Synthesis, Anticancer Evaluation, and Molecular Docking of Hexahydroquinoline Derivatives as Mcl-1 Inhibitors and Apoptosis Inducers

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nishith Teraiya ◽  
Subhas S Karki ◽  
Ashlesha Chauhan
Keyword(s):  
Cell Cycle ◽  
Anticancer Agents ◽  
Caspase 3 ◽  
Cell Cycle Analysis ◽  
Caspase 9 ◽  
Spectral Techniques ◽  
Apoptotic Protein ◽  
Potent Inhibition ◽  
Activation Assay ◽  
New Compounds

Background: Hexahydroquinoline as a small molecule was reported for good cytotoxicity and affinity towards Mcl-1. Hence, new compounds were explored as Mcl-1 inhibitors to be potent anticancer agents. Objective: Compounds were synthesized and screened for cytotoxicity. The active compound was evaluated for cell cycle analysis, Mcl-1 inhibition, caspase-3, and caspase-9 activation. Further compounds were docked with Mcl-1 to confirm the mechanism of cytotoxicity. Methods: Compounds were confirmed by spectral techniques and screened for cytotoxicity at National Cancer Institute (USA). The active derivatives were screened by SRB and MTT. In addition, the potent compound was studied for apoptosis and cell cycle analysis by PI staining, Mcl-1 inhibition by TR-FRET assay, and activation assay of caspase-3 and caspase-9 with the Elisa technique. Results: Compounds 6a and 6b exhibited the highest growth inhibition of 86.28% and 93.20% against SR and HOP-62, respectively. Compound 6a showed higher cytotoxicity (IC50 = 0.4 µM) against THP-1 and HL-60. It showed 15-fold higher apoptosis compared to control by arresting cells at the Sub-G1 in the cell cycle. It also showed a potent inhibition with IC50 of 1.5 µM against the anti-apoptotic protein Mcl-1, which may induce apoptosis. Furthermore, apoptosis was evidenced by an increase in cleaved caspase-3 and caspase-9 to 4.20 and 3 folds, respectively higher than control. The docking score of compound 6a was in good agreement with the Mcl-1 inhibition assay. Conclusion: Compound 6a inhibited anti-apoptotic protein Mcl-1 and induced activation of pro-apoptotic proteins caspase-3 and caspase-9. These dual results suggested the mechanism of apoptosis and cytotoxicity.

Hybridized Quinoline Derivatives as Anticancer Agents: Design, Synthesis, Biological Evaluation and Molecular Docking

2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (4) ◽  
pp. 439-452 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohamed R. Selim ◽  
Medhat A. Zahran ◽  
Amany Belal ◽  
Moustafa S. Abusaif ◽  
Said A. Shedid ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Cycle ◽  
Anticancer Agents ◽  
Caspase 3 ◽  
Biological Evaluation ◽  
Tubulin Polymerization ◽  
Design Synthesis ◽  
Chemical Structures ◽  
M Phase ◽  
Induced Apoptosis ◽  
Derivatives Of

Objective: Conjugating quinolones with different bioactive pharmacophores to obtain potent anticancer active agents. Methods: Fused pyrazolopyrimidoquinolines 3a-d, Schiff bases 5, 6a-e, two hybridized systems: pyrazolochromenquinoline 7 and pyrazolothiazolidinquinoline 8, different substituted thiazoloquinolines 13-15 and thiazolo[3,2-a]pyridine derivatives 16a-c were synthesized. Their chemical structures were characterized through spectral and elemental analysis, cytotoxic activity on five cancer cell lines, caspase-3 activation, tubulin polymerization inhibition and cell cycle analysis were evaluated. Results: Four compounds 3b, 3d, 8 and 13 showed potent activity than doxorubicin on HCT116 and three compounds 3b, 3d and 8 on HEPG2. These promising derivatives showed increase in the level of caspase-3. The trifloromethylphenyl derivatives of pyrazolopyrimidoquinolines 3b and 3d showed considerable tubulin polymerization inhibitory activity. Both compounds arrested cell cycle at G2/M phase and induced apoptosis. Conclusion: Compounds 3b and 3d can be considered as promising anticancer active agents with 70% of colchicine activity on tubulin polymerization inhibition and represent hopeful leads that deserve further investigation and optimization.

The Anti-Proliferative Activity of Anisosciadone: A New Guaiane Sesquiterpene from Anisosciadium lanatum

2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (9) ◽  
pp. 1114-1119 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ahmed A. Mahmoud ◽  
Wael M. El-Sayed
Keyword(s):  
Anticancer Agents ◽  
Antiproliferative Activity ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Caspase 3 ◽  
Chemical Constituents ◽  
Spectroscopic Techniques ◽  
Significant Activity ◽  
Caspase 9 ◽  
P53 Expression ◽  
Expression And Activity

Background: The increase in cancer rate and the development of resistant tumors require a continuous search for new anticancer agents. Aims: This study aimed to analyze and identify the chemical constituents of Anisosciadium lanatum, and to investigate the antiproliferative activity of the identified constituents against various human cell lines (HepG2, MCF7, HT29, A549, and PC3) along with the possible molecular mechanisms involved. Methods: The structure of the isolated compounds was determined by spectroscopic techniques including HRFABMS, GC-MS, IR, and 400 MHz 1D and 2D NMR analyses (1H, 13C NMR, DEPT, 1H-1H COSY, HMQC, HMBC and NOESY). The antiproliferative activity and IC50 value of the isolated compounds were measured and compared to doxorubicin. Results: A new guaiane sesquiterpene containing a rare epoxide structural element, 10β,11β−epoxy−1α,4β,5β,7αΗ- guaiane-9-one, anisosciadone (1), and stigmasterol (2) have been isolated from the plant. Anisosciadone (1) showed a significant antiproliferative activity against liver, colon, and lung cells only, while stigmasterol (2) had a significant activity against liver, colon, and breast cells. Both 1 and 2 caused no cytotoxicity to normal fibroblasts. Anisosciadone elevated the expression and activity of Caspase 3 as well as p53 expression without affecting Caspase 9 in HepG2 cells. It also caused ~ 50% downregulation in cdk1 expression. Conclusion: Taken together, anisosciadone was specific in action against cancer cells and induced apoptosis in liver cells. It also has a unique feature by elevating the expression and activity of Caspase 3 without affecting the initiator Caspase 9. Therefore, anisosciadone deserves more investigation as a targeted therapy for cancer.

Pyrrolizines as Potential Anticancer Agents: Design, Synthesis, Caspase-3 activation and Micronucleus (MN) Induction

2019 ◽  
Vol 18 (15) ◽  
pp. 2124-2130
Author(s):  
Amany Belal
Keyword(s):  
Cancer Cells ◽  
Cell Lines ◽  
Anticancer Agents ◽  
Caspase 3 ◽  
Assay Method ◽  
Breast Adenocarcinoma ◽  
Compound I ◽  
Design Synthesis ◽  
Ic50 Values ◽  
New Compounds

Background: For further exploration of the promising pyrrolizine scaffold and in continuation of our previous work, that proved the potential anticancer activity of the hit compound I, a new series of pyrrolizines 2-5 and 7-9 were designed and synthesized. Methods: Structures of the new compounds were confirmed by IR, 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR and elemental analysis. Antitumor activity for the prepared compounds against human breast adenocarcinoma (MCF-7), liver (HEPG2) and colon (HCT116) cancer cell lines was evaluated using SRB assay method. Result: Compounds 2, 3 and 5 were the most potent on colon cancer cells, their IC50 values were less than 5 µM. Compounds 2, 3 and 8 were the most potent on liver cancer cells, their IC50 values were less than 10 µM. As for MCF7, compounds 2, 7, 8 and 9 were the most active with IC50 values less than 10 µM. We can conclude that combining pyrrolizine scaffold with urea gave abroad spectrum anticancer agent 2 against the three tested cell lines. Micronucleus assays showed that compounds 2, 3, 8 are mutagenic and can induce apoptosis. In addition, caspase-3 activation was evaluated and compound 2 showed increase in the level of caspase-3 (9 folds) followed by 3 (8.28 folds) then 8 (7.89 folds). Conclusion: The obtained results encourage considering these three compounds as novel anticancer prototypes.

JNK/c-Jun Is Required for HMC-1 Cell Proliferation.

Blood ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 108 (11) ◽  
pp. 4439-4439
Author(s):  
Bin Wang ◽  
Junichi Tsukada ◽  
Takehiro Higashi ◽  
Takamitsu Mizobe ◽  
Ai Matsuura ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Cycle ◽  
Cell Proliferation ◽  
Mast Cells ◽  
Cell Cycle Arrest ◽  
Caspase 3 ◽  
Cyclin D3 ◽  
G1 Phase ◽  
Caspase 9 ◽  
Cycle Arrest ◽  
Induced Apoptosis

Abstract Activation of c-jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) through c-kit-mediated phosphatidylinositol 3 (PI3) and Src kinase pathways plays an important role in cell proliferation and survival in mast cells. Gain-of-function mutations in c-kit are found in several human neoplasms. Constitutive activation of c-kit has been observed in human mastocytosis, acute myeloid leukemia, lymphoma, germ tumor and gastrointestinal stromal tumor. In the present study, we demonstrate that an anthrapyrazole SP600125, a reversible ATP-competitive inhibitor of JNK inhibits proliferation of human HMC-1 mast cells expressing constitutively activated c-kit mutant. We found that JNK/c-Jun was constitutively activated in HMC-1 cells without stimulation. When spontaneous activation of JNK/c-Jun was inhibited by treatment with SP600125, cell proliferation was suppressed. The concentration which effectively inhibited JNK/c-Jun activity in our experiment had no effect on SCF-induced phosphorylation of Akt or Erk, suggesting that SP600125 specifically inhibited JNK/c-Jun activity in HMC-1 cells. Moreover, we demonstrated that SP600125 induced HMC-1 cell apoptosis in dose- and time-dependent manner. Caspase-3 and PARP were cleaved as early as 12 h after treatment with SP600125, but caspase-9 was not. Also, cell cycle arrest in G1 phase was observed in SP600125 treated cells. Thus, the inhibitory effect of SP600125 on cell proliferation was associated with cell cycle arrest at the G1 phase and apoptosis accompanied by cleavage of caspase-3 and PARP. Caspase-3 inhibitor Z-DEVD-FMK almost completely inhibited SP600125-induced apoptosis of HMC-1 cells. In contrast, caspase-9 inhibitor Z-LEHD-FMK failed to block SP600125-induced apoptosis, suggesting that apoptosis induced by SP600125 was caspase-3 dependent. Following SP600125 treatment, down-regulation of cyclin D3 protein expression, but not p53 was also observed. Take together, JNK/c-Jun is essential for proliferation and survival of HMC-1 cells. The results obtained from the present study suggest the possibility that JNK/c-Jun may be a therapeutic target in diseases associated with c-kit mutant.

scholarly journals Identification and Validation of Novel Microtubule Suppressors with an Imidazopyridine Scaffold through Structure Based Virtual Screening and Docking.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Samia A Elseginy ◽  
A Sofia F Oliveira ◽  
Deborah K Shoemark ◽  
Richard B Sessions
Keyword(s):  
Cell Cycle ◽  
Cell Cycle Arrest ◽  
Anticancer Agents ◽  
3D Structure ◽  
Cancer Cell Proliferation ◽  
Cycle Arrest ◽  
Colchicine Binding Site ◽  
Apoptotic Protein ◽  
M Phase ◽  
Low Toxicity

Targeting the colchicine binding site of alpha/beta tubulin microtubules can lead to suppression of microtubule dynamics, cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. Therefore, development of microtubule (MT) inhibitors is considered a promising route to anticancer agents. Our approach to identify novel scaffolds as MT inhibitors depends on a 3D-structure based pharmacophore approach and docking using three programmes MOE, Autodock and BUDE (Bristol University Docking Engine) to screen a library of virtual compounds. From this work we identified the compound 7-(3-Hydroxy-4-methoxy-phenyl)-3-(3-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-6,7-dihydro-3H-imidazo[4,5-b] pyridin-5-ol (6) as a novel inhibitor scaffold. This compound inhibited several types of cancer cell proliferation at low micromolar concentrations with low toxicity. Compound 6 caused cell cycle arrest in the G2/M phase and blocked tubulin polymerization at low micromolar concentration (IC50 = 6 micromolar, inducing apoptosis via activation of caspase 9, increasing the level of the pro-apoptotic protein Bax and decreasing the level of the anti-apoptotic protein Bcl2. In summary, our approach identified a lead compound with potential antimitotic and antiproliferative activity.

scholarly journals NeosedumosideIII induced Apoptosis of Human Hepatocellular Carcinoma HepG2 cells and SMMC-7721 Cells and Related Mechanism

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xin-Yu Li ◽  
Xin Zhou ◽  
Yu- Liu ◽  
Feng Qiu ◽  
Qing-Qing Zhao
Keyword(s):  
Hepatocellular Carcinoma ◽  
Cell Cycle ◽  
Hepg2 Cells ◽  
Caspase 3 ◽  
Human Hepatocellular Carcinoma ◽  
Caspase 8 ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Caspase 9 ◽  
Induced Apoptosis

Abstract Purpose: NeosedumosideIII (Neo) is a megastigmanes and belongs to monocyclic sesquiterpenoids compound with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and other pharmacological activities. In order to explore the anti-cancer effect and possible mechanism of Neo, the study examined the anti-proliferation and apoptosis effect of Neo against human hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2 cells and SMMC-772 cells and related mechanism in vitro. Methods ：The anti-proliferation effect of Neo was detected on HepG2 cells and SMMC-772 cells by MTT assay and IC50 with increasing dose and time. Cell cycle and apoptosis were detected by flow cytometer. The changes of Bcl-2, Bax, Caspase-3, Caspase-8 and Caspase-9 proteins were detected by western blotting.Results ：The results indicated that Neo could inhibited proliferation of HepG2 cells and SMMC-772 cells in vitro and promoted apoptosis, it significantly induced apoptosis of HepG2 cells and SMMC-772 cells arrested cell cycle at G0/G1 phase in a dose-dependent manner, reduce the expression of Bcl-2 protein, and increase the expression of Bax and Caspase-3, Caspase-8 and Caspase-9 proteins. Conclusion：Neo could inhibit proliferation and induce apoptosis of HepG2 cells and SMMC-7721 cells in vivo which suggested that it might be served as a promising candidate for the treatment of liver cancer.

Induction of Apoptosis and Autophagy by Ternary Copper Complex Towards Breast Cancer Cells

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zheng Yang Lee ◽  
Chee Hong Leong ◽  
Krystal U Ling Lim ◽  
Christopher Chun Sing Wong ◽  
Pornwasu Pongtheerawan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Cell Cycle ◽  
Growth Inhibition ◽  
Cancer Cells ◽  
Copper Complex ◽  
Breast Cancer Cells ◽  
Caspase 3 ◽  
Caspase 9 ◽  
Mcf 7

Background: Copper complex has been gaining much attention in anticancer research as targeted agent since cancer cells uptake more copper than non-cancerous cells. Our group has synthesised a ternary copper complex which is composed of 1,10-phenanthroline and tyrosine [Cu(phen)(L-tyr)Cl].3H20. These two payloads are designed to cleave DNA and inhibit protein degradation system (proteasome) concurrently in cancer cells, making this copper complex a dual-target compound. Objective: Current study was carried out to investigate the mode of cell death and role of autophagy induced by [Cu(phen)(L-tyr)Cl].3H20 in MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells. Methods: Growth inhibition of [Cu(phen)(L-tyr)Cl].3H20 towards MDA-MB-231 and human non-cancerous MCF10A breast cells was determined by MTT assay. Annexin-V-FITC/PI and cell cycle analysis were evaluated by flow cytometry. The expression of p53, Bax, caspase-9, caspase-7, caspase-3 and LC3 were determined using western blot analysis. The cells were then co-treated with hydroxychloroquine to ascertain the role of autophagy induced by [Cu(phen)(L-tyr)Cl].3H20. Results: [Cu(phen)(L-tyr)Cl].3H20 inhibited the growth of cancer cells dose-dependently with less toxicity towards MCF10A cells. Additionally, [Cu(phen)(L-tyr)Cl].3H20 induced apoptosis and cell cycle arrest towards MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells possibly via regulation of p53, Bax, caspase-9, caspase-3 and capase-7. The expression of LC3II was upregulated in both cancer cell lines upon treatment with [Cu(phen)(L-tyr) Cl].3H20, indicating the induction of autophagy. Co-treatment with autophagy inhibitor hydroxychloroquine significantly enhanced growth inhibition of both cell lines, suggesting that the autophagy induced by [Cu(phen)(L-tyr) Cl].3H20 in both breast cancer cells was promoting cell survival. Conclusion: [Cu(phen)(L-tyr)Cl].3H20 holds great potential to be developed for breast cancer treatment.

Formononetin protects against concanavalin-A-induced autoimmune hepatitis in mice through its anti-apoptotic and anti-inflammatory properties

2021 ◽  
Vol 99 (2) ◽  
pp. 231-240
Author(s):  
Guangwei Liu ◽  
Wenxia Zhao ◽  
Jiameng Bai ◽  
Jianjiao Cui ◽  
Haowei Liang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Autoimmune Hepatitis ◽  
Concanavalin A ◽  
Nuclear Factor Kappa B ◽  
Caspase 3 ◽  
Receptor Protein ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Caspase 9 ◽  
Apoptotic Protein ◽  
Natural Herb ◽  
Dose Dependent

Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is a chronic inflammatory liver disease that seriously threatens the health of humans globally. Formononetin (FMN) is a natural herb extract with multiple biological functions. In this study, an experimental model of AIH was established in mice through the use of concanavalin A (ConA). To investigate the effects of FMN on ConA-induced hepatitis, the mice were pretreated with 50 or 100 mg/kg body mass of FMN. The results show that FMN alleviated ConA-induced liver injury of mice in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, pretreatment with FMN inhibited the apoptosis of hepatocytes in the ConA-treated mice through downregulating the expression of pro-apoptotic proteins (Bax, cleaved caspase 9, and cleaved caspase 3) and upregulating the expression of anti-apoptotic protein (Bcl-2). It was also found that the levels of proinflammatory cytokines were greatly reduced in the serum and liver tissues of mice pretreated with FMN. Further studies showed that FMN reduced the level of phosphorylated nuclear factor kappa B (p-NF-κB) p65 and enhanced the level of IκBα (inhibitor of NF-κB), suggesting that FMN inhibits the activation of the NF-κB signaling pathway. In addition, FMN inhibited activation of the NOD-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome. Therefore, FMN could be a promising agent for the treatment of AIH.

Induction of Apoptosis and Anti-Tumor Effects of a Novel Pan Inhibitor of Bcl-2 and Mcl-1 Apogossypolone (ApoG2) in Multiple Myeloma Cells.

Blood ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 108 (11) ◽  
pp. 2601-2601
Author(s):  
Jie Lin ◽  
Yongji Wu ◽  
Shujie Wang ◽  
Dajun Yang ◽  
Yongqiang Zhao
Keyword(s):  
Cell Cycle ◽  
Multiple Myeloma ◽  
Growth Inhibition ◽  
Caspase 3 ◽  
Xenograft Model ◽  
Caspase 9 ◽  
Dna Ladder ◽  
Myeloma Cells ◽  
Induction Of Apoptosis

Abstract Multiple myeloma remains an incurable malignancy and overall survival has not been improved despite responses to conventional and high-dose chemotherapy. Over-expression of both Bcl-2 and Mcl-1 is frequent in multiple myeloma which renders myeloma cells resistant to apoptosis by chemotherapy, and overexpression is associated with relapse and poorer survival. Inhibition of the anti-apoptotic function of Bcl-2 family member proteins such as Bcl-2 and Mcl-1 represents an attractive new strategy for developing anticancer drugs. Apogossypolone (ApoG2) is a novel derivative of the naturally occurring polyphenolic compound gossypol which has aldehyde moieties removed and further modification to make it pharmaceutically more stable. More particularly, ApoG2 is a potent inhibitor of Mcl-1 and Bcl-2, with Ki value of 25 nM for Mcl-1, 35 nM for Bcl-2, respectively. In this study, trypan blue dye exclusion, Hoechst 33258 staining, DNA ladder formation and annexin-V-PI flow cytometric analysis were used to determine the cellular activities of ApoG2 on cell growth inhibition, cell viability, cell cycle and apoptosis. Cleavage of caspase-3 and caspase-9 was analyzed by colorimetirc assay. Xenograft model of Wus1 cells (from Peking Union Medical College Hospital) in nude mice were used to determine the antitumor activity of compounds. We found that ApoG2 resulted in a dose and time-dependent inhibition of multiple myeloma cell proliferation, with IC50 value to both U266 and Wus1 cells at 0.1 to 0.2 uM at 48 hours after treatment. ApoG2 effectively induced apoptosis of multiple myeloma cells as evidenced by typical morphological changes, transmission electron microscopy, DNA ladder formation and increase in the percentage of cells in subdiploid peak. Colorimetric assays further showed activation of both caspase-3 and caspase-9. In a parallel direct comparison study, ApoG2 was more potent than the parental compound gossypol in both growth inhibition and induction of apoptosis. Of interest, cell cycle analysis of both U266 and Wus1 cells treated with ApoG2 produced a slightly G2 arrest, increasing from 9.7% to 19.6% in U266 cells, and from 9.8% to 31.7% in Wus1 cells, respectively. This was different from gossypol which induced mainly G1 arrest. Preliminary in vivo antitumor activity of ApoG2 was examined in xenograft model of Wus1 cells in nude mice, and growth inhibition (T/C) of 32.7% and 33.4% was obtained at 60 mg/kg, and 40 mg/kg, respectively. In addition, there was no body weight loss for both treated groups in comparison with the vehicle treated mice. Our results demonstrated that a potent pan inhibitor of Bcl-2 and Mcl-1 ApoG2 had significant effect of antiproliferation and induction of apoptosis on multiple myeloma cells in vitro and in vivo. ApoG2 may represent a promising new anticancer agent with a novel molecular mechanism and warrant further investigation as a single agent or in combination for human multiple myeloma with Bcl-2/Mcl-1 overexpression.

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