Gousia Chashoo

Dual Targeted Polymeric Nanoparticles Based on Tumor Endothelium and Tumor Cells for Enhanced Antitumor Drug Delivery

Some specific types of tumor cells and tumor endothelial cells represented CD13 proteins and act as receptors for Asn-Gly-Arg (NGR) motifs containing peptide. These CD13 receptors can be specifically recognized and bind through the specific sequence of cyclic NGR (cNGR) peptide and presented more affinity and specificity toward them. The cNGR peptide was conjugated to the poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) terminal end in the poly(lactic-co-glycolic) acid PLGA-PEG block copolymer. Then, the ligand conjugated nanoparticles (cNGR-DNB-NPs) encapsulating docetaxel (DTX) were synthesized from preformed block copolymer by the emulsion/solvent evaporation method and characterized for different parameters. The various studies such as in vitro cytotoxicity, cell apoptosis, and cell cycle analysis presented the enhanced therapeutic potential of cNGR-DNB-NPs. The higher cellular uptake was also found in cNGR peptide anchored NPs into HUVEC and HT-1080 cells. However, free cNGR could inhibit receptor mediated intracellular uptake of NPs into both types of cells at 37 and 4 °C temperatures, revealing the involvement of receptor-mediated endocytosis. The in vivo biodistribution and antitumor efficacy studies indicated that targeted NPs have a higher therapeutic efficacy through targeting the tumor-specific site. Therefore, the study exhibited that cNGR-functionalized PEG-PLGA-NPs could be a promising approach for therapeutic applications to efficient antitumor drug delivery.

4β-[(4-Alkyl)-1,2,3-triazol-1-yl] podophyllotoxins as anticancer compounds: design, synthesis and biological evaluation.

A series of 4β-[(4-alkyl)-1,2,3-triazol-1-yl] podophyllotoxin derivatives were designed in silico, synthesised by employing click chemistry approach, and evaluated for cytotoxicity against a panel of human cancer cell lines (SF-295, A-549, PC-3, Hep-2, HCT-15 and MCF-7). Majority of the compounds proved to be more potent than etoposide and select compounds exhibited significant anticancer activity with IC50 values in the range of 0.001-1 μM. DNA fragmentation and flow-cytometric results reveals that 4β-[(4-alkyl)-1,2,3-triazol-1-yl] podophyllotoxin derivatives induce dose dependent apoptosis. Docking experiments showed a good correlation between their calculated interaction energies with the topoisomerase-II and the observed IC50 values of all these compounds.

A propionyloxy derivative of 11-keto-β-boswellic acid induces apoptosis in HL-60 cells mediated through topoisomerase I & II inhibition

Boswellic acids have invariably been reported for their antiproliferative potential in various cell systems. In the present study the growth inhibitory effect of propionyloxy derivative of 11-keto-β-boswellic acid (PKBA; a semisynthetic analogue of 11-keto-β-boswellic acid) on HL-60 promyelocytic leukemia cells is being reported for the first time. In the preliminary studies, in vitro cytotoxicity of PKBA was investigated against eight human cancer cell lines viz., IMR-32, SF-295 (both neuroblastoma), PC-3 (prostate), Colo-205 (colon), MCF-7 (breast), OVCAR-5 (ovary), HL-60, Molt-4 (both leukemia) and their respective IC(50) values were found to be 5.95, 7.11, 15.2, 14.5, 15, 15.9, 8.7 & 9.5μg/ml, respectively. For determining the mechanism of cell death in HL-60 cells, PKBA was subjected to different mechanistic studies. DNA relaxation assay of PKBA revealed inhibition of both topoisomerases I & II. The fragmentation analysis of DNA revealed typical ladders indicating the cytotoxic effect to be mediated by induction of apoptosis. The morphologic studies of PKBA showed the presence of true apoptotic bodies. Apoptosis was confirmed further by flow-cytometric detection of sub-G(1) peaks and enhanced annexin-V-FITC binding of the cells. The activation of apoptotic cascade by PKBA in HL-60 cells was found to be associated with the loss of mitochondrial membrane potential, release of cytochrome c, activation of initiator and executioner caspases and cleavage of poly ADP ribose polymerase (PARP). In vivo studies of PKBA revealed anti-tumoral activity against both ascitic and solid murine tumor models. These studies thus demonstrate PKBA to induce apoptosis in HL-60 cells due to the inhibition of topoisomerases I and II.

Parthenium hysterophorus: A Probable Source of Anticancer, Antioxidant and Anti-HIV Agents

The present work reports the anticancer, antioxidant, lipo-protective, and anti-HIV activities of phytoconstituents present in P. hysterophorus leaf. Dried leaf samples were sequentially extracted with nonpolar and polar solvents. Ethanol fraction showed noticeable cytotoxic activity (81–85%) in SRB assay against MCF-7 and THP-1 cancer cell lines at 100 μg/ml concentration, while lower activity was observed with DU-145 cell line. The same extract exhibited 17–98% growth inhibition of HL-60 cancer cell lines in MTT assay, showing concentration dependent response. Ethanol extract caused 12% reduction in mitochondrial membrane potential and 10% increment in sub G1 population of HL-60 cell lines. Several leaf fractions, namely, ethyl acetate, ethanol, and aqueous fractions exhibited considerable reducing capability at higher concentrations. Most of the extracts demonstrated appreciable (>75%) metal ion chelating and hydroxyl radical scavenging activities at 200 µg/ml. All the extracts except aqueous fraction accounted for about 70–80% inhibition of lipid peroxidation in rat liver homogenate indicating protective response against membrane damage. About 40% inhibition of reverse transcriptase (RT) activity was observed in hexane fraction in anti-HIV assay at 6.0 µg/ml concentration. The study showed that phytochemicals present in P. hysterophorus leaf have considerable potential as cytotoxic and antioxidant agents with low to moderate anti-HIV activity.

Tailored polymer-lipid hybrid nanoparticles for the delivery of drug conjugate: dual strategy for brain targeting.

The object of the present study was to investigate the glioma targeting propensity of folic acid (F) decorated polymer-lipid hybrid nanoparticles (PLNs) encapsulating cyclo-[Arg-Gly-Asp-D-Phe-Lys] (cRGDfK) modified paclitaxel (PtxR-FPLNs). The prepared PLNs were supposed to bypass the blood-brain barrier (BBB) efficiently and subsequently target integrin rich glioma cells. The developed formulations were characterized for size, shape, drug entrapment efficiency, and in vitro release profile. PtxR-FPLNs demonstrated highest in vitro inhibitory effect, cell apoptosis and cell uptake. Pharmacokinetics and biodistribution studies showed efficacy of PtxR-FPLNs in vivo. In vivo anti-tumor studies clearly revealed that the median survival time for Balb/C mice treated with PtxR-FPLNs (42 days) was extended significantly as compared to PtxR-PLNs (35 days), free PtxR (18 days), Ptx-FPLNs (38 days), Ptx-PLNs (30 days), free Ptx (14 days) and control group (12 days). From the results it can be concluded that the developed dual targeted nanoformulation was able to efficiently cross the BBB and significantly deliver higher amounts of drug to brain tumor for better therapeutic outcome.

Bakuchiol derivatives as novel and potent cytotoxic agents: A report

A library of 28 compounds comprising of acyl, amino, halo, nitro, styryl and cyclized derivatives of bakuchiol have been evaluated against a panel of eight human cancer cell lines. Bioevaluation studies have resulted in the identification of potent cytotoxic molecules exhibiting concentration dependent growth inhibition against leukemia cancer cells with best results observed for compounds 17 and 22 exhibiting IC(50) 1.8 and 2.0 μM respectively. As evident from various biological end-points, inhibition of cell proliferation by inducing G2/M cell cycle arrest, mitochondrial membrane disruption followed by DNA fragmentation and apoptosis is demonstrated.

2-Anilinonicotinyl linked 2-aminobenzothiazoles and [1,2,4]triazolo[1,5-b] [1,2,4]benzothiadiazine conjugates as potential mitochondrial apoptotic inducers

A series of N-(2-anilino-pyridyl) linked 2-amino benzothiazoles (4a-n) and [1,2,4]triazolo [1,5-b]benzothiadiazine conjugates (5a-j) have been designed, synthesized and evaluated for their antiproliferative activity. Some of these compounds (4h-k, 4n, and 5e) have exhibited potent cytotoxicity specifically against human leukemia HL-60 cell lines with IC(50) values in the range of 0.08-0.70 μM. All these compounds were tested for their effects on the cell cycle perturbations and induction of apoptosis. Morphological evidences of apoptosis, including fragmentation of nuclei and inter nucleosomal DNA laddering formation were clearly observed after 24h exposure to compound 4i. Flow cytometry analysis revealed that compound 4i showed drastic cell cycle perturbations due to concentration dependant increase in the sub-G0 region which comprises of both the apoptotic and debris fraction, thus implying the extent of cell death. These compounds trigger the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway that results in the loss of mitochondrial membrane potential through activation of multiple caspases followed by activation of caspase-3, and finally cleavage of PARP. Further the mechanism of cell death was analysed by fluorescent microscopic analysis and also by scanning electron microscopy. The cytotoxicity of 4i correlated with induction of apoptosis, caspases activation and DNA damage and thus indicating the apoptotic pathway of anticancer effect of these compounds.

Synthesis of 4β-N-polyaromatic substituted podophyllotoxins: DNA topoisomerase inhibition, anticancer and apoptosis-inducing activities

A new class of 4β-N-polyaromatic substituted podophyllotoxin congeners have been synthesized and evaluated for their DNA topoisomerase-II (topo-II) inhibition as well as anticancer potential in some human cancer cell lines. The ease of synthesis and interesting biological activities make the present series of polyaromatic-podophyllotoxin congeners as a promising new structure for the development of new anticancer agents based on podophyllotoxin scaffold.

Potentiation of the antitumor effect of 11-keto-β-boswellic acid by its 3-α-hexanoyloxy derivative

We recently discovered that a propionyloxy derivative of 11-keto-β-boswellic acid (PKBA) showed better anticancer potential than other boswellic acids including AKBA, encompassing the importance of acyl group at the 3-α-hydroxy position of KBA. In continuation of our previous work, other higher derivatives (with increasing alkoxy chain length at 3-α-hydroxy position) including butyryloxy (BKBA) and hexanoyloxy (HKBA) derivatives of KBA were synthesized. The respective IC(50) values of BKBA and HKBA in HL-60 cells were found to be 7.7 and 4.5 μg/ml. IC(50) value of HKBA was comparatively lower than that of BKBA, and further lower than that of the previously reported derivative (PKBA, IC(50) 8.7 μg/ml). In order to compare the anticancer potential of HKBA with PKBA, detailed in vitro pro-apoptotic and in vivo anticancer studies were carried out. The induction of apoptosis by HKBA was measured using various parameters including fluorescence and scanning electron microscopy, DNA fragmentation and Annexin V-FITC binding. The extent of DNA damage was measured using neutral comet assay. HKBA was further evaluated for its effect on DNA cell cycle and mitochondria where it was found to arrest cells in G(2)/M phase and also induced loss of mitochondrial membrane potential. These events were associated with increased expression of cytosolic cytochrome c and cleavage of PARP. Target based studies showed that HKBA inhibited the enzymatic activity of topoisomerases I and II at low doses than that of PKBA. In vivo studies also revealed a low dose inhibitory effect of HKBA on ascitic and solid murine tumor models.

PLGA nanoparticles augmented the anticancer potential of pentacyclic triterpenediol in vivo in mice

A pentacyclic triterpenediol (TPD) from Boswellia serrata exhibited a good anticancer potential preclinically, however, it has low aqueous solubility and high lipophilicity, which therefore, necessitate suitable formulation development for in vivo application. In the present study TPD-loaded PLGA nanoparticles (TPD NPs) were prepared by an emulsion–diffusion–evaporation technique which exhibited an average particle size in the order of about 161 nm as confirmed by dynamic light scattering (DLS) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The thermal analysis confirms that the TPD was entrapped into the NPs in an amorphous form. In vitro cell culture experiments indicated higher cellular cytotoxicity of the TPD-loaded NPs over free TPD in MCF-7 and OVCAR-5 cells. The higher cytotoxicity of TPD NPs was attributed to enhanced cellular apoptosis, loss of membrane potential and generation of high reactive oxygen species (ROS). The TPD-loaded NPs demonstrated a significantly higher in vivo anticancer potential as compared to TPD solution in the Ehrlich ascites tumor (EAT) model following intraperitoneal administration. Furthermore, no hematological and biochemical toxicity in EAT bearing mice was observed after the treatment. The results showed that the developed PLGA-NPs could be a potential option for improved TPD delivery in cancer chemotherapy.