RESUMEN

Sesquiterpene lactone (SL) subtypes including hirsutinolide and cadinanolide have a controversial genesis. Metabolites of these classes are either described as natural products or as artifacts produced via the influence of solvents, chromatographic mobile phases, and adsorbents used in phytochemical studies. Based on this divergence, and to better understand the sensibility of these metabolites, different pH conditions were used to prepare semisynthetic SLs and evaluate the anti-inflammatory and antiproliferative activities. Therefore, glaucolide B (1) was treated with various Brønsted-Lowry and Lewis acids and bases-the same approach was applied to some of its derivatives-allowing us to obtain 14 semisynthetic SL derivatives, 10 of which are hereby reported for the first time. Hirsutinolide derivatives 7a (CC50 = 5.0 µM; SI = 2.5) and 7b (CC50 = 11.2 µM; SI = 2.5) and the germacranolide derivative 8a (CC50 = 3.1 µM; SI = 3.0) revealed significant cytotoxic activity and selectivity against human melanoma SK-MEL-28 cells when compared with that against non-tumoral HUVEC cells. Additionally, compounds 7a and 7c.1 showed strongly reduced interleukin-6 (IL-6) and nitrite (NOx) release in pre-treated M1 macrophages J774A.1 when stimulated with lipopolysaccharide. Despite the fact that hirsutinolide and cadinanolide SLs may be produced via plant metabolism, this study shows that acidic and alkaline extraction and solid-phase purification processes can promote their formation.

Asunto(s)

Antineoplásicos , Sesquiterpenos , Humanos , Sesquiterpenos/farmacología , Sesquiterpenos/química , Antiinflamatorios/farmacología , Lactonas/farmacología , Lactonas/química

RESUMEN

INTRODUCTION: The resin of Cola nitida is used in western Cameroon as incense for spiritual protection and during ritual ceremonies. This plant secretion has never been investigated although previous chemical and biological studies on other resins have drawn many attentions. OBJECTIVE: The resin fractions which revealed inhibitory effect on nitric oxide (NO) and tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) released by lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated J774 macrophage as well as on intracellular forms of Leishmania amazonensis and Trypanosoma cruzi amastigote were chemically characterised. Moreover, their antiparasitic activities were compared to those of semi-synthetic triterpenes. METHODOLOGY: The anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated by measuring the nitrite production and the TNF-α concentration in the supernatants of LPS-activated macrophages by antigen capture enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Moreover, the antiparasitic assay was performed by infecting the host cells (THP-1) in a ratio parasite/cell 10:1 (L. amazonensis) and 2:1 (T. cruzi) and then exposed to the samples. The resin was separated in vacuo by liquid chromatography because of its sticky behaviour and the chemical profiles of the obtained fractions (F1-F4) were established by dereplication based on UPLC-ESI-MS2 data while semi-synthetic triterpenes were prepared from α-amyrin by oxidation reactions. RESULTS: Fractions F1-F4 inhibited NO and TNF-α almost similarly. However, only F1, F3 and F4 showed promising antiparasitic activities while F2 was moderately active against both parasites. Hence, F1-F4 were exclusively composed of pentacyclic triterpenes bearing oleanane and ursane skeletons. Semi-synthetic compounds revealed no to moderate antiparasitic activity compared to the fractions. CONCLUSION: Although it will be difficult to prove the interaction resin-spirit, interesting bioactivities were found in the resin fractions.

Asunto(s)

Cromatografía Liquida/métodos , Cola/química , Leishmania/efectos de los fármacos , Macrófagos/efectos de los fármacos , Espectrometría de Masas/métodos , Trypanosoma cruzi/efectos de los fármacos , Animales , Línea Celular , Regulación de la Expresión Génica/efectos de los fármacos , Interleucina-1beta/genética , Interleucina-1beta/metabolismo , Interleucina-6/genética , Interleucina-6/metabolismo , Lipopolisacáridos/farmacología , Ratones , Óxido Nítrico/metabolismo , Extractos Vegetales/química , Extractos Vegetales/farmacología , Resinas de Plantas/química , Factor de Necrosis Tumoral alfa/metabolismo

RESUMEN

Although inflammation is a biological phenomenon that exists to protect the host against infections and/or related problems, its unceasing activation results in the aggravation of several medical conditions. Imidazoles, whether natural or synthetic, are molecules related to a broad spectrum of biological effects, including anti-inflammatory properties. In this study, we screened eight novel small molecules of the imidazole class synthesized by our research group for their in vitro anti-inflammatory activity. The effect of the selected molecules was confirmed in an in vivo inflammatory model. We also analyzed whether the effects were caused by inhibition of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) transcription factor transmigration. Of the eight imidazoles tested, methyl 1-allyl-2-(4-fluorophenyl)-5-phenyl-1H-imidazole-4-acetate (8) inhibited nitric oxide metabolites and pro-inflammatory cytokine (TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1ß) secretion in J774 macrophages stimulated with LPS. It also attenuated leukocyte migration and exudate formation in the pleural cavity of mice challenged with carrageenan. Furthermore, imidazole 8 reverted the oxidative stress pattern triggered by carrageenan in the pleural cavity by diminishing myeloperoxidase, superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione S-transferase activities and reducing the production of nitric oxide metabolites and thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances. Finally, these effects can be attributed, at least in part, to the ability of this compound to prevent NF-κB transmigration. In this context, our results demonstrate that imidazole 8 has promising potential as a prototype for the development of a new anti-inflammatory drug to treat inflammatory conditions in which NF-κB and oxidative stress play a prominent role. Graphical Abstract ᅟ.

Asunto(s)

Antiinflamatorios/síntesis química , Diseño de Fármacos , Imidazoles/farmacología , Animales , Línea Celular , Imidazoles/síntesis química , Imidazoles/química , Ratones , FN-kappa B/antagonistas & inhibidores , Óxido Nítrico/metabolismo , Estrés Oxidativo/efectos de los fármacos , Relación Estructura-Actividad

RESUMEN

In this work in vivo experiments were conducted in order to characterize the biocompatibility of polyurethane nanoparticles (PU-NPs) after intraperitoneal (i.p.) and oral administration. Additionally, ex vivo assays were performed to assess human blood compatibility as well as in vitro assays to assess protein binding. Our results indicated that administration of three different concentrations of PU-NPs induced a significant increase in visceral fat accumulation after oral dosing. In addition, fat tissue of mice intraperitoneally treated with the highest concentration of nanoparticles showed diffuse mononuclear inflammatory infiltrate in the fat tissue. Histopathological assessment showed inflammatory infiltrate and hepatocyte vacuolization in the liver, inflammatory infiltration and vascular congestion in the lung and glomerular necrosis in the kidney. Hepatic enzymes related with liver function were significantly increased in both groups of mice treated with PU-NPs. The PU-NPs did not affect the human blood cells number as well as coagulation time but showed a susceptibility to bind in proteins commonly found in the blood stream. In addition, increased amounts of pro inflammatory cytokines in vivo, as well as ex vivo in human cells were observed. Further studies to establish the consequences of long-term exposure to PU-NPs are warranted.

Asunto(s)

Inflamación/inducido químicamente , Nanopartículas/toxicidad , Poliuretanos/toxicidad , Administración Oral , Animales , Humanos , Inyecciones Intraperitoneales , Interleucina-6/sangre , Masculino , Ratones , Poliuretanos/administración & dosificación , Factor de Necrosis Tumoral alfa/sangre

RESUMEN

OBJECTIVES: To test the toxicity and antitumoral activity of the compound N-oleyl-daunorubicin (oDNR) with a cholesterol-rich nanoemulsion (LDE) formulation. METHODS: LDE-oDNR was prepared by high-pressure homogenisation of lipid mixtures. B16F10 melanoma cells and NIH/3T3 fibroblasts were used for cytotoxicity tests. The maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of both commercial and LDE-oDNR was determined in mice, and melanoma-bearing mice were used for the antitumoral activity tests. KEY FINDINGS: CC50 for LDE-oDNR and DNR in melanoma cells were 200 µm and 15 µm, respectively, but LDE-oDNR was less toxic against fibroblasts than DNR. MTD for LDE-oDNR was 65-fold higher than commercial DNR. In tumour-bearing mice, LDE-oDNR (7.5 µmol/kg) reduced tumour growth by 59 ± 2%, whereas the reduction by DNR was only 23 ± 2%. LDE-oDNR increased survival rates (P < 0.05), which was not achieved by DNR treatment. The number of mice with metastasis was only 30% in LDE-oDNR-treated mice, compared with 82% under DNR treatment. By flow cytometry, there were 9% viable cells in tumours of animals treated with LDE-oDNR compared with 27% in DNR-treated animals. Less haematological toxicity was observed in LDE-oDNR-treated mice. CONCLUSIONS: Compared with DNR, LDE-oDNR improved tumour growth inhibition and survival rates with pronouncedly less toxicity, and thus may become a new tool for cancer treatment.

Asunto(s)

Antibióticos Antineoplásicos/uso terapéutico , Colesterol/química , Daunorrubicina/análogos & derivados , Daunorrubicina/uso terapéutico , Portadores de Fármacos/química , Melanoma Experimental/tratamiento farmacológico , Nanoestructuras/química , Ácidos Oléicos/uso terapéutico , Receptores de LDL/metabolismo , Animales , Antibióticos Antineoplásicos/administración & dosificación , Antibióticos Antineoplásicos/toxicidad , Línea Celular Tumoral , Supervivencia Celular/efectos de los fármacos , Daunorrubicina/administración & dosificación , Daunorrubicina/toxicidad , Estabilidad de Medicamentos , Emulsiones , Masculino , Melanoma Experimental/metabolismo , Melanoma Experimental/patología , Ratones Endogámicos C57BL , Estructura Molecular , Trasplante de Neoplasias , Ácidos Oléicos/administración & dosificación , Ácidos Oléicos/toxicidad , Tamaño de la Partícula , Unión Proteica , Pruebas de Toxicidad Aguda

RESUMEN

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is a malignant disorder caused by the proliferation of lymphoid progenitor cells and is the most common cancer in children. Cytotoxic nucleoside analogues are important chemotherapeutic agents, which are used in many cancers, including leukemias. In this study, we investigated the effects of the synthetic nucleoside analogue 1-(5,5,5-trichloro-2-methoxy-4-oxopenten-2-yl)-4-trichloromethyl-pyrimidin-2(1H)-one, named compound 3 or C3, on leukemia cell lines. The compound stimulated cell death by apoptosis, evidenced by DNA fragmentation, phosphatidylserine externalization, and caspase-3 activation. Compound 3 seemed to trigger several cell death pathways. The mitochondrial pathway was evidenced through a disturbance of mitochondrial membrane potential, strong cytochrome c liberation, decrease of antiapoptotic Bcl-2 protein expression, and caspase-9 activation. The C3 also induced caspase-8 and -12 activation, an increase in the intracellular calcium level, and an overproduction of reactive oxygen species. Increased caspase 8 activity suggests that the extrinsic pathway was activated and that the ROS production and enzyme activity alteration (glutathione S-transferase, glutathione peroxidase, catalase, and glutathione reductase) might be related to oxidative stress. Finally, the increase in calcium release, CHOP expression, and caspase-12 activity might characterize endoplasmic reticulum stress. Compound 3 was likewise cytotoxic to leukemic and melanoma human cell lines. Taken together, the results contribute to further understanding the new pyrimidine analogue as a potential chemotherapeutic drug or lead molecule.

Asunto(s)

Antineoplásicos/farmacología , Apoptosis/efectos de los fármacos , Pirimidinonas/farmacología , Animales , Antineoplásicos/síntesis química , Antineoplásicos/química , Proliferación Celular/efectos de los fármacos , Células Cultivadas , Relación Dosis-Respuesta a Droga , Ensayos de Selección de Medicamentos Antitumorales , Humanos , Células Jurkat , Ratones , Estructura Molecular , Estrés Oxidativo/efectos de los fármacos , Pirimidinonas/síntesis química , Pirimidinonas/química , Relación Estructura-Actividad

RESUMEN

A hybrid material with excellent mechanical and biological properties is produced by electrospinning a co-solution of PET and collagen. The fibers are mapped using SEM, confocal Raman microscopy and collagenase digestion assays. Fibers of different compositions and morphologies are intermingled within the same membrane, resulting in a heterogeneous scaffold. The collagen distribution and exposure are found to depend on the PET/collagen ratio. The materials are chemically and mechanically characterized and biologically tested with fibroblasts (3T3-L1) and a HUVEC culture in vitro. All of the hybrid scaffolds show better cell attachment and proliferation than PET. These materials are potential candidates to be used as vascular grafts.

Asunto(s)

Prótesis Vascular , Colágeno/química , Polietilenglicoles/química , Andamios del Tejido/química , Células 3T3 , Animales , Adhesión Celular/fisiología , Proliferación Celular , Supervivencia Celular/fisiología , Colagenasas/metabolismo , Electroforesis en Gel de Poliacrilamida , Células Endoteliales de la Vena Umbilical Humana , Humanos , Indoles , Ratones , Microscopía Confocal , Microscopía Electrónica de Rastreo , Tereftalatos Polietilenos , Resistencia a la Tracción