro-angiogenic effect of aucubin in vivo was investigated using vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) tyrosine kinase inhibitor II (VRI)-induced vascular insufficient transgenic zebrafish model. Furthermore, endothelial cell proliferation, migration, tube formation and the mechanisms were evaluated to identify the pro-angiogenic effect of aucubin in normal and su5416-injured human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). RESULTS Aucubin decreased the resorption of the mineralized bone matrix and centra degradation in heat-shocked transgenic col10α1:nlGFP/rankl:HSE:CFP medaka. Moreover, aucubin reversed VRI-induced vascular insufficiency in zebrafish through regulating flt1, kdr, kdrl, vegfaa, ang-1, ang-2, tie1 and tie2 mRNA expressions in Tg(fli1a:EGFP)y1 or AB wild type zebrafish. Aucubin promoted cell proliferation by upregulating p-mTOR, p-Src, p-MEK, p-Erk1/2, p-Akt and p-FAK in HUVECs. Furthermore, aucubin exhibited a pro-angiogenic effect on su5416-injured HUVECs by promoting their proliferation, migration, and tube formation through regulating the phosphorylation of VEGFR2, MEK, ERK and the ratio of Bcl2-Bax. CONCLUSION Aucubin could reduce bone resorption in RANKL-induced osteoporosis medaka by live imaging. Meanwhile, aucubin exhibited a protective effect in VRI-induced vascular insufficient zebrafish by regulating VEGF-VEGFR and Ang-Tie signaling pathways. Additionally, aucubin promoted the proliferation, migration and tube formation of HUVECs probably by mediating VEGFR2/MEK/ERK, Akt/mTOR and Src/FAK signalling pathways. This study further indicated the dual effect of aucubin on angiogenesis and osteogenesis which may be beneficial to its treatment of osteoporosis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yulin He
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine and Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Avenida da Universidade, Taipa, 999078, Macao, China
- Department of Food Science and Nutrition, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, 999077, Hong Kong, China
| | - Hiotong Kam
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine and Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Avenida da Universidade, Taipa, 999078, Macao, China
| | - Xue Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine and Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Avenida da Universidade, Taipa, 999078, Macao, China
| | - Qian Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine and Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Avenida da Universidade, Taipa, 999078, Macao, China
- Center for Evolution and Conservation Biology, Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Guangzhou), Guangzhou, 511458, China
| | - Simon Ming Yuen Lee
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine and Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Avenida da Universidade, Taipa, 999078, Macao, China.
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Avenida da Universidade, Taipa, 999078, Macao, China.
- Department of Food Science and Nutrition, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, 999077, Hong Kong, China.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Gong G, Kam H, Bai Y, Zhao H, Giesy JP, Lee SMY. 6-Benzylaminopurine causes lipid dyshomeostasis via disruption of glycerophospholipid metabolism in zebrafish. Sci Total Environ 2023; 878:163194. [PMID: 37001669 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.163194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2023] [Revised: 03/07/2023] [Accepted: 03/27/2023] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
6-Benzylaminopurine (6-BA) is ubiquitous in agricultural production and is accessible to humans through diets. The modulation of lipid metabolism by 6-BA has been previously demonstrated in plants and oleaginous microorganisms. Therefore, whether it alters lipid homeostasis in other living organisms requires further investigation. In this study, doses ≥10 mg 6-BA/L caused malformation of the yolk sac, steatosis, and other hepatopathies in zebrafish larvae. Exposure to 25 mg 6-BA/L resulted in increased levels of triglyceride and total cholesterol. Results of transcriptomic analysis indicated that 6-BA alters genes associated with fatty acid and glycerophospholipid metabolism. Among them, the expression levels of hmgcra, elovl7b, and apobb.2 were downregulated, whereas those of lpcat3, bco1l, cyp7al, fabp1b.1, elp6, pde6ha, apoa4b.2_2, sgk1, dgkaa, and mogat2 were upregulated. Correspondingly, a study of the metabolome identified lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC) as the major differentially expressed metabolite in response to 6-BA treatment. Therefore, abnormal accumulation of LPCs and dyshomeostasis of glycerophospholipid metabolism were identified as potential mechanisms causing the toxicity of 6-BA, which should be assessed to understand the risks of 6-BA and the products contaminated by it. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPLICATION: 6-Benzylaminopurine (6-BA), an important residue in "toxic bean sprouts," is ubiquitous in agricultural production and is common in typical diets. Its regulation of lipid metabolism has been demonstrated in plants and oleaginous microorganisms. Whether it alters lipid homeostasis in other organisms and the underlying mechanisms remain largely unknown. The worldwide use of 6-BA and the potential exposure of humans have aroused public attention owing to its hazardous effects; thus, its hazardous effects, particularly those on lipid homeostasis, deserve careful clarification.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Guiyi Gong
- Zhanjiang Institute of Clinical Medicine, Central People's Hospital of Zhanjiang, Zhanjiang 524045, China; State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, 999078, Macao.
| | - Hiotong Kam
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, 999078, Macao
| | - Yubin Bai
- Zhanjiang Institute of Clinical Medicine, Central People's Hospital of Zhanjiang, Zhanjiang 524045, China
| | - Hongxia Zhao
- Zhanjiang Institute of Clinical Medicine, Central People's Hospital of Zhanjiang, Zhanjiang 524045, China
| | - John P Giesy
- Toxicology Centre, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 5B3, Canada; Department of Veterinary Biomedical Sciences, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 5B4, Canada; Department of Environmental Sciences, Baylor University, Waco, TX 76706, United States
| | - Simon Ming-Yuen Lee
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, 999078, Macao; Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, 999078, Macao
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Gao C, Kwong CHT, Wang Q, Kam H, Xie B, Lee SMY, Chen G, Wang R. Conjugation of Macrophage-Mimetic Microalgae and Liposome for Antitumor Sonodynamic Immunotherapy via Hypoxia Alleviation and Autophagy Inhibition. ACS Nano 2023; 17:4034-4049. [PMID: 36739531 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.3c00041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Sonodynamic therapy (SDT) is a noninvasive technique for local antitumor treatment; however, its clinical application is often limited by the low tumor accumulation of SDT agents, tumor's hypoxic microenvironment, and cytoprotective effects of autophagy. To address these issues, herein we developed surface-engineered chlorella (Chl, a green algae) as a targeted drug carrier and sustainable oxygen supplier (via photosynthesis) for significantly improved SDT via hypoxia alleviation as well as autophagy inhibition of chloroquine phosphate. In this design, the macrophage membrane was coated onto Chl to form macrophage-mimetic Chl (MChl) to increase its biocompatibility and targeted tumor accumulation driven by the inflammatory-homing effects of macrophage membranes. In addition, the membrane coating on Chl allowed lipid insertion to yield β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) modified MChl (CD-MChl). Subsequently, supramolecular conjugates of MChl-NP were constructed via host-guest interactions between CD-MChl and adamantane (ADA)-modified liposome (ADA-NP), and the anchored liposome went with CD-MChl hand-in-hand to the tumor tissues for co-delivery of Chl, hematoporphyrin, and chloroquine phosphate (loaded in ADA-NP). The synergistic therapy achieved via local oxygenation, SDT, and autophagy inhibition maximally improved the therapeutic efficacy of MChl-CQ-HP-NP against melanoma. Tumor rechallenging results revealed that the changes of tumor microenvironment including hypoxia alleviation, SDT induced immunogenic cell death, and autophagy inhibition collectively induced a strong antitumor immune response and memory.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Cheng Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Taipa, Macau SAR 999078, China
- MoE Frontiers Science Center for Precision Oncology, University of Macau, Taipa, Macau SAR 999078, China
| | - Cheryl H T Kwong
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Taipa, Macau SAR 999078, China
| | - Qingfu Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Taipa, Macau SAR 999078, China
| | - Hiotong Kam
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Taipa, Macau SAR 999078, China
| | - Beibei Xie
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Taipa, Macau SAR 999078, China
| | - Simon Ming-Yuen Lee
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Taipa, Macau SAR 999078, China
| | - Guosong Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Engineering of Polymers, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Ruibing Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Taipa, Macau SAR 999078, China
- MoE Frontiers Science Center for Precision Oncology, University of Macau, Taipa, Macau SAR 999078, China
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Gong G, Kam H, Chen H, Chen Y, Cheang WS, Giesy JP, Zhou Q, Lee SMY. Role of endocrine disruption in toxicity of 6-benzylaminopurine (6-BA) to early-life stages of Zebrafish. Ecotoxicol Environ Saf 2022; 232:113287. [PMID: 35149407 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2022.113287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2021] [Revised: 01/20/2022] [Accepted: 02/02/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
6-benzylaminopurine (6-BA), classified as a "plant hormone", is an important ingredient in production of "toxic bean sprouts". Although there is no direct evidence of adverse effects, its hazardous effects have received some attention and aroused furious debate between proponents and environmental regulators. In this study, potential adverse effects of 6-BA were investigated by exposing zebrafish in vivo to 0.2 - 25 mg 6-BA/L. Results indicated that, when exposure was limited to early-life stage (4-36 hpf), 20 mg 6-BA/L caused early hatching, abnormal spontaneous movement, and precocious hyperactivity in zebrafish embryos/larvae. While under a continuous exposure regime, 6-BA at 0.2 mg/L was able to cause hyperactive locomotion and transcription of genes related to neurogenesis (gnrh3 and nestin) and endocrine systems (cyp19a and fshb) in 5 dpf larvae. Quantification by use of LC/MS indicated bioaccumulation of 6-BA in zebrafish increased when exposed to 0.2 or 20 mg 6-BA/L. These results suggested that 6-BA could accumulate in aquatic organisms and disrupt neuro-endocrine systems. Accordingly, exposure to 0.2 mg 6-BA/L increased production of estradiol (E2) and consequently E2/T ratio in zebrafish larvae, which directly indicated 6-BA is estrogenic. In silico simulations demonstrated potential for binding of 6-BA to estrogen receptor alpha (ERa) and cytochrome P450 aromatase (CYP19A). Therefore, induction of estrogenic effects, via potential interactions with hormone receptors or disturbance of downstream transcription signaling, was possible mechanism underlying the toxicity of 6-BA. Taken together, these findings demonstrate endocrine disrupting properties of 6-BA, which suggest concerns about risks posed to endocrine systems.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Guiyi Gong
- Zhanjiang Institute of Clinical Medicine, Central People's Hospital of Zhanjiang, Zhanjiang 524045, China; State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine and Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macao, China.
| | - Hiotong Kam
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine and Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macao, China
| | - Hanbin Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine and Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macao, China
| | - Yan Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine and Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macao, China
| | - Wai San Cheang
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine and Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macao, China
| | - John P Giesy
- Toxicology Centre, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon Saskatchewan S7N 5B3, Canada; Department of Veterinary Biomedical Sciences, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon Saskatchewan S7N 5B4, Canada; Department of Environmental Sciences, Baylor University, Waco, TX 76706, United States
| | - Qiaohong Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430072, China
| | - Simon Ming-Yuen Lee
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine and Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macao, China.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Wang X, Liao Q, Chen H, Gong G, Siu SWI, Chen Q, Kam H, Ung COL, Cheung KK, Rádis-Baptista G, Wong CTT, Lee SMY. Toxic Peptide From Palythoa caribaeorum Acting on the TRPV1 Channel Prevents Pentylenetetrazol-Induced Epilepsy in Zebrafish Larvae. Front Pharmacol 2021; 12:763089. [PMID: 34925021 PMCID: PMC8672801 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.763089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2021] [Accepted: 11/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
PcActx peptide, identified from the transcriptome of zoantharian Palythoa caribaeorum, was clustered into the phylogeny of analgesic polypeptides from sea anemone Heteractis crispa (known as APHC peptides). APHC peptides were considered as inhibitors of transient receptor potential cation channel subfamily V member 1 (TRPV1). TRPV1 is a calcium-permeable channel expressed in epileptic brain areas, serving as a potential target for preventing epileptic seizures. Through in silico and in vitro analysis, PcActx peptide was shown to be a potential TRPV1 channel blocker. In vivo studies showed that the linear and oxidized PcActx peptides caused concentration-dependent increases in mortality of zebrafish larvae. However, monotreatment with PcActx peptides below the maximum tolerated doses (MTD) did not affect locomotor behavior. Moreover, PcActx peptides (both linear and oxidized forms) could effectively reverse pentylenetetrazol (PTZ)-induced seizure-related behavior in zebrafish larvae and prevent overexpression of c-fos and npas4a at the mRNA level. The excessive production of ROS induced by PTZ was markedly attenuated by both linear and oxidized PcActx peptides. It was also verified that the oxidized PcActx peptide was more effective than the linear one. In particular, oxidized PcActx peptide notably modulated the mRNA expression of genes involved in calcium signaling and γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA)ergic-glutamatergic signaling, including calb1, calb2, gabra1, grm1, gria1b, grin2b, gat1, slc1a2b, gad1b, and glsa. Taken together, PcActx peptide, as a novel neuroactive peptide, exhibits prominent anti-epileptic activity, probably through modulating calcium signaling and GABAergic-glutamatergic signaling, and is a promising candidate for epilepsy management.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiufen Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine and Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macau, China
| | - Qiwen Liao
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine and Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macau, China.,School of Life and Health Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, China
| | - Hanbin Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine and Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macau, China
| | - Guiyi Gong
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine and Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macau, China
| | - Shirley Weng In Siu
- Department of Computer and Information Science, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Macau, Macau, China
| | - Qian Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine and Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macau, China
| | - Hiotong Kam
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine and Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macau, China
| | - Carolina Oi Lam Ung
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine and Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macau, China
| | - Kwok-Kuen Cheung
- Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China
| | - Gandhi Rádis-Baptista
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Institute for Marine Sciences, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, Brazil
| | - Clarence Tsun Ting Wong
- Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China
| | - Simon Ming-Yuen Lee
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine and Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macau, China
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Kwong CHT, Mu J, Li S, Fang Y, Liu Q, Zhang X, Kam H, Lee SMY, Chen Y, Deng F, Zhou X, Wang R. Reviving chloroquine for anti-SARS-CoV-2 treatment with cucurbit[7]uril-based supramolecular formulation. CHINESE CHEM LETT 2021; 32:3019-3022. [PMID: 33840982 PMCID: PMC8019245 DOI: 10.1016/j.cclet.2021.04.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2021] [Revised: 03/31/2021] [Accepted: 04/01/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
The wide-spreading SARS-CoV-2 virus has put the world into boiling water for more than a year, however pharmacological therapies to act effectively against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) remain elusive. Chloroquine (CQ), an antimalarial drug, was found to exhibit promising antiviral activity in vitro and in vivo at a high dosage, thus CQ was approved by the FDA for the emergency use authorization (EUA) in the fight against COVID-19 in the US, but later was revoked the EUA status due to the severe clinical toxicity. Herein, we show that supramolecular formulation of CQ by a macrocyclic host, curcurbit[7]uril (CB[7]), reduced its non-specific toxicity and improved its antiviral activity against coronavirus, working in synergy with CB[7]. CB[7] was found to form 1:1 host-guest complexes with CQ, with a binding constant of ∼104 L/mol. The CQ-CB[7] formulation decreased the cytotoxicity of CQ against Vero E6 and L-02 cell lines. In particular, the cytotoxicity of CQ (60 μmol/L) against both Vero E6 cell line and L-02 cell lines was completely inhibited in the presence of 300 μmol/L and 600 μmol/L CB[7], respectively. Furthermore, the CB[7] alone showed astonishing antiviral activity in SARS-CoV-2 infected Vero E6 cells and mouse hepatitis virus strain A59 (MHV-A59) infected N2A cells, and synergistically improved the antiviral activity of CQ-CB[7], suggesting that CB[7]-based CQ formulation has a great potential as a safe and effective antiviral agent against SARS-CoV-2 and other coronavirus.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Cheryl H T Kwong
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macau 999078, China
| | - Jingfang Mu
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Center for Biosafety Mega-Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Shengke Li
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macau 999078, China
| | - Yaohui Fang
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Center for Biosafety Mega-Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Qianyun Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China
| | - Xiangjun Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macau 999078, China
| | - Hiotong Kam
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macau 999078, China
| | - Simon M Y Lee
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macau 999078, China
| | - Yu Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China
| | - Fei Deng
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Center for Biosafety Mega-Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Xi Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Center for Biosafety Mega-Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Wuhan 430071, China
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China
| | - Ruibing Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macau 999078, China
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Gong G, Kam H, Tse YC, Giesy JP, Seto SW, Lee SMY. Forchlorfenuron (CPPU) causes disorganization of the cytoskeleton and dysfunction of human umbilical vein endothelial cells, and abnormal vascular development in zebrafish embryos. Environ Pollut 2021; 271:115791. [PMID: 33401215 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2020.115791] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2020] [Revised: 09/23/2020] [Accepted: 10/05/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Forchlorfenuron (CPPU) has been used worldwide, to boost size and improve quality of various agricultural products. CPPU and its metabolites are persistent and have been detected frequently in fruits, water, sediments, and organisms in aquatic systems. Although the public became aware of CPPU through the exploding watermelon scandal of 2011 in Zhenjiang, China, little was known of its potential effects on the environment and wildlife. In this study, adverse effects of CPPU on developmental angiogenesis and vasculature, which is vulnerable to insults of persistent toxicants, were studied in vivo in zebrafish embryos (Danio rerio). Exposure to 10 mg CPPU/L impaired survival and hatching, while development was hindered by exposure to 2.5 mg CPPU/L. Developing vascular structure, including common cardinal veins (CCVs), intersegmental vessels (ISVs) and sub-intestinal vessels (SIVs), were significantly restrained by exposure to CPPU, in a dose-dependent manner. Also, CPPU caused disorganization of the cytoskeleton. In human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), CPPU inhibited proliferation, migration and formation of tubular-like structures in vitro. Results of Western blot analyses revealed that exposure to CPPU increased phosphorylation of FLT-1, but inhibited phosphorylation of FAK and its downstream MAPK pathway in HUVECs. In summary, CPPU elicited developmental toxicity to the developing endothelial system of zebrafish and HUVECs. This was do, at least in part due to inhibition of the FAK/MAPK signaling pathway rather than direct interaction with the VEGF receptor (VEGFR).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Guiyi Gong
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine and Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macau; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Cell Microenvironment and Disease Research, Department of Biology, Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech), Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Hiotong Kam
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine and Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macau
| | - Yu-Chung Tse
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Cell Microenvironment and Disease Research, Department of Biology, Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech), Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - John P Giesy
- Toxicology Centre, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, S7N 5B3, Canada; Department of Veterinary Biomedical Sciences, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, S7N 5B4, Canada; Department of Environmental Sciences, Baylor University, Waco, TX, 76706, United States
| | - Sai-Wang Seto
- Department of Applied Biology and Chemistry Technology, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China
| | - Simon Ming-Yuen Lee
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine and Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macau.
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Gong G, Chen H, Kam H, Chan G, Tang YX, Wu M, Tan H, Tse YC, Xu HX, Lee SMY. In Vivo Screening of Xanthones from Garcinia oligantha Identified Oliganthin H as a Novel Natural Inhibitor of Convulsions. J Nat Prod 2020; 83:3706-3716. [PMID: 33296199 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jnatprod.0c00963] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Epilepsy is a chronic neurological disorder, characterized by recurrent, spontaneous, and transient seizures, and affects more than 70 million people worldwide. Although two dozen antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) are approved and available in the market, seizures remain poorly controlled in one-third of epileptic patients who are suffering from drug resistance or various adverse effects. Recently, the xanthone skeleton has been regarded as an attractive scaffold for the discovery and development of emerging anticonvulsants. We had isolated several dihydroxanthone derivatives previously, including oliganthin H, oliganthin I, and oliganthin N, whose structures were similar and delicately elucidated by spectrum analysis or X-ray crystallographic data, from extracts of leaves of Garcinia oligantha. These xanthone analogues were evaluated for anticonvulsant activity, and a novel xanthone, oliganthin H, has been identified as a sound and effective natural inhibitor of convulsions in zebrafish in vivo. A preliminary structure-activity relationship analysis on the relationship between structures of the xanthone analogues and their activities was also conducted. Oliganthin H significantly suppressed convulsant behavior and reduced to about 25% and 50% of PTZ-induced activity, in 12.5 and 25 μM treatment groups (P < 0.01 and 0.001), respectively. Meanwhile, it reduced seizure activity, velocity, seizure duration, and number of bursts in zebrafish larvae (P < 0.05). Pretreatment of oliganthin H significantly restored aberrant induction of gene expressions including npas4a, c-fos, pyya, and bdnf, as well as gabra1, gad1, glsa, and glula, upon PTZ treatment. In addition, in silico analysis revealed the stability of the oliganthin H-GABAA receptor complex and their detailed binding pattern. Therefore, direct interactions with the GABAA receptor and involvement of downstream GABA-glutamate pathways were possible mechanisms of the anticonvulsant action of oliganthin H. Our findings present the anticonvulsant activity of oliganthin H, provide a novel scaffold for further modifications, and highlight the xanthone skeleton as an attractive and reliable resource for the development of emerging AEDs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Guiyi Gong
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine and Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macau, China
- The Second Affiliated Hospital, Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech), Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Hanbin Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine and Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macau, China
| | - Hiotong Kam
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine and Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macau, China
| | - Ging Chan
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine and Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macau, China
| | - Yue-Xun Tang
- School of Pharmacy, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Man Wu
- School of Pharmacy, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Hongsheng Tan
- Clinical Research Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200240, China
| | - Yu-Chung Tse
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Cell Microenvironment and Disease Research, Department of Biology, Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech), Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Hong-Xi Xu
- Shuguang Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, China
- School of Pharmacy, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Simon Ming-Yuen Lee
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine and Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macau, China
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Gong G, Kam H, Tse Y, Lee SM. Cardiotoxicity of forchlorfenuron (CPPU) in zebrafish (Danio rerio) and H9c2 cardiomyocytes. Chemosphere 2019; 235:153-162. [PMID: 31255755 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2019.06.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2019] [Revised: 06/01/2019] [Accepted: 06/03/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Forchlorfenuron (CPPU), as a plant growth regulator or herbicide/pesticide, is widely used in agriculture worldwide. It is adopted by most farmers due to its high efficacy for boosting size and improving the quality of fruit. However, CPPU was implicated in, and gained notoriety due to an incident of exploding watermelon that occurred in 2011. Subsequently, the wider community became aware of the potential risks it posed to living organisms and the ecosystem. In this study, we evaluated the effects of CPPU on the survival, cardiac morphology and function, as well as hematopoietic system, of zebrafish (Danio rerio). Notably, CPPU (2.5-12.5 μg/ml) induced cardiac morphology deformation, cardiac contractile dysfunction and erythrocyte reduction in zebrafish. Consistently, the mRNA expression levels of several cardiac and hematopoietic gene markers (myl7, gata4, mef2c, amhc, vmhc and gata1) were altered by CPPU treatment. In addition, CPPU caused cytotoxicity, cytoskeleton destruction and reduced corresponding proteins (Myl7, Gata4 and Mef2c) expression in H9c2 cardiomyocytes in vitro. Taken together, this study has identified the cardiotoxicity of CPPU in different experimental models and enhanced our understanding on the mechanism underlying the toxicity of CPPU to living organisms.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Guiyi Gong
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine and Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macau, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Cell Microenvironment and Disease Research, Department of Biology, Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech), Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Hiotong Kam
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine and Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macau, China
| | - Yuchung Tse
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Cell Microenvironment and Disease Research, Department of Biology, Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech), Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Simon Mingyuen Lee
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine and Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macau, China.
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Kam H, Kang H, Kim S, Lee M. In vitro screening for the carcinogenicity of eight oriental herbal medicines. Toxicol Lett 2010. [DOI: 10.1016/j.toxlet.2010.03.617] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
|
12
|
Kam H, Kang H, Kim S, Lee M. In vitro screening for the carcinogenicity of nine oriental herbal medicines. Toxicol Lett 2010. [DOI: 10.1016/j.toxlet.2010.03.604] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
|