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The Fanconi anemia (FA) pathway confers glioma resistance to DNA alkylating agents.

DNA alkylating agents including temozolomide (TMZ) and 1,3-bis[2-chloroethyl]-1-nitroso-urea (BCNU) are the most common form of chemotherapy in the treatment of gliomas. Despite their frequent use, the therapeutic efficacy of these agents is limited by the development of resistance. Previous studies suggest that the mechanism of this resistance is complex and involves multiple DNA repair pathways. To better define the pathways contributing to the mechanisms underlying glioma resistance, we tested the contribution of the Fanconi anemia (FA) DNA repair pathway. TMZ and BCNU treatment of FA-proficient cell lines led to a dose- and time-dependent increase in FANCD2 mono-ubiquitination and FANCD2 nuclear foci formation, both hallmarks of FA pathway activation. The FA-deficient cells were more sensitive to TMZ/BCNU relative to their corrected, isogenic counterparts. To test whether these observations were pertinent to glioma biology, we screened a panel of glioma cell lines and identified one (HT16) that was deficient in the FA repair pathway. This cell line exhibited increased sensitivity to TMZ and BCNU relative to the FA-proficient glioma cell lines. Moreover, inhibition of FA pathway activation by a small molecule inhibitor (curcumin) or by small interference RNA suppression caused increased sensitivity to TMZ/BCNU in the U87 glioma cell line. The BCNU sensitizing effect of FA inhibition appeared additive to that of methyl-guanine methyl transferase inhibition. The results presented in this paper underscore the complexity of cellular resistance to DNA alkylating agents and implicate the FA repair pathway as a determinant of this resistance.

Antineoplastic Agents, Alkylating↗

Cutaneous distribution and localization of dyes affected by vehicles all with different lipophilicity.

The penetration of topically applied substances into the stratum corneum (SC) depends on several factors, e.g., the physicochemical properties of the vehicle used for application. The penetration of highly hydrophilic and lipophilic dyes into the skin was studied using a pure oil (o) or water (w) for the application compared to an o/w emulsion. The penetration and localization of both dyes, the lipophilic curcumin and the hydrophilic Patent blue V, was investigated in vivo using the method of tape stripping and microscopy. In addition, histological sections of biopsies, removed from porcine ear skin were studied using microscopy. Differences in the distribution and the localization of both dyes within the SC were observed. These differences depend on the physicochemical properties of both the vehicles and the dyes. The vehicle appears to affect, in particular, the pathways of penetration.

Administration, Cutaneous↗

The role and regulation of hepatic stellate cell apoptosis in reversal of liver fibrosis.

Liver fibrosis and its end-stage disease cirrhosis are major world health problems arising from chronic injury of the liver by a variety of etiological factors including viruses, alcohol and drug abuse, the metabolic syndrome, autoimmune disease and hereditary disorders of metabolism. Fibrosis is a progressive pathological process in which wound-healing myofibroblasts of the liver respond to injury by promoting replacement of the normal hepatic tissue with a scar-like matrix composed of cross-linked collagen. Until recently it was believed that this process was irreversible. However emerging experimental and clinical evidence is starting to show that even cirrhosis is potentially reversible. Key to this is the discovery that reversion of fibrosis is accompanied by clearance of hepatic stellate cells (HSC) by apoptosis. Furthermore, proof-of-concept studies in rodents have demonstrated that experimental augmentation of HSC apoptosis will promote the resolution of fibrosis. Consequently there is now considerable interest in determining the molecular events that regulate HSC apoptosis and the discovery of drugs that will stimulate HSC apoptosis in a selective manner. This review will consider the regulatory role played by growth factors (e.g. NGF, IGF-1, TGFbeta), death receptor ligands (TRAIL, FAS), components and regulators of extracellular matrix (integrins, collagen, matrix metalloproteinases and their tissue inhibitors) and signal transduction proteins and transcription factors (Rho/Rho kinase, Jun N-terminal Kinase (JNK), IkappaKinase (IKK), NF-kappa B). The potential for known pharmacological agents such as gliotoxin, sulfasalazine, benzodiazepine ligands, curcumin and tanshinone I to induce HSC apoptosis and therefore to be used therapeutically will be explored.

Animals↗

Inhibition of Naja naja venom hyaluronidase by plant-derived bioactive components and polysaccharides.

The inhibitory effect of several bioactive compounds on the activity of hyaluronidase enzyme purified from Naja naja venom was investigated in vitro. Compounds were found to inhibit the hyaluronidase activity dose dependently. Among glycosaminoglycans, heparin, heparan sulfate, and dermatan sulfate showed maximum inhibition compared to chondroitin sulfates. Different molecular forms of chitosan inhibit the enzyme, and inhibition appears to depend on the chain length. In addition, plant-derived bioactive compounds also inhibited the activity of hyaluronidase dose dependently. Among those tested, aristolochic acid, indomethacin, quercetin, curcumin, tannic acid, and flavone exhibited inhibition, with aristolochic acid and quercetin completely inhibiting the enzyme activity. It is concluded that the inhibitors of hyaluronidase could be used as potent first aid agents in snakebite therapy. Furthermore, these inhibitors not only reduce the local tissue damage but also retard the easy diffusion of systemic toxins and hence increase survival time.

Alkaloids↗

Effects of dietary phenolic compounds on tocopherol, cholesterol, and fatty acids in rats.

The effects of the phenolic compounds butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), sesamin (S), curcumin (CU), and ferulic acid (FA) on plasma, liver, and lung concentrations of alpha- and gamma-tocopherols (T), on plasma and liver cholesterol, and on the fatty acid composition of liver lipids were studied in male Sprague-Dawley rats. Test compounds were given to rats ad libitum for 4 wk at 4 g/kg diet, in a diet low but adequate in vitamin E (36 mg/kg of gamma-T and 25 mg/kg of alpha-T) and containing 2 g/kg of cholesterol. BHT significantly reduced feed intake (P < 0.05) and body weight and increased feed conversion ratio; S and BHT caused a significant enlargement of the liver (P < 0.001), whereas CU and FA did not affect any of these parameters. The amount of liver lipids was significantly lowered by BHT (P < 0.01) while the other substances reduced liver lipid concentrations but not significantly. Regarding effects on tocopherol levels, (i) feeding of BHT resulted in a significant elevation (P< 0.001) of alpha-T in plasma, liver, and lung, while gamma-T values remained unchanged; (ii) rats provided with the S diet had substantially higher gamma-T levels (P < 0.001) in plasma, liver, and lung, whereas alpha-T levels were not affected; (iii) administration of CU raised the concentration of alpha-T in the lung (P < 0.01) but did not affect the plasma or liver values of any of the tocopherols; and (iv) FA had no effect on the levels of either homolog in the plasma, liver, or lung. The level of an unknown substance in the liver was significantly reduced by dietary BHT (P < 0.001). BHT was the only compound that tended to increase total cholesterol (TC) in plasma, due to an elevation of cholesterol in the very low density lipoprotein + low density lipoprotein (VLDL + LDL) fraction. S and FA tended to lower plasma total and VLDL + LDL cholesterol concentrations, but the effect for CU was statistically significant (P < 0.05). FA increased plasma high density lipoprotein cholesterol while the other compounds reduced it numerically, but not significantly. BHT, CU, and S reduced cholesterol levels in the liver TC (P < 0.001) and percentages of TC in liver lipids (P < 0.05). With regard to the fatty acid composition of liver lipids, S increased the n-6/n-3 and the 18:3/20:5 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) ratios, and BHT lowered total monounsaturated fatty acids and increased total PUFA (n-6 + n-3). The effects of CU and FA on fatty acids were not highly significant. These results suggest some in vivo interactions between these phenolic compounds and tocopherols that may increase the bioavailability of vitamin E and decrease cholesterol in rats.

Animals↗

The effect of retinoids, carotenoids and phenolics on chromosomal instability of bovine papillomavirus DNA-carrying cells.

Antioxidants were found to protect against the genotoxic effects of chemical and physical mutagenic and clastogenic agents. This study focused on the capacity of antioxidants to reduce an intrinsic and persistent chromosome instability. As a model system, strains of C127 cells, which were transformed by bovine papillomavirus (BPV) DNA and which carry BPV DNA varying from 20 to 160 copies, were used. Transformed cells of 10 different strains showed a persistently high incidence of mitotic irregularities detectable at anaphase and telophase (27.3-58.9%), an elevated frequency of cells with micronuclei (6.6-34.7%), and a broad spectrum of nuclear sizes, as measured by image analysis. A 3-day exposure to retinoic acid, retinol, beta-carotene, canthaxanthin, ascorbic acid and ellagic acid greatly reduced the degree of chromosome instability, whereas catechin, eugenol and pyrogallol showed a smaller inhibitory effect, and curcumin had no detectable effect on the frequency of mitotic irregularities. After withdrawal of retinoic acid treatment, the high levels of chromosome instability reappeared. The possibility that the protective effect of the retinoids and carotenoids examined in the model system points to their beneficial administration to human cells with an intrinsic or acquired chromosome instability is discussed.

Antioxidants↗

Inhibition of 5-hydroxy-eicosatetraenoic acid (5-HETE) formation in intact human neutrophils by naturally-occurring diarylheptanoids: inhibitory activities of curcuminoids and yakuchinones.

Various diarylheptanoids including curcumin, bis (3,4-dihydroxy-cinnamoyl) methane, and yakuchinones A & B were screened and found to be potent inhibitors of 5-HETE production by intact human neutrophils, with respective IC50 values of 8.0, 4.4, 5.4, and 4.0 microM. These diarylheptanoids were found to be more potent than BW-755C, Phenidone, and AA-861. We have confirmed a previous report that several of these diarylheptanoids inhibit cyclooxygenase. Thus, curcuminoids and yakuchinones are more accurately characterized as dual inhibitors of arachidonic acid metabolism.

Catechols↗

Inhibition by plant phenols of benzo[a]pyrene-induced nuclear aberrations in mammalian intestinal cells: a rapid in vivo assessment method.

The polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon, benzo[a]pyrene, induced dose-related nuclear damage (micronuclei, pyknotic nuclei and karyorrhectic bodies) in colonic epithelial cells of C57BL/6J mice within 24 hr when administered intrarectally in single doses of 0-200 mg/kg body weight. This damage was reduced when mice ingested the plant phenols, caffeic, ferulic and ellagic acids, and quercetin at levels of 4% or BHA at 2% (w/w) in the diet for 1 wk prior to the benzo[a]pyrene challenge (100 mg/kg body weight). Benzo[a]pyrene-induced nuclear damage was not significantly inhibited by 4% curcumin under similar conditions. The inhibition of nuclear damage is consistent with reported antimutagenic effects for these agents in vitro and in longer term animal studies. The procedure described here may provide a rapid in vivo method for assessing the potential of natural products to inhibit the carcinogenic process.

Animals↗

Effect of four plant phenols, beta-carotene and alpha-tocopherol on 3(H)benzopyrene-DNA interaction in vitro in the presence of rat and mouse liver postmitochondrial fraction.

The modulatory effect of beta-carotene, alpha-tocopherol and the four plant phenols eugenol, hydroxychavicol, curcumin and catechin on mouse and rat liver postmitochondrial fraction (S9 mix)-mediated 3(H)benzopyrene (B(a)P)-DNA interaction in vitro was studied. All the plant phenolics significantly inhibited 3(H)B(a)P-DNA interaction in the presence of both mouse and rat liver S9 fractions. In contrast, alpha-tocopherol proved to be ineffective in the presence of both types of S9 mix, whereas beta-carotene inhibited only mouse S9 mix-mediated 3(H)B(a)P-DNA interaction.

Animals↗

Effects of three dietary phytochemicals from tea, rosemary and turmeric on inflammation-induced nitrite production.

In chronic inflammation, cytokines induce the production of nitric oxide (NO.) that is converted to DNA damaging and carcinogenic peroxynitrite and nitrite. The compounds epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), carnosol, and curcumin are non-vitamin phytochemicals contained in commonly consumed dietary plants. They are known to be anti-inflammatory and cancer preventive. Therefore, we studied their effect on the generation of peroxynitrite radicals and nitrite. They inhibited lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and interferon-gamma (IFN gamma) induced nitrite production by mouse peritoneal cells by more than 50% at 2.5-10 microM. Cell viability assays verified that the inhibition was not due to general cellular toxicity.

Abietanes↗

Increase of intracellular glutathione by low-level NO mediated by transcription factor NF-kappaB in RAW 264.7 cells.

The mechanism underlying the elevation of intracellular glutathione (GSH) in RAW 264.7 cells exposed to low concentrations of sodium nitroprusside (SNP), a well-known nitric oxide (NO) donor, was investigated. The peak of intracellular GSH was reached at 6 h after exposure of the cells to SNP (0.1-0.5 mM), and this was preceded by the induction of mRNA for gamma-glutamylcysteine synthetase (gamma-GCS; the rate-limiting enzyme of de novo GSH synthesis), which peaked at 3 h. N-alpha-Tosyl-L-phenylalanine chloromethyl ketone (TPCK) and caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE), specific inhibitors of NF-kappaB, significantly suppressed the SNP-induced elevation of GSH protein and gamma-GCS mRNA, while curcumin, an inhibitor of AP-1, was less effective. Electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) showed that SNP exposure markedly increased the DNA binding of NF-kappaB, but not that of AP-1. Deletion or mutagenesis of the NF-kappaB site in the gamma-GCS gene promoter abolished the SNP-induced up-regulation of GSH protein and gamma-GCS mRNA. These results suggest that the elevation of intracellular GSH in RAW 264.7 cells exposed to low concentrations of SNP occurs through the operation of the de novo GSH pathway, and is mediated by transcriptional up-regulation of the gamma-GCS gene, predominantly at the NF-kappaB binding site in its promoter.

Animals↗

Carboplatin induces apoptotic cell death through downregulation of constitutively active nuclear factor-kappaB in human HPV-18 E6-positive HEp-2 cells.

Because the role of nuclear factor kappaB (NF-kappaB) is in cellular growth control and neoplasia, we explored the status of NF-kappaB and investigated its role in survival of human HPV-18 E6-positive HEp-2 cells. We observed accumulation of p65 in the nucleus. Moreover, without any external stimulus constitutive NF-kappaB DNA binding and transactivation activity were detected in HEp-2 cells. Treatment with NF-kappaB inhibitor curcumin (diferuloylmethane) and transient transfection of the mutant form of IkappaBalpha, IkappaBalpha super repressor (IkappaBalpha-SR), suppressed constitutive NF-kappaB activity as well as proliferation, suggesting that constitutive NF-kappaB activity is required for the survival of HEp-2 cells. Carboplatin treatment downregulated constitutive NF-kappaB activity and prevented nuclear retention of p65. Further, carboplatin also suppressed the constitutive IkappaBalpha phosphorylation leading to stabilization of IkappaBalpha protein in the cells. Carboplatin inhibited NF-kappaB binding to its response element present in Bcl-2 promoter resulting in downregulation of antiapoptotic Bcl-2 protein. Thus, our results for the first time indicate that constitutive NF-kappaB has a significant role in the survival of HPV-18 E6-positive HEp-2 cells. Moreover, inactivation of NF-kappaB is one of the mechanisms underlying the induction of carboplatin-mediated apoptosis in HPV-18 E6-positive cancer cells.

Antineoplastic Agents↗

The human transcription factor AP-1 is a mediator of bile acid-induced liver cell apoptosis.

Apoptosis induced by toxic bile acids is thought to contribute to liver injury during cholestasis. The transcription factor AP-1 is involved in the induction of apoptosis depending on stimulus and cell type. It is not known whether the major human toxic bile acid, glycochenodeoxycholic acid (GCDCA), modulates AP-1 in hepatocytes. Our data show that GCDCA (75 microM, 4 h) significantly upregulates cFos and JunB as demonstrated by microarray analysis and real-time PCR in HepG2-Ntcp hepatoma cells. GCDCA (75 microM, 4 h) also induced AP-1 activation as determined by EMSA that was most distinct after 30 min. In parallel, AP-1 transcriptional activity increased by 40% after exposure to GCDCA. Curcumin, an AP-1 inhibitor, dose-dependently reduced (1-25 microM) or completely abolished (50 microM) the apoptotic effect of GCDCA. Thus, GCDCA-induced upregulation of AP-1-dependent genes appears important for the cytotoxicity of this bile acid.

Amino Acid Chloromethyl Ketones↗

Screening of the antioxidative properties and total phenolic contents of three endemic Tanacetum subspecies from Turkish flora.

Methanolic extracts of three different Tanacetum subspecies [Tanacetum densum (Lab.) Schultz Bip. subsp. sivasicum Hub-Mor and Grierson, Tanacetum densum (Lab.) Schultz Bip. subsp. eginense Heywood and Tanacetum densum (Lab.) Schultz Bip. subsp. amani Heywood] which are endemic to Turkish flora were screened for their possible antioxidant activities by two complementary test systems namely DPPH free radical scavenging and beta-carotene/linoleic acid. In DPPH system, the most active plant was T. densum subsp. amani with an IC(50) value of 69.30+/-0.37 microg/ml. On the other hand, T. densum subsp. sivasicum exerted greater antioxidant activity than those of other subspecies in beta-carotene/linoleic acid system (79.10%+/-1.83). Antioxidant activities of BHT, curcumine and ascorbic acid were also determined as positive controls in parallel experiments. Total phenolic constituents of the extracts of Tanacetum subspecies were performed employing the literature methods involving Folin-Ciocalteu reagent and gallic acid as standard. The amount of total phenolics was highest in subsp. sivasicum (162.33+/-3.57 microg/mg), followed by subsp. amani (158.44+/-2.17 microg/mg). Especially, a positive correlation was observed between total phenolic content and antioxidant activity of the extracts.

Ascorbic Acid↗

Synthesis and biological evaluation of polyhydroxycurcuminoids.

A series of curcumin analogs (1-3, 5a-5t) was synthesized through the condensation of appropriately protected hydroxybenzaldehydes with acetylacetone, followed by deprotection. The antioxidant activity of these analogs was determined by superoxide free radical nitroblue tetrazolium and DPPH free radical scavenging methods and the polyhydroxycurcuminoids (5l-5s) displayed excellent antioxidant activity. These analogs showed cytotoxicity to lymphocytes and promising tumor-reducing activity on Dalton's lymphoma ascites tumor cells.

Animals↗

Synthesis of symmetrical bis-alkynyl or alkyl pyridine and thiophene derivatives and their antiangiogenic activities.

Fourteen symmetrical bis-alkynyl pyridine and thiophene derivatives were synthesized and their antiangiogenic activity was evaluated with the proliferation and tube formation inhibitory activity on the human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC). Compounds 6, 8, and 10, rigid mimetic structure of curcumin, showed the potent growth inhibitory activity and the potent tube formation inhibitory activity.

Angiogenesis Inhibitors↗

Nitric oxide is synthesized in acute leukemia cells after exposure to phenolic antioxidants and initially protects against mitochondrial membrane depolarization.

We investigated the early events involved in loss of mitochondrial membrane potential (DeltaPsi(mt)) leading to apoptosis in cells derived from patients with acute lymphocytic leukemia after exposure to phenolic antioxidants. Using the nitric oxide binding dye diaminofluorescein-FM diacetate, we found that intracellular nitric oxide (NO) levels increased significantly within 4h after exposure to the antioxidants curcumin, carnosol, and quercetin. Inhibition of nitric oxide synthetase (NOS) activity with mercaptoethylguanidine increased the percentage of leukemia cells with depolarized mitochondria membranes after antioxidant treatment. These data suggest that NO production in the leukemia-derived cells may be a protective response to maintain DeltaPsi(mt) after antioxidant exposure and inhibition of NOS increases the disruption of mitochondrial homeostasis induced by the antioxidants.

Abietanes↗

Interleukin-17 signal transduction pathways implicated in inducing matrix metalloproteinase-3, -13 and aggrecanase-1 genes in articular chondrocytes.

Interleukin (IL)-17 promotes cartilage breakdown by inducing matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and aggrecanases (a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motif, ADAMTS) in arthritic joints. We investigated IL-17 signaling pathways inducing MMP-3, MMP-13 and ADAM-TS4 genes in bovine articular chondrocytes. IL-17 stimulated phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), protein 38 (p38) and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK). ERK pathway inhibitors, PD98059 and U0126, down-regulated IL-17-induced MMP and ADAM-TS4 gene expression. Protein 38 and JNK pathway inhibitors, SB203580 and SP600125, also reduced induction of these genes. Antioxidants and activating protein-1 transcription factor inhibitors, nordihydroguaiaretic acid and N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC) suppressed MMP and ADAM-TS4 genes. Similarly, nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kappaB) pathways inhibitors curcumin and Bay-11-7085 also blocked their induction. Thus MMP-3, MMP-13 and ADAM-TS4 genes are coordinately up-regulated by IL-17 via MAP kinases, activating protein-1 (AP-1) and NF-kappaB mediators, which could be targeted for reducing IL-17-triggered cartilage damage.

ADAM Proteins↗