Potchanapond Graidist

Cyclohexene, diketopiperazine, lactone and phenol derivatives from the sea fan-derived fungi Nigrospora sp. PSU-F11 and PSU-F12

Nigrosporanenes A (1) and B (2), two new cylohexene derivatives, and tyrosol (3) were isolated from the sea fan-derived fungus Nigrospora sp. PSU-F11, whereas five known compounds: 4-hydroxybenzoic acid (4), aplysiopsene D (5), 3-isochromanone (6), (−)-drimenin (7) and diketopiperazine derivative (8), were obtained from the fungus Nigrospora sp. PSU-F12. Their structures were established by spectroscopic evidence. We also tested their cytotoxic (on African green monkey kidney fibroblast and breast cancer cells), antioxidant (in the DPPH assay), and antibacterial (against the standard Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923 and methicillinresistant S. aureus) activities.

Expression and applications of recombinant crustacean hyperglycemic hormone from eyestalks of white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) against bacterial infection

Crustacean hyperglycemic hormone (CHH) has many functions to regulate carbohydrate metabolism, ecdysis and reproduction including ion transport in crustaceans. The cDNA encoding CHH peptides containing 369 bp open reading frame encoding 122 amino acids was cloned from eyestalk of white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) and was produced by a bacterial expression system. The biological activity of recombinant L. vannamei crustacean hyperglycemic hormone (rLV-CHH) was tested. The hemolymph glucose level of shrimp increased two-fold at 1h after the rLV-CHH injection and then returned to normal after 3h. In addition to the effect of rLV-CHH administration (25 μg/shrimp) on immunological responses of white shrimp against pathogenic bacteria, Vibrio harveyi was studied. Results showed that the blood parameters of shrimp injected with rLV-CHH; the THC, PO activity, serum protein level and clearance ability to V. harveyi, were also higher than those of Neg-protein and PBS-injected shrimp. The survival of shrimp injected with rLV-CHH was significantly higher (66.0%) than shrimp that injected with Neg-protein (33.3%) and PBS (28.9%) after 14 days. It is possible that the administration of rLV-CHH in L. vannamei exhibited a higher immune response related to resistance against V. harveyi infection.

Dioscorealide B suppresses LPS‐induced nitric oxide production and inflammatory cytokine expression in RAW 264.7 macrophages: The inhibition of NF‐κB and ERK1/2 activation

Dioscorealide B (DB), a naphthofuranoxepin has been purified from an ethanolic extract of the rhizome of Dioscorea membranacea Pierre ex Prain & Burkill which has been used to treat inflammation and cancer in Thai Traditional Medicine. Previously, DB has been reported to have anti‐inflammatory activities through reducing nitric oxide (NO) and tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) production in lipopolysaccharides (LPS)‐induced RAW 264.7 macrophage cells. In this study, the mechanisms of DB on LPS‐induced NO production and cytokine expression through the activation of nuclear factor‐κB (NF‐κB) and ERK1/2 are demonstrated in RAW 264.7 cells. Through measurement with Griesss reagent, DB reduced NO level with an IC50 value of 2.85 ± 0.62 µM that was due to the significant suppression of LPS‐induced iNOS mRNA expression as well as IL‐1β, IL‐6, and IL‐10 mRNA at a concentration of 6 µM. At the signal transduction level, DB significantly inhibited NF‐κB binding activity, as determined using pNFκB‐Luciferase reporter system, which action resulted from the prevention of IκBα degradation. In addition, DB in the range of 1.5–6 µM significantly suppressed the activation of the ERK1/2 protein. In conclusion, the molecular mechanisms of DB on the inhibition of NO production and mRNA expression of iNOS, IL‐1β, IL‐6, and IL‐10 were due to the inhibition of the upstream kinases activation, which further alleviated the NF‐κB and MAPK/ERK signaling pathway in LPS‐induced RAW264.7 macrophage cells. J. Cell. Biochem. 109: 1057–1063, 2010.

Cytotoxic Activity of Piper cubeba Extract in Breast Cancer Cell Lines

This study aimed to evaluate the cytotoxicity of a crude extract of Piper cubeba against normal and breast cancer cell lines. To prepare the extract, P. cubeba seeds were ground, soaked in methanol and dichloromethane and isolated by column chromatography. Fractions were tested for cytotoxicity effects on normal fibroblast (L929), normal breast (MCF-12A) and breast cancer cell lines (MCF-7, MDA-MB-468 and MDA-MB-231). The most effective fraction was selected for DNA fragmentation assay to detect apoptotic activity. The results showed that the methanolic crude extract had a higher cytotoxic activity against MDA-MB-468 and MCF-7 than a dichloromethane crude extract. Then, the methanolic crude extract was separated into six fractions, designated A to F. Fraction C was highly active against breast cancer cell lines with an IC50 value less than 4 μg/mL. Therefore, Fraction C was further separated into seven fractions, CA to CG. The 1H-NMR profile showed that Fraction CE was long chain hydrocarbons. Moreover, Fraction CE demonstrated the highest activity against MCF-7 cells with an IC50 value of 2.69 ± 0.09 μg/mL and lower cytotoxicity against normal fibroblast L929 cells with an IC50 value of 4.17 ± 0.77 μg/mL. Finally, DNA fragmentation with a ladder pattern characteristic of apoptosis was observed in MCF-7, MDA-MB-468, MDA-MB-231 and L929 cells, but not in MCF-12A cells.

A cyclohexenone derivative from Diaporthaceous fungus PSU-H2

One new cyclohexenone derivative (1) was isolated from Diaporthaceous fungus PSU-H2 together with six known compounds, dothiorelone A (2), dothiorelone C (3), 2,3-dihydromycoepoxydiene (4), (+)-mycoepoxydiene (5), deacetylmycoepoxydiene (6) and tyrosol (7). The structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods. Their cytotoxic activity against human breast cancer cell line, MCF-7, was evaluated.

Anti-cancer effects of Piper nigrum via inducing multiple molecular signaling in vivo and in vitro

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Piper nigrum is widely used as a folk medicine including usage for pain relief, fevers, as well as an anti-cancer agent. However the crude extract of piperine free P. nigrum (PFPE), which inhibits breast cancer, and its mechanisms are still being kept secret. This research aims to elucidate the anti-cancer effects of PFPE and its mechanisms. MATERIALS AND METHODS Anti-cancer effects of PFPE were investigated in N-nitroso-N-methylurea (NMU)-induced mammary tumorigenesis rats and breast cancer cell lines MCF-7 and ZR-75-1. Furthermore, the cancer prevention effects of PFPE were investigated in rats. Western blotting was employed to study protein levels induced by PFPE. RESULTS PFPE was found to up-regulate p53, and down-regulate estrogen receptor (ER), E-cadherin (E-cad), matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9), matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP-2), c-Myc, and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels in breast cancer rats. Moreover, PFPE decreased protein levels of E-cad, c-Myc, and VEGF in MCF-7 cells. These results suggest that PFPE can enhance breast cancer cell response to phytochemicals, then induce cell cycle arrest, and inhibit cancer cell proliferation resulting in tumor size decrease in the PFPE treated group. It further suggests that PFPE may suppress tumor cell invasion, migration, and angiogenesis. In addition, PFPE possessed cancer prevention effects through generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) to higher cancer cell cellular stress. CONCLUSIONS PFPE may possess anti-cancer and cancer prevention effects; hence, it deserves further investigation as a novel candidate for breast cancer treatment.

Influence of surfactants in self-microemulsifying formulations on enhancing oral bioavailability of oxyresveratrol: Studies in Caco-2 cells and in vivo

Self-microemulsifying drug delivery systems (SMEDDS) containing two types (Tween80 and Labrasol) and two levels (low; 5% and high; 15%) of co-surfactants were formulated to evaluate the impact of surfactant phase on physical properties and oral absorption of oxyresveratrol (OXY). All formulations showed a very rapid release in the simulated gastric fluid (SGF) pH 1.2. After dilution with different media, the microemulsion droplet sizes of the Tween80-based (∼26 to 36 nm) were smaller than that of the Labrasol-based systems (∼34 to 45 nm). Both systems with high levels of surfactant increased the Caco-2 cells permeability of OXY compared to those with low levels of surfactant (1.4-1.7 folds) and the unformulated OXY (1.9-2.0 folds). It was of interest, that there was a reduction (4.4-5.3 folds) in the efflux transport of OXY from both systems compared to the unformulated OXY. The results were in good agreement with the in vivo absorption studies of such OXY-formulations in rats. Significantly greater values of Cmax and AUC(0-10h) (p<0.05) were obtained from the high levels of Tween80-based (F(r,0-10h) 786.32%) compared to those from the Labrasol-based system (F(r,0-10h) 218.32%). These finding indicate the importance of formulation variables such as type and quantity of surfactant in the SMEDDS to enhance oral drug bioavailability.

Anticancer and Cancer Prevention Effects of Piperine-Free Piper nigrum Extract on N-nitrosomethylurea-Induced Mammary Tumorigenesis in Rats

Piper nigrum (P. nigrum) is commonly used in traditional medicine. This current study aimed to investigate the anticancer and cancer preventive activity of a piperine-free P. nigrum extract (PFPE) against breast cancer cells and N-nitrosomethylurea (NMU)–induced mammary tumorigenesis in rats. The cytotoxic effects and the mechanism of action were investigated in breast cancer cells using the MTT assay and Western blot analysis, respectively. An acute toxicity study was conducted according to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development guideline. Female Sprague-Dawley rats with NMU-induced mammary tumors were used in preventive and anticancer studies. The results showed that PFPE inhibited the growth of luminal-like breast cancer cells more so than the basal-like ones by induction of apoptosis. In addition, PFPE exhibited greater selectivity against breast cancer cells than colorectal cancer, lung cancer, and neuroblastoma cells. In an acute toxicity study, a single oral administration of PFPE at a dose of 5,000 mg/kg body weight resulted in no mortality and morbidity during a 14-day observation period. For the cancer preventive study, the incidence of tumor-bearing rats was 10% to 20% in rats treated with PFPE. For the anticancer activity study, the growth rate of tumors in the presence of PFPE-treated groups was much slower when compared with the control and vehicle groups. The extract itself caused no changes to the biochemical and hematologic parameters when compared with the control and vehicle groups. In conclusion, PFPE had a low toxicity and a potent antitumor effect on mammary tumorigenesis in rats. Cancer Prev Res; 9(1); 74–82. ©2015 AACR.

The dose dependent in vitro responses of MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cell lines to extracts of Vatica diospyroides symington type SS fruit include effects on mode of cell death

Background: Vatica diospyroides type LS is a known source of valuable compounds for cancer treatment, however, in contrast little is known about therapeutic efficacy of type SS. Objective: This study focused on in vitro cytotoxicity of these fruit extracts, and the cell death mode they induce in breast cancer cells. Materials and Methods: Acetone extracts of fruit were tested for cytotoxicity against MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cell lines. The apoptosis and necrosis of these cells were quantified by fluorescence activated cell sorter (FACS) and western blot analyses. Results: After 72 h of treatment, the 50% growth inhibition concentrations (IC50) levels were 16.21 ± 0.13 µg/mL against MCF-7 and 30.0 ± 4.30 µg/mL against MDA-MB-231, indicating high and moderate cytotoxicity, respectively. From the FACS results, we estimate that the cotyledon extract at half IC50 produced 11.7% dead MCF-7 cells via apoptosis, whereas another concentrations both apoptosis and necrosis modes co-existed in a dose-dependent manner. In MDA-MB-231 cell line, only the apoptosis was induced by the pericarp extract in a dose-dependent manner. With the extracts at half IC50 concentration, in both cells, the expression of p21 decreased while that of Bax increased within 12–48 h of dosing, confirming apoptosis induced by time-dependent responses. Apoptosis dependent on p53 was found in MCF-7, whereas the mutant p53 of MDA-MB-231 cells was expressed. Conclusion: The results indicate that fruit extracts of V. diospyroides have cytotoxic effects against MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells via apoptosis pathway in a dose-dependent manner. This suggests that the extracts could provide active ingredients for the development, targeting breast cancer therapy.

(−)-Kusunokinin and piperloguminine from Piper nigrum: An alternative option to treat breast cancer

Several studies have reported that active compounds isolated from Piper nigrum possess anticancer properties. However, there are no data on anticancer activity of (-)-kusunokinin and piperlonguminine. The purposes of this study were to isolate active compounds from P. nigrum and identify the molecular mechanisms underlying growth and apoptosis pathway in breast cancer cells. Two bioactive compounds, (-)-kusunokinin and piperlonguminine, were isolated from P. nigrum. Cytotoxicity and the molecular mechanism were measured by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay, flow cytometry and Western blot analysis. We found that the active compounds, which effect cancer cell lines were (-)-kusunokinin and piperlonguminine. These compounds have potent cytotoxic effects on breast cancer cells (MCF-7 and MDA-MB-468) and colorectal cells (SW-620). (-)-Kusunokinin demonstrated a cytotoxic effect on MCF-7 and MDA-MB-468 with IC50 values of 1.18 and 1.62μg/mL, respectively. Piperlonguminine had a cytotoxic effect on MCF-7 and MDA-MB-468 with IC50 values of 1.63 and 2.19μg/mL, respectively. Both compounds demonstrated lower cytotoxicity against normal breast cell lines with IC50 values higher than 11μg/mL. Cell cycle and apoptotic analysis using flow cytometry, showed that the (-)-kusunokinin and piperlonguminine induced cell undergoing apoptosis and drove cells towards the G2/M phase. Moreover, both compounds decreased topoisomerase II and bcl-2. The increasing of p53 levels further increased p21, bax, cytochrome c, caspase-8, -7 and -3 activities, except caspase-9. These results suggest that the (-)-kusunokinin and piperlonguminine have been shown to have potent anticancer activities through extrinsic pathway and G2/M phase arrest.