Philipp Saiko

Chemopreventive effects of resveratrol and resveratrol derivatives

Resveratrol is considered to have a number of beneficial effects. Recently, our group modified the molecule and synthesized a number of compounds with different biochemical effects. Polymethoxy and polyhydroxy derivatives of resveratrol were shown to inhibit tumor cell growth in various cell lines and inflammation pathways (cyclooxygenases activity), in part more effectively than resveratrol itself. One lead compound (hexahydroxystilbene, M8) turned out to be the most effective inhibitor of tumor cell growth and of cyclooxygenase 2 activity. M8 was then studied in two different human melanoma mouse models. This novel resveratrol analog was able to inhibit melanoma tumors in a primary tumor model alone and in combination with dacarbacine, an anticancer compound that is used for melanoma treatment. We also tested the development of lymph node metastasis in a second melanoma model and again M8 successfully inhibited the tumor as well as the size and weight of lymph node metastasis. Hydroxylated resveratrol analogs therefore represent a novel class of anticancer compounds and promising candidates for in vivo studies.

Resveratrol and resveratrol analogues--structure-activity relationship.

ABSTRACTResveratrol (3,4′,5-trihydroxy-trans-stilbene) is a compound found in wine and is held responsible for a number of beneficial effects of red wine. Besides the prevention of heart disease and significant anti-inflammatory effects, resveratrol might inhibit tumor cell growth and even play a role in the aging process. We here describe the structure-activity relationship of resveratrol and analogues of resveratrol regarding the free radical scavenging and antitumor effects of this exciting natural compound. In addition, we have synthesized a number of analogues of resveratrol with the aim to further improve the beneficial effects of resveratrol. Our studies were based on the analysis of structural properties, which were responsible for the most important effects of this compound. Striking in vivo effects can be observed with hexahydroxystilbene (M8), the most effective synthetic analogue of resveratrol. We could show that M8 inhibits tumor as well as metastasis growth of human melanoma in two different animal models, alone and in combination with dacarbacine.

Multifactorial anticancer effects of digalloyl-resveratrol encompass apoptosis, cell-cycle arrest, and inhibition of lymphendothelial gap formation in vitro

Background:Digalloyl-resveratrol (di-GA) is a synthetic compound aimed to combine the biological effects of the plant polyhydroxy phenols gallic acid and resveratrol, which are both radical scavengers and cyclooxygenase inhibitors exhibiting anticancer activity. Their broad spectrum of activities may probably be due to adjacent free hydroxyl groups.Methods:Protein activation and expression were analysed by western blotting, deoxyribonucleoside triphosphate levels by HPLC, ribonucleotide reductase activity by 14C-cytidine incorporation into nascent DNA and cell-cycle distribution by FACS. Apoptosis was measured by Hoechst 33258/propidium iodide double staining of nuclear chromatin and the formation of gaps into the lymphendothelial barrier in a three-dimensional co-culture model consisting of MCF-7 tumour cell spheroids and human lymphendothelial monolayers.Results:In HL-60 leukaemia cells, di-GA activated caspase 3 and dose-dependently induced apoptosis. It further inhibited cell-cycle progression in the G1 phase by four different mechanisms: rapid downregulation of cyclin D1, induction of Chk2 with simultaneous downregulation of Cdc25A, induction of the Cdk-inhibitor p21Cip/Waf and inhibition of ribonucleotide reductase activity resulting in reduced dCTP and dTTP levels. Furthermore, di-GA inhibited the generation of lymphendothelial gaps by cancer cell spheroid-secreted lipoxygenase metabolites. Lymphendothelial gaps, adjacent to tumour bulks, can be considered as gates facilitating metastatic spread.Conclusion:These data show that di-GA exhibits three distinct anticancer activities: induction of apoptosis, cell-cycle arrest and disruption of cancer cell-induced lymphendothelial disintegration.

Antiproliferative effects of some novel synthetic solanidine analogs on HL-60 human leukemia cells in vitro.

There is increasing evidence of the direct antiproliferative effects of various steroidal structures, including cardenolides, steroidal alkaloids and sexual hormones. The aim of the present study was to characterize the antiproliferative effects of three synthetic solanidine analogs (1-3) on HL-60 human leukemia cells. The three compounds exerted similar cytostatic effects (IC(50) values: 1.27-2.94 μM after a 72-h exposure) and the most effective (2) was selected for further investigations. Incubation with compound 2 resulted in a marked chromatin condensation followed by a gradual increase in cell membrane permeability detected by Hoechst dye 33258-propidium iodide double staining. A flow cytometric analysis revealed a marked decrease in the G1 phase and substantial increases in the S and G2/M phases after 24-h incubation, while after 48 h the proportion of cells in the subG1 phase was increased significantly with a concomitant decrease in cells in the G1 and G2/M phases. Compound 2 at 6.0 μM significantly decreased the activity of ribonucleotide reductase and proved to be a potent antioxidant in the lipid peroxidation and DPPH assays (IC(50) values: 2.0 and 13.1 μM, respectively). The antiproliferative effect of the test compound on the non-cancerous human lung fibroblast cell line (MRC-5) was significantly weaker than that on the leukemia cells. These results lead to the conclusion that compound 2 induces a marked disturbance in the cell cycle, which is, at least partially, a consequence of the inhibition of DNA synthesis.

Immunologic and Biochemical Effects of the Fermented Wheat Germ Extract Avemar

Avemar (MSC) is a nontoxic fermented wheat germ extract demonstrated to have antitumor effects. Avemar has the potential to significantly improve the survival rate in patients suffering from malignant colon tumors. We studied its effects in the HT-29 human colon carcinoma cell line. Avemar had an inhibiting effect on colonies of HT-29 cells with an IC50 value of 118 μg/ml (7 days of incubation); this value could be decreased to 100 and 75 μg/ml in the presence of vitamin C. In the cell line examined, Avemar induced both necrosis and apoptosis, as demonstrated by Hoechst/propldium iodide staining. The incubation of cells with 3200 μg/ml Avemar for 24 hrs caused necrosis in 28% and the induction of apoptosis in 22% of the cells. Avemar inhibited the cell-cycle progression of HT-29 cells in the G1 phase of the cell cycle. In addition, Avemar inhibited the activity of the key enzyme of de novo DNA synthesis, ribonucleotide reductase. In addition, we determined the effects of Avemar on the activity of cyclooxygenase-1 and -2. Both enzymes were significantly inhibited by Avemar with IC50 values of 100 and 300 μg/ml, respectively. We outline new explanations for its antitumor activity, which might serve as the basis for further studies using Avemar.

Design, synthesis and anticancer activity of piperazine hydroxamates and their histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitory activity.

Six compounds were synthesized with piperazine in linker region and hydroxamate as Zinc Binding Group (ZBG). They were screened against three cancer cell-lines (NCIH460; HCT116; U251). Compounds 5c and 5f with GI(50) value of 9.33+/-1.3 microM and 12.03+/-4 microM, respectively, were tested for their inhibitory potential on hHDAC8. Compound 5c had IC(50) of 33.67 microM. Compounds were also screened for their anticancer activity against HL60 human promyelocytic leukemia cell line due to the presence of pharmacophoric features of RR inhibitors in them. Compound 5c had IC(50) of 0.6 microM at 48h.

Digalloylresveratrol, a new phenolic acid derivative induces apoptosis and cell cycle arrest in human HT-29 colon cancer cells

Digalloylresveratrol (DIG) is a new synthetic ester of the naturally occurring polyhydroxyphenolic substances gallic acid and resveratrol which both exert anti-cancer activity in a number of tumor cell lines. The aim of the study was to identify the biochemical effects of DIG in HT-29 human colon cancer cells. DIG induced dose-dependently apoptosis after treatment for 72 h (40 microM DIG caused apoptosis in 45% of cells). DIG led to a substantial imbalance of deoxyribonucleoside triphosphates (dNTPs), the products of the enzyme ribonucleotide reductase (RR) and directly inhibited RR as it significantly reduced the incorporation of (14)C-labeled cytidine into the DNA of tumor cells. Furthermore, DIG affected the cell division and inhibited the transition from S to G2/M phase of the cell cycle. In contrast to resveratrol or gallic acid, DIG did not inhibit cyclooxygenases I and II. When HT-29 cells were simultaneously treated with DIG and 5-FU, the standard chemotherapeutic substance for colon cancer, additive growth inhibitory effects could be observed. With respect to the various biochemical and anti-proliferative effects of DIG in HT-29 cells, we regard DIG as a potential candidate for future treatment options of colon cancer and conclude that further preclinical and in vivo studies are warranted.

Xanthohumol attenuates tumour cell-mediated breaching of the lymphendothelial barrier and prevents intravasation and metastasis

Health beneficial effects of xanthohumol have been reported, and basic research provided evidence for anti-cancer effects. Furthermore, xanthohumol was shown to inhibit the migration of endothelial cells. Therefore, this study investigated the anti-metastatic potential of xanthohumol. MCF-7 breast cancer spheroids which are placed on lymphendothelial cells (LECs) induce “circular chemorepellent-induced defects” (CCIDs) in the LEC monolayer resembling gates for intravasating tumour bulks at an early step of lymph node colonisation. NF-κB reporter-, EROD-, SELE-, 12(S)-HETE- and adhesion assays were performed to investigate the anti-metastatic properties of xanthohumol. Western blot analyses were used to elucidate the mechanisms inhibiting CCID formation. Xanthohumol inhibited the activity of CYP, SELE and NF-kB and consequently, the formation of CCIDs at low micromolar concentrations. More specifically, xanthohumol affected ICAM-1 expression and adherence of MCF-7 cells to LECs, which is a prerequisite for CCID formation. Furthermore, markers of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and of cell mobility such as paxillin, MCL2 and S100A4 were suppressed by xanthohumol. Xanthohumol attenuated tumour cell-mediated defects at the lymphendothelial barrier and inhibited EMT-like effects thereby providing a mechanistic explanation for the anti-intravasative/anti-metastatic properties of xanthohumol.

In vitro anti-leukemic activity of the ethno-pharmacological plant Scutellaria orientalis ssp. carica endemic to western Turkey.

AIM OF THIS STUDY Within the genus Scutellaria various species are used in different folk medicines throughout Asia. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) uses S. baicalensis (Labiatae) to treat various inflammatory conditions. The root shows strong anticancer properties in vitro and was suggested for clinical trials against multiple myeloma. Further, S. barbata was successfully tested against metastatic breast cancer in a phase I/II trial. Therefore, we investigated the anti-cancer properties of S. orientalis L. ssp. carica Edmondson, an endemic subspecies from the traditional medicinal plant S. orientalis L. in Turkey, which is used to promote wound healing and to stop haemorrhage. MATERIALS AND METHODS Freeze-dried plant material was extracted with petroleum ether, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, and methanol and the bioactivity of these extracts was analysed by proliferation assay, cell death determination, and by investigating protein expression profiles specific for cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. RESULTS The strongest anti-leukemic activity was shown by the methanol extract, which contained apigenin, baicalein, chrysin, luteolin and wogonin, with an IpC50 of 43 microg/ml (corresponding to 1.3mg/ml of dried plant material) which correlated with cyclin D1- and Cdc25A suppression and p21 induction. At 132 microg/ml (=4 mg/ml of the drug) this extract caused genotoxic stress indicated by substantial phosphorylation of the core histone H2AX (gamma-H2AX) followed by activation of caspase 3 and signature-type cleavage of PARP resulting in a 55% apoptosis rate after 48 hours of treatment. CONCLUSIONS Here, we report for the first time that S. orientalis L. ssp. carica Edmondson exhibited potent anti-leukaemic properties likely through the anti-proliferative effect of baicalein and the genotoxic property of wogonin.

In vitro inhibition of breast cancer spheroid-induced lymphendothelial defects resembling intravasation into the lymphatic vasculature by acetohexamide, isoxsuprine, nifedipin and proadifen

Background:As metastasis is the prime cause of death from malignancies, there is vibrant interest to discover options for the management of the different mechanistic steps of tumour spreading. Some approved pharmaceuticals exhibit activities against diseases they have not been developed for. In order to discover such activities that might attenuate lymph node metastasis, we investigated 225 drugs, which are approved by the US Food and Drug Administration.Methods:A three-dimensional cell co-culture assay was utilised measuring tumour cell-induced disintegrations of the lymphendothelial wall through which tumour emboli can intravasate as a limiting step in lymph node metastasis of ductal breast cancer. The disintegrated areas in the lymphendothelial cell (LEC) monolayers were induced by 12(S)-HETE, which is secreted by MCF-7 tumour cell spheroids, and are called ‘circular chemorepellent induced defects’ (CCIDs). The putative mechanisms by which active drugs prevented the formation of entry gates were investigated by western blotting, NF-κB activity assay and by the determination of 12(S)-HETE synthesis.Results:Acetohexamide, nifedipin, isoxsuprine and proadifen dose dependently inhibited the formation of CCIDs in LEC monolayers and inhibited markers of epithelial-to-mesenchymal-transition and migration. The migration of LECs is a prerequisite of CCID formation, and these drugs either repressed paxillin levels or the activities of myosin light chain 2, or myosin-binding subunit of myosin phosphatase. Isoxsuprine inhibited all three migration markers, and isoxsuprine and acetohexamide suppressed the synthesis of 12(S)-HETE, whereas proadifen and nifedipin inhibited NF-κB activation. Both the signalling pathways independently cause CCID formation.Conclusion:The targeting of different mechanisms was most likely the reason for synergistic effects of different drug combinations on the inhibition of CCID formation. Furthermore, the treatment with drug combinations allowed also a several-fold reduction in drug concentrations. These results encourage further screening of approved drugs and their in vivo testing.