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INTRODUCTION: Recently, we have reported the antitumor properties of a new family of synthetic merosesquiterpenes, among which meroxest is highlighted, since it has high activity and specificity for ER+ breast cancer cells. In this paper, we characterize allografts of ER+ E0771 mouse breast tumor cells in immunocompetent C57BL/6 mice, and also analyze the effect of meroxest on the prognosis of the disease. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Twenty female C57BL/6 mice were injected with 106 E0771 cells. Once the tumors reached the appropriate size, the mice were divided into two groups, one control and another treated orally with 15 mg/kg of meroxest. After 20 days, tumor samples were taken for histopathological study and for determination of the expression of the prognostic markers Ki67 and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) by immunofluorescence. RESULTS: In sections stained with hematoxylin-eosin, we observed that tumors have a well-defined capsule enclosing E0771 tumor cells. The central area of tumors contains necrotic regions with leukocyte infiltration. Meroxest treatment significantly reduces tumor size (68%, p < 0.05), induces changes in its structure, decreases the degree of leukocyte infiltration, and significantly reduces the expression of Ki67 (33%, p < 0.05) and VEGF (82%, p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Meroxest improves the prognosis of mice since it reduces leukocyte infiltration, and decreases the expression of Ki67 and VEGF markers. Consequently, the merosesquiterpene could become a useful antiangiogenic drug in the treatment of breast cancer. These results encourage us to deepen the study of meroxest, in order to find more evidence that supports the convenience of its evaluation in a clinical study or trial.

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This article describes the antitumor properties of a new family of merosesquiterpenes, which were synthesized by Diels-Alder cycloaddition of the labdane diene trans-communic acid, highly abundant in Cupressus sempervirens, or its methyl ester, with the appropriate dienophile. These compounds demonstrated potent cytotoxic activity in vitro against human breast, colon, and lung tumor cells. We highlight the elevated activity (IC50: 0.35 ± 0.10 µM) and specificity (TI: 9) of compound 13 against the MCF-7 line, which corresponds to the most prevalent breast cancer cell subtype, luminal A. It was found that compound 13 exerts its anti-tumor action by inducing oxidative stress, arresting the cell cycle in stages G0-G1, and activating apoptosis, which are all associated with low cyclin D1 regulation, pRb hypophosphorylation, increased expression of p27 and p53, and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) fractioning. Epithelial-mesenchymal transition, a phenomenon associated with metastasis promotion and a worsened prognosis also appeared to be inhibited by compound 13. In addition, it markedly reduced tumor development in immunocompetent C57BL/6 mice with allografts of E0771 mouse breast tumor cells (luminal A subtype). According to these findings, this new family of compounds, especially compound 13, may be highly useful in the treatment of human breast cancer.

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Four terpenoid derivatives were examined for their activity against Trypanosoma cruzi. Our results show that two compounds were very active in vitro against both extra- and intracellular forms. These compounds, non-toxic for the host cells, are more effective than the reference drug benznidazole. The capacity to infect cells was negatively affected and the number of amastigotes and trypomastigotes was reduced. A wide range of ultrastructural alterations was found in the epimastigote forms treated with these compounds. Some metabolic changes occurred presumably at the level of succinate and acetate production, perhaps caused by the disturbance of the enzymes involved in sugar metabolism inside the mitochondria. In vivo results were consistent with those observed in vitro. The parasitic load was significantly lower than in the control assay with benznidazole. The effects of these products showed the reduction of the anti-T. cruzi antibodies level during the chronic stage.

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A new isoquinoline-N-oxide alkaloid was extracted from the alkaloid fraction of a methanol extract of the seeds of Calycotome villosa subsp. intermedia. Its structure was established as 1-hydroxymethyl-6,7-dimethoxyisoquinoline-N-oxide (1) by spectroscopic techniques and X-ray diffraction analysis.

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The known flavonoid chrysin-7-O-(beta-D-glycopyranoside) (chrysin glucoside,1) as a major fraction and a new glycoside flavone, chrysin-7-O-beta-D-[(6"-acetyl)glycopyranoside] (2) were isolated from the flowers and leaves of Calycotome Villosa Subsp. Intermedia, They were identified by UV-Vis, 1R, (1)H-, (13)C-NMR and ESI-MS.

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Two tetrahydroisoquinoline alkaloids were extracted from the alkaloid fraction of a methanol extract of the seeds of Calycotome Villosa Subsp. intermedia. Their structures were established as (R)-1-hydroxymethyl-7-8-dimethoxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro- isoquinoline (1) and (S)-7-hydroxymethyl-2-3-dimethoxy-7,8,9,10-tetrahydroisoquinoline chloride (2) by spectroscopic techniques and X-ray diffraction analysis.

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