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Paeoniflorin induces apoptosis of lymphocytes through a redox-linked mechanism.

Paeoniflorin (PF), isolated from paeony root, has been used as a herbal medicine for more than 1,200 years in China, Korea, and Japan for its anti-allergic, anti-inflammatory, and immunoregulatory effects. In this study, we found that PF induces apoptosis in both murine T-lineage cells and human T-cell leukemia Jurkat cells. This apoptosis was mediated through the reduction of mitochondrial membrane potential, activation of caspase, and fragmentation of DNA. Interestingly, PF induced generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and a reducing agent, dithiothreitol (DTT), and a ROS scavenger, N-acetyl cysteine (NAC), successfully attenuated the PF-induced apoptosis. Additionally, PF induced the phosphorylation of three mitogen-activated protein (MAP) family kinases, extracellular signal-regulated kinase, c-Jun amino-terminal kinase (JNK), and p38 MAP kinase. Curcumin, an anti-oxidant and JNK inhibitor, inhibited PF-induced apoptosis, suggesting the possible involvement of curcumin-sensitive JNK or other redox-sensitive elements in PF-induced apoptosis. These results partially explain the action mechanism of PF-containing paeony root as a herbal medicine.

Acetylcysteine↗

Studies on spice principles as antioxidants in the inhibition of lipid peroxidation of rat liver microsomes.

Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) are vulnerable to peroxidative attack. Protecting PUFA from peroxidation is essential to utilize their beneficial effects in health and in preventing disease. The antioxidants vitamin E, t-butylhydroxy toluene (BHT) and t-butylhydroxy anisole (BHA) inhibited ascorbate/Fe(2+)-induced lipid peroxidation in rat liver microsomes. In addition, a number of spice principles, for example, curcumin (5-50 microM) from turmeric, eugenol (25-150 microM) from cloves and capsaicin (25-150 microM) from red chillies inhibited lipid peroxidation in a dose-dependent manner. Zingerone from ginger inhibited lipid peroxidation at high concentrations (greater than 150 microM) whereas linalool (coriander), piperine (black pepper) and cuminaldehyde (cumin) had only marginal inhibitory effects even at high concentrations (600 microM). The inhibition of lipid peroxidation by curcumin and eugenol was reversed by adding high concentrations of Fe2+.

Animals↗

Effect of turmeric on xenobiotic metabolising enzymes.

Diet contains several substances capable of inhibiting chemical carcinogenesis. It is known that such inhibitors may either act directly by scavenging the reactive substances or indirectly by promoting mechanisms which enhance detoxification. Turmeric which contains curcumin both in vitro and in vivo is an active antimutagen. Studies were therefore conducted to evaluate the effects of turmeric on xenobiotic metabolising enzymes in hepatic tissue of rats fed turmeric ranging from 0.5-10% in the diet. Enzymes such as aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase, UDP glucuronyl transferase and glutathione-S-transferase were assayed after four weeks of turmeric fed diets. No significant differences were seen in the activating enzyme AHH. However, UDPGT was significantly elevated in rats fed 10% turmeric while GSHT registered a significant increase in 5 and 10% turmeric fed diet as compared to controls and 0.5-1.0% turmeric fed animals. The results suggest that turmeric may increase detoxification systems in addition to its anti-oxidant properties. Curcumin perhaps is the active principle in turmeric. Turmeric used widely as a spice would probably mitigate the effects of several dietary carcinogens.

Animals↗

Amyloglucosidase-catalyzed synthesis of eugenyl and curcuminyl glycosides.

Glycosylation of the phenolic hydroxyl group of the phenyl propanoid systems, eugenol 1 and curcumin 2, using an amyloglucosidase from Rhizopus and a beta-glucosidase from sweet almonds together with carbohydrates (D-glucose 3, D-mannose 4, maltose 5, sucrose 6 and D-mannitol 7) in di-isopropyl ether produced glycosides at 7-52% yields in 72 h. Spectral studies indicated that the reaction occurred between the phenolic OH groups and C-1 and/or 6-O-groups of the carbohydrates with curcumin exhibiting bis glycosylation.

Carbohydrates↗

Potential anticancer activity of turmeric (Curcuma longa).

Anticancer activity of the rhizomes of turmeric was evaluated in vitro using tissue culture methods and in vivo in mice using Dalton's lymphoma cells grown as ascites form. Turmeric extract inhibited the cell growth in Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) cells at a concentration of 0.4 mg/ml and was cytotoxic to lymphocytes and Dalton's lymphoma cells at the same concentration. Cytotoxic effect was found within 30 min at room temperature (30 degrees C). The active constituent was found to be 'curcumin' which showed cytotoxicity to lymphocytes and Dalton's lymphoma cells at a concentration of 4 micrograms/ml. Initial experiments indicated that turmeric extract and curcumin reduced the development of animal tumours.

Animals↗

Inhibition of lung metastasis in mice induced by B16F10 melanoma cells by polyphenolic compounds.

Several polyphenolic compounds were tested for the inhibition of lung metastasis induced by B16F10 melanoma cells in mice. Oral administration of polyphenols such as curcumin and catechin at concentrations of 200 nmol/kg body weight were found to inhibit the lung metastasis maximally as seen by the reduction in the number of lung tumor nodules (80%). Other polyphenols which inhibited the lung tumor nodule formation were rutin (71.2%), epicatechin (61%), naringin (27.2%) and naringenin (26.1%). The polyphenols which did not inhibit lung tumor nodule formation were quercetin, morin and ellagic acid. Consequent to the inhibition of the lung tumor nodules, the life span of animals treated with polyphenols was also found to be increased. Curcumin (143.85%), catechin (80.81%) and rutin (63.59%) had maximal increase in life span. The results indicate a possible use of these compounds in arresting the metastatic growth of tumor cells.

Animals↗

DNA damage by smoke: protection by turmeric and other inhibitors of ROS.

Twigs-dry leaves smoke condensate (TDS), as a source of clastogenic ROS and carcinogenic PAH, was investigated for its in vitro DNA-damaging effect in calf thymus DNA and human peripheral lymphocytes. An aqueous turmeric component--Aq.T--with an established antioxidant activity, was tested as a DNA protectant. TDS induced 13-fold damage to calf thymus DNA as judged by the emergence of a DNA damage specific, fluorescent product (em: 405 nm). Aq.T at 800 ng/microL extended 69% protection to calf thymus DNA and was comparable to the other protectants such as curcumin, BHA, vitamin E, SOD, and CAT. In human peripheral lymphocytes, TDS induced extensive DNA damage in comparison with the tumor promoter TPA, as judged by FADU. Aq.T at 300 ng/microL extended 90% protection to human lymphocyte DNA against TDS-induced damage, and was more effective than the other protectants--DABCO, D-mannitol, sodium benzoate, vitamin E (ROS quenchers), SOD, CAT (antioxidant enzymes), tannic acid, flufenamic acid, BHA, BHT, n-PG, curcumin and quercetin (antioxidants). Aq.T offered 65% protection to human lymphocyte DNA against TPA-induced damage and was comparable to SOD. The above results indicate that TDS induces substantial DNA damage in calf thymus DNA and human lymphocytes and Aq.T is an efficient protectant.

Animals↗

Antioxidants regulate normal human keratinocyte differentiation.

Cancer begins with a normal cell that, due to persistent environmental insult, is transformed, via a series of progressively more insidious steps, into a cancer cell. A major goal of chemopreventive therapy is to alter the normal cell response to the environmental agent with the goal of inhibiting disease progression. (-)-Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) is an important bioactive green tea antioxidant that possesses remarkable cancer chemopreventive properties. We have recently explored the hypothesis that EGCG prevents cancer by promoting keratinocyte differentiation. Based on our findings, we argue that EGCG acts to enhance the differentiation of normal keratinocytes. This is a potentially important finding, as it represents a novel mechanism of disease inhibition by EGCG--cancer preventive "differentiation therapy". However, not all antioxidant chemopreventive agents work by this mechanism. Curcumin, for example, inhibits the differentiation-promoting activity of EGCG. This report discusses the mechanism of EGCG and curcumin action in regulating expression of involucrin, a marker of keratinocyte differentiation.

Anticarcinogenic Agents↗

Telomerase targeted anticancer bioactive prodrug by antisense-based approach.

A deoxy 11-mer oligonucleotide 5'-GTTAGGGTTAG-3', complementary to a repeat sequence of human telomerase RNA template has been linked through phosphate and a C-2 linker to a bioactive tetraglycine conjugate of curcumin, a well-known antitumor herbal spice component of turmeric. This molecule has been transfected into KB and HeLa cell lines and found to affect cell growth in the former. This DNA-curcumin-tetraglycine acts as a prodrug being targeted by antisense mechanism to telomerase.

Antineoplastic Agents↗

Modulation of pregnane X receptor- and electrophile responsive element-mediated gene expression by dietary polyphenolic compounds.

Based on animal models, dietary polyphenols are predicted to be promising chemopreventive agents in humans. Allspice, clove, and thyme extracts as well as defined dietary polyphenolic compounds were, therefore, tested for their ability to activate mechanisms related to phase 1 enzymes, i.e., the PXR-regulated CYP3A4 promoter, and phase 2 enzymes, i.e. the EpRE-regulated promoters of gastrointestinal glutathione peroxidase (GI-GPx) and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), examples of Nrf2-regulated genes. From the compounds tested, clove and thyme extracts as well as curcumin and resveratrol activated the PXR. PXR activation correlated with the activation of the CYP3A4 promoter in the case of thyme extract, curcumin, and resveratrol, but not in the case of clove extract. Allspice extract, EGCG, and quercetin did not activate PXR but enhanced CYP3A4 promoter activity. Thyme extract and quercetin activated the EpRE of HO-1. Both significantly activated the GI-GPx promoter, effects that depended on a functional EpRE. Resveratrol did not activate the isolated EpRE but enhanced the GI-GPx promoter activity, whereas clove extract even inhibited it. It is concluded that individual polyphenols as well as polyphenol-rich plant extracts may affect phase 1 and 2 enzyme expression by distinct mechanisms that must be elucidated, before potential health effects can reliably be predicted.

Catechin↗

Application of capillary zone electrophoresis in the separation and determination of the curcuminoids in urine.

The major components of the plant curcuma longa are the curcuminoids that include curcumin, demethoxycurcumin and bisdemethoxycurcumin. It has been reported the curcuminoids have some important activities. A new CZE method with diode array detection has been developed for the separation and determination of the curcumin, demethoxycurcumin and bisdemethoxycurcumin. Three curcuminoids could be readily separated within 7 min with a 15 mM sodium tetraborate buffer containing 10% methanol (v/v) at pH 10.8, 25 kV and 30 degrees C. The method has been validated and shows good performance with respect to selectivity, reproducibility, linearity, limits of detection and recovery. The proposed method was successfully applied to determine the curcuminoids in urine.

Buffers↗

Antioxidant effect of tetrahydrocurcumin in streptozotocin-nicotinamide induced diabetic rats.

Oxidative stress has been suggested to be a contributory factor in development and complication of diabetes. In the present study, we have investigated the effect of tetrahydrocurcumin (THC), one of the active metabolites of curcumin on antioxidants status in streptozotocin-nicotinamide induced diabetic rats. Oral administration of THC at 80 mg/kg body weight of diabetic rats for 45 days resulted in significant reduction in blood glucose and significant increase in plasma insulin levels. In addition, THC caused significant increase in the activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione-S-transferase, reduced glutathione, vitamin C and vitamin E in liver and kidney of diabetic rats with significant decrease in thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and hydroperoxides formation in liver and kidney, suggesting its role in protection against lipid peroxidation induced membrane damage. These biochemical observations were supplemented by histopathological examination of liver and kidney section. The antidiabetic and antioxidant effects of THC are more potent than those of curcumin at the same dose. Results of the present study indicated that THC showed antioxidant effect in addition to its antidiabetic effect in type 2 diabetic rats.

Animals↗

Tumor necrosis factor alpha alters Na+-K+ ATPase activity in rat cardiac myocytes: involvement of NF-kappaB, AP-1 and PGE2.

There has been increasing evidence that tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) is synthesized by cardiomyoctes and contributes to their impaired function and to cardiac failure. Because the Na(+)-K(+) ATPase is a key player in the contraction of cardiomyocytes, this work was undertaken to study the effect of TNF-alpha on the Na(+)-K(+) ATPase in rat heart. Sprague Dawley rats (Rattus norvegicus) were injected with TNF-alpha (270 ng/100 g body weight) and 4 h later the ventricles were isolated, homogenized and assayed for their Na(+)-K(+) ATPase activity. The effect of TNF-alpha on the pump was studied also in isolated myocytes treated in suspension. The involvement of PGE2 was investigated by pre-treating animals or cells with indomethacin, an inhibitor of COX enzymes. The involvement of NF-kappaB and AP-1 was studied using their respective inhibitors PDTC and curcumin. A time response study showed an increase in the activity of the Na(+)-K(+) ATPase in the left and right ventricles of animals treated with the cytokine, with no change in its protein expression. This effect disappeared in the presence of indomethacin suggesting an involvement of PGE(2) in the action of TNF-alpha. Rats and cells treated directly with PGE(2) showed a dose-dependent response. A decrease in the activity of the Na(+)-K(+) ATPase was observed at a low dose and an increase at a high dose in both ventricles. Since PGE(2) is suspected to be the active mediator in TNF-alpha signaling, inhibiting its synthesis by inhibiting some suspected transcription factors was attempted. PDTC abrogated fully, and curcumin partially the effect of the cytokine. It was concluded that TNF-alpha activates NF-kappaB and AP-1 and induces PGE(2) release which alters dose-dependently the activity of the pump by activating different EP receptors with different affinities for PGE(2).

Animals↗

Modulation of signal transduction by tea catechins and related phytochemicals.

Epidemiologic studies in human populations and experimental studies in rodents provide evidence that green tea and its constituents can inhibit both the development and growth of tumors at a variety of tissue sites. In addition, EGCG, a major biologically active component of green tea, inhibits growth and induces apoptosis in a variety of cancer cell lines. The purpose of this paper is to review evidence that these effects are mediated, at least in part, through inhibition of the activity of specific receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) and related downstream pathways of signal transduction. We also review evidence indicating that the antitumor effects of the related polyphenolic phytochemicals resveratrol, genistein, curcumin, and capsaicin are exerted via similar mechanisms. Some of these agents (EGCG, genistein, and curcumin) appear to directly target specific RTKs, and all of these compounds cause inhibition of the activity of the transcription factors AP-1 and NF-kappaB, thus inhibiting cell proliferation and enhancing apoptosis. Critical areas of future investigation include: (1) identification of the direct molecular target(s) of EGCG and related polyphenolic compounds in cells; (2) the in vivo metabolism and bioavailability of these compounds; (3) the ancillary effects of these compounds on tumor-stromal interactions; (4) the development of synergistic combinations with other antitumor agents to enhance efficacy in cancer prevention and therapy, and also minimize potential toxicities.

Animals↗

Prevention of Alzheimer's disease: Omega-3 fatty acid and phenolic anti-oxidant interventions.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) and cardiovascular disease (CVD) are syndromes of aging that share analogous lesions and risk factors, involving lipoproteins, oxidative damage and inflammation. Unlike in CVD, in AD, sensitive biomarkers are unknown, and high-risk groups are understudied. To identify potential prevention strategies in AD, we have focused on pre-clinical models (transgenic and amyloid infusion models), testing dietary/lifestyle factors strongly implicated in reducing risk in epidemiological studies. Initially, we reported the impact of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), notably ibuprofen, which reduced amyloid accumulation, but suppressed few inflammatory markers and without reducing oxidative damage. Safety concerns with chronic NSAIDs led to a screen of alternative NSAIDs and identification of the phenolic anti-inflammatory/anti-oxidant compound curcumin, the yellow pigment in turmeric that we found targeted multiple AD pathogenic cascades. The dietary omega-3 fatty acid, docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), also limited amyloid, oxidative damage and synaptic and cognitive deficits in a transgenic mouse model. Both DHA and curcumin have favorable safety profiles, epidemiology and efficacy, and may exert general anti-aging benefits (anti-cancer and cardioprotective.).

Alzheimer Disease↗

Evidence for phosphorylation requirement for human bilirubin UDP-glucuronosyltransferase (UGT1A1) activity.

Our discovery of rapid down-regulation of human bilirubin UDP-glucuronosyltransferase (UGT) in colon cell lines that was transient and irreversible following curcumin- and calphostin-C-treatment, respectively, suggested phosphorylation event(s) were involved in activity. Likewise, bilirubin-UGT1A1 expressed in COS-1 cells was inhibited by curcumin and calphostin-C. Because calphostin-C is a highly specific protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitor, we examined and found 4 to 5 predicted PKC phosphorylation sites in 11 UGTs examined. UGT1A1 incorporated [33P]orthophosphate, which was inhibited by calphostin-C. Also triple mutant, T75A/T112A/S435G-UGT1A1, at predicted PKC sites failed to incorporate [33P]orthophosphate. Individual or double mutants exhibited dominant-negative, additive, or no effect, while the triple mutant retained 10-15% activity towards bilirubin and two xenobiotics. Compared to wild-type, S435G and T112A/S435G shifted pH-optimum for eugenol, but not for bilirubin or anthraflavic acid, toward alkaline and acid conditions, respectively. This represents the first evidence that a UGT isozyme requires phosphorylation for activity.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Involvement of glutathione metabolism in the cytotoxicity of the phenethyl isothiocyanate and its cysteine conjugate to human leukaemia cells in vitro.

The dietary isothiocyanate and cancer chemopreventive agent, phenethyl isothiocyanate, induced apoptosis of human leukaemia HL60 and human myeloblastic leukaemia ML-1 cells in vitro. Cytotoxicity was associated with an initial decrease in GSH and GSSG, with a concomitant formation of the GSH adduct S-(N-phenethylthiocarbamoyl)glutathione inside cells, which was then exported from cells. After 12 hr, the cellular concentration of GSH recovered and then declined after 24 hr. Buthionine sulphoximine prevented the recovery of cellular GSH concentration and potentiated the cytotoxicity of phenethyl isothiocyanate. S-(N-phenethylthiocarbamoyl)glutathione spontaneously fragmented to GSH and phenethyl isothiocyanate, GSH oxidized to GSSG and glutathionyl-protein disulphides, and phenethyl isothiocyanate hydrolyzed to phenylethylamine. GSH and GSSG depletion was more marked in ML-1 cells than in HL60 cells. Studies with [(14)C]-labelled phenethyl isothiocyanate gave evidence of phenethylthiocarbamoylation of cells that maximized after 2-3 hr. This occurred later than the maximum concentration of S-(N-phenethylthiocarbamoyl)glutathione, but coincided with the commitment to apoptosis and cytotoxicity which developed later. The cytotoxicity of phenethyl isothiocyanate was prevented by a high concentration of GSH (15 mM) and delayed by the antioxidant and c-Jun N-terminal kinase signalling pathway inhibitor curcumin. GSH prevented and curcumin partly prevented the decrease in cellular GSH. These studies show that the cysteinyl thiol group of GSH is an important site of thiocarbamoylation by phenethyl isothiocyanate during induction of apoptosis and that this may lead to depletion of cellular GSH by efflux of the GSH conjugate. Thiocarbamoylation also occurred at other sites. The recent demonstration of a critical role for activation of caspase-8 in phenethyl isothiocyanate-induced apoptosis suggests that this thiocarbamoylation directly or indirectly leads to functional activation of a cell death receptor/adaptor protein complex.

Antineoplastic Agents↗

Modulation of aflatoxin B1 activated protein kinase C by phenolic compounds.

Several natural phenolic compounds were tested in vitro for their effect on the activity of protein kinase C isolated from liver cytosol, particulate and nuclear fractions of normal and aflatoxin B1 treated rats. Quercetin and kaempferol inhibited the enzyme activity of all these fractions at very low dose levels. These phenolics were particularly effective in inhibiting the elevated enzyme activity following aflatoxin B1 administration. Ellagic acid and curcumin were found to be inhibitory only towards particulate enzymes obtained after carcinogen treatment, while curcumin and rutin were moderately active against nuclear enzymes. Constitutive activation of protein kinase C can drive the cell to a proliferative state, thereby initiating the process of carcinogenesis, however, suppression of this activation by phenolic compounds may be an effective way to control carcinogenesis.

Aflatoxin B1↗