Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry (Formerly Current Medicinal Chemistry - Anti-Cancer Agents) - Volume 21, Issue 16, 2021

Background: Sanguinarine, a kind of benzophenanthridine alkaloid, is a natural compound with potential development value for its anticancer activity. Hundreds of studies have been carried out in vivo or in vitro, trying to make it feasible for the anticancer clinic medication of sanguinarine. However, sanguinarine was branded as a toxicant or even a carcinogen according to some toxicological experiments and cancer investigations. Objective: Aiming at safety and effectiveness of sanguinarine, this article reviews the extant information on present studies of sanguinarine, and both anticancer carcinogenesis mechanism details are summarized. The future potential research directions of this valued compound are also discussed to provide reference for future drugs development. Methods: PubMed, Web of Science, CNKI and WanFang databases were used to search current studies and experimental researches about anticancer effect or carcinogenic information of sanguinarine. Results: Our results indicated that sanguinarine exhibited anticancer effect through anti-proliferation, anti-invasion, anti-angiogenesis and apoptosis within cancer lesion. Also, many clinical investigations indicated that sanguinarine and its related products might be associated to pre-carcinoma within oral or skin potentially. Conclusion: Sanguinarine is a natural compound with good development value for its potent anticancer activity; however, its carcinogenesis effect should also be taken seriously. Studies on structural modification and analogue design should be carried out to improve its safety and efficiency in the future.

Background: Every year, we encounter more projects indicating the promising anticancer activity of vanadium molecules against different types of cancer cells. The new generation of metal-based drugs, targets the energy supplies of the cell through ROS generation leading them to cell arrest and apoptosis. The relatively low toxicity of vanadium metal, the different oxidation states that it can occur and in general, the lipophilicity of transition metals, gave attention to vanadium after the exhausting research in platinum-based drugs. Herein, the latest advances in the apoptotic activity of vanadium complex molecules have been reviewed and revealed the structure to action relationship. Future perspectives of vanadium anticancer drugs are also discussed. Methods: Data were collected from Web of Science, Scopus, Pubmed, through searching of these keywords: “apoptosis”, “anticancer drugs”, “vanadium complexes”, “synthesis” and “cell arrest”. Results: A good amount of vanadium complexes gave promising results over the past few years, showing that a more careful approach of a ligand design could give rise to the next generation of vanadium drugs. Conclusion: The low toxicity of vanadium ion in combination with its V(IV) species selectivity gives the vanadium a head starts against other transition metal complexes.

Background: Colorectal Cancer (CRC) ranks third among all cancer-related deaths around the globe. Chemotherapy may prolong the survival of CRC patients to some extent, but its clinical use is associated with grave side effects on overall health. Contrary to chemotherapy, the use of plant-derived therapeutic molecules offered advantages because of their reduced toxicity. Polyphenol is a group of phytochemicals that impart many therapeutic benefits in the treatment of diabetes, cardiovascular disease and cancer. Various signaling pathways, including Wnt/β-catenin, MAPK/PI3K and TGF-β/Smad, play very important roles in the development and progression of CRC. Polyphenols inhibit CRC progressions by modulating these signaling pathways e.g. curcumin and resveratrol impede cancer cell proliferation by inhibiting Wnt signaling. Because of their lower aqueous solubility, the therapeutic efficacy of polyphenols is not fully exploited. In order to increase their bioavailability and efficacy, the nanoformulations of polyphenols have been formulated and investigated against various CRC test models. The main objective of this review is to explore the potential roles of polyphenols and their nanoformulations in the treatment of colorectal cancer. Methods: We used PubMed, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, Google Scholar and Scopus electronic databases by searching the keywords: nanoparticles, polyphenols, colorectal cancer, cell signaling pathways. Mostly, the articles were retrieved directly from the journals licensed to the library of Qassim University, Saudi Arabia. Results: Literature analysis has shown that the polyphenols contain several important bioactive compounds, which showed potential effectiveness against CRC. Incorporating polyphenols into nanoparticles further enhanced their bioavailability and efficacy. The findings from various studies demonstrated that polyphenol-nanoformulations accelerated the apoptosis in CRC cells by upregulating the levels of caspases and Bax, whereas inhibiting the CRC cell proliferation by downregulating the expression of Bcl-2 and ERK1/2. Conclusion: This review provides a valuable resource on the important anti-CRC role of polyphenols and their nanoformulations. This review will expand our knowledge about the anti-CRC roles of polyphenols and their mechanisms of action through the multiple cell signaling pathways.

The term Mitophagy has been newly concerned in reforming the metabolic landscape inside cancerous cells in addition to the interface between malignant cells as well as other major constituents of tumour microenvironment. Several profoundly interrelated systems, comprising mitochondrial dynamics and mitophagy, function in mammalian cells as vital mitochondrial regulator processes, and their consequence in neoplastic development has recently been illuminated clinically. In specific instances of cancer cells, mitochondrial-protected metabolic paths are revamped to meet expanded bioenergetics along with biosynthetic necessities of malignant cells, in addition to deal with oxidative stress. It is an exhausting task to foresee the role that mitophagy has on malignant growth cells since it relies upon various elements like cancer variability, malignant growth phase, genetic background and harmony between cell demand and accessibility. As per condition, mitophagy may have a double role as cancer suppressor for example Atg5 (autophagy related 5) or Atg7 (autophagy related 7) or execute promoter like function for instance FUNDC1 (FUN14 domain-containing protein 1), BNIP3 (BCL2/adenovirus E1B 19-kDa-interacting protein 3), PINK1 (PTEN-instigated kinase 1) etc. Tumour suppressive function of Parkin (E3 ubiquitin ligase) is likewise distinguished in mammary gland carcinoma where obstruction of mitophagy impacts tumour progression. In pancreatic cancer cells and hepatocellular carcinoma hypermethylation of the BNIP3, promoter occurs that prevent HIF-1 (Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1) binding besides ensuing initiation of mitophagy. Since the dual role of mitophagy has in malignant growth relying upon various circumstances and cell varieties, a range of studies have been performed on mitophagy and its role in cancer progression and development is opening up a new paradigm with immense clinical importance.

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) firstly emerged in Wuhan, China at the end of 2019. After going through the experimental process, the virus was named the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) by the World Health Organization (WHO) in February 2020 which has created a global pandemic. The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection is challenging the people who are especially suffering from chronic health problems such as asthma, diabetes, and heart disease or immune system deteriorating disorders, including cancers, Alzheimer's, etc. Other predisposing/risk factors consist of smoking and age (elderly people are at higher risk). The 2019-nCoV attacks epithelial cells in all organs, particularly epithelial cells in the lungs, resulting in viral pneumonia. The 2019-nCoV starts its invasion with the attachment and entry into the respiratory tract epithelial cells via Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptors on the epithelial cells. The critical problem with 2019-nCoV is its ability in human to human asymptomatic transmission which causes the rapid and hidden spread of the virus among the population. Also, there are several reports of highly variable and tightly case-dependent clinical manifestations caused by SARS-CoV2, which made the virus more enigmatic. The clinical symptoms are varied from common manifestations which occurred in flu and cold, such as cough, fever, body-ache, trembling, and runny nose to severe conditions, like the Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) or even uncommon/unusual symptoms such as anosmia, skin color change, and stroke. In fact, besides serious injuries in the respiratory system, COVID-19 invades and damages various organs, including the kidney, liver, gastrointestinal, and nervous system. Accordingly, to cut the transmission chain of disease and control the infection spread. One of the major solutions seems to be early detection of the carriers, particularly the asymptomatic people, with sensitive and accurate diagnostic techniques. Moreover, developing novel and appropriate therapeutic approaches will contribute to the suitable management of the pandemic. Therefore, there is an urgent necessity to make comprehensive investigations and study reviews about COVID-19, offering the latest findings of novel therapies, drugs, epidemiology, and routes of virus transmission and pathogenesis. In this review, we discuss new therapeutic outcomes and cover and the most significant aspects of COVID-19, including the epidemiology, biological features, organs failure, and diagnostic techniques.

Human Carbonic Anhydrase (hCA) and Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) have been known for a long to be chiefly involved in both the pathogenesis and progression of cancer and cancer chemoresistance. Interestingly, there is considerable evidence that the sulfonamide-type COX-2 selective inhibitors (coxibs) demonstrate inhibitory action against the cancer-related hCA isoforms, confirmed by X-ray crystal structures for celecoxib and valdecoxib complexes with the hCA active site. Consequently, the antineoplastic activity of the sulfonamide coxibs may be justified by the contribution of hCA inhibition to such processes in addition to COX-2 inhibition. Accordingly, these compounds' anti-tumoral activity should be further explored for their possible use in cancer prevention and combination therapy; however, few papers deal with this issue. Beginning with a brief description of the main molecular and catalytic features of both enzymes and their roles in tumor physiology, this review covers a survey of the most recent evidence regarding the molecules targeting one or both of hCA and COX-2, besides providing insights into their mechanism of action and efficacy in preventing cancer.

Background and Objectives: Cancer is one of the leading causes of death in the world affecting millions of people. The commercially available anticancer drugs lack the selectivity and show several undue side effects during the biologically targeted therapy, thus calling for the exploration of wider chemical space to furnish new structural leads with promising anticancer potential. In this endeavor, we synthesized a series of coumarinyl thiazolotriazoles with diverse functional group tolerance and will be tested for their anticancer properties against cancer cell lines (HeLa and MCF-7) and a normal cell line (BHK-21). Materials and Methods: To overcome such complications, in the current study, we evaluated the cytotoxic effects of coumarinyl thiazolotriazole hybrids on human breast adenocarcinoma (MCF-7), cervical adenocarcinoma (HeLa) cells and normal cells i.e., Baby Hamster Kidney cells (BHK-21) using MTT (dimethyl-2-thiazolyl- 2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide) assay. DNA binding studies of compound 6c was performed on Herring- Sperm DNA (HS-DNA) and docking studies were also carried out. The mechanistic studies were performed on potent compounds by fluorescent microscopic studies, release of Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH) and mitochondrial membrane potential, activation of caspase-9 and -3 and flow cytometric analysis. Results: As revealed by MTT assay, compounds 6m and 6c were identified as the most potent derivatives among the tested series with IC50 values of 5.64 and 29.1 μM against HeLa and MCF cells, respectively as compared to cisplatin which gave IC50 values of 11.3 and 6.20 μM, respectively. DNA binding studies of compound 6c showed the binding of compound in DNA with Gibbs free energy of 128;’17 KJ/mol and docking studies validated the DNA binding studies. Fluorescent microscopic studies using 4′,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI) and Propidium Iodide (PI) staining confirmed the occurrence of apoptosis in HeLa cells treated with the most active compound 6m. Moreover, compounds 6m and 6c also triggered the release of Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH) in treated HeLa and MCF-7 cells while a luminescence assay displayed a remarkable increase in the activity of caspase-9 and -3. Moreover, flow cytometric results revealed that compound 6m caused G0 /G1 arrest in the treated HeLa cells. Conclusion: Our results suggested that the compound possesses chemotherapeutic properties against breast cancer and cervical adenocarcinoma cells, thus warranting further research to test the anticancer efficacy of this compound at clinical level.

Background: Neurokinin-1 receptor antagonists are playing a major advance in Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting (CINV) as powerful prophylactic agents. Therefore, it is significant to find the association between risk factors of patients and CINV so as to adjust the anti-emetic regimens. Objective: To evaluate the role of Neurokinin-1 Receptor (NK-1R) antagonist in preventing chemotherapy-induced vomiting in the acute and delayed phases following the first cycle of treatment. Methods: 145 adult patients with various cancers were recruited in Shanghai Changhai Hospital between September 2017 to November 2017, receiving dual or triple antiemetics. Results: NK-1R antagonist combined with dexamethasone, 5-HT3R antagonist could effectively control delayed- vomiting in patients after Cycle 1 chemotherapy treatment (4.1% vs. 15.6%, P = 0.041<; 0.05). This study also showed that a history of motion sickness was a predictor of chemotherapy-induced vomiting (CINV) (P = 0.023 <; 0.05). In delayed phase a low consumption of alcohol and history of CIV for males were also significantly associated with CINV (P = 0.036 <; 0.05 and P = 0.002 <; 0.05 respectively). Conclusion: In this study, we found that triple anti-emetic regimen with NK-1R antagonist could effectively prevent the delayed-vomiting than dual agents. Moreover, some risk factors were observed to be associated with CINV in the delayed phase.

Background: Hepatitis B virus X protein (HBx) is an indispensable progression factor in Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC). CCL15 could be a peculiar proteomic biomarker of HCC with tumorigenesis and tumor invasion. Objective: The aim of the study was to explore the relationship between HBx and CCL15 expression in HCC. Methods: HBV-positive HCC pathological tissue samples and corresponding adjacent non-tumor liver tissues were collected. The expression of HBx and CCL15 was analyzed by immunohistochemistry, real-time Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), and western blot analysis in tissues or in vitro. Results: The levels of CCL15 mRNA and protein expression in HCC samples were observably higher than those of adjacent non-tumor liver tissues. The CCL15 was significantly associated with the expression of HBx in HBV-positive HCC samples. The up-regulation of HBx induced CCL15 expression in vitro. The high expression score of CCL15 was significant associated with the poor prognosis of HCC patients. Conclusion: The CCL15 expression was observably associated with HBx in HCC patients. The CCL15 may be considered as an indicator in the clinical management of HBV-associated HCC.

Background: One of the main reasons for the poor survival rates of pancreatic cancer patients is the development of gemcitabine resistance, indicating that novel treatment strategies that have the ability to improve gemcitabine sensitivity are in need to combat this devastating disease. Methods: TCGA PAAD data was used to determine the clinicopathological significance of high RRM2 (Ribonucleotide reductase subunit M2) expression for Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma (PDAC). The effects of GW8510 and gemcitabine on PANC-1 cell viability were determined using WST-8 assay. The potential synergistic interaction between GW8510 and gemcitabine was evaluated by the Combination Index (CI) analysis. The effects of GW8510 treatment on apoptosis, cell cycle, and cell migration, either in combination with gemcitabine or alone, were investigated. The effect of GW8510 on RRM2 protein levels was evaluated using ELISA assay. Results: RRM2 is significantly over-expressed in PDAC compared to healthy pancreatic tissues (p <0.0001). RRM2 mRNA expression was found to be significantly correlated with the overall survival rate of patients (HR=2.17 [1.44-3.27], p=0.00016) and the pathological stages of the disease (p=0.0054). GW8510 significantly decreased the RRM2 protein levels compared to the control. Cell viability analysis showed that GW8510 has a similar effect to gemcitabine in inhibiting PANC-1 cell viability. GW8510 was found to synergize with gemcitabine to inhibit PANC-1 cell viability and migration. However, the effects of GW8510 on PANC-1 cells could not be explained by induction of apoptosis or cell cycle arrest. Conclusion: Targeting RRM2 using GW8510 may have the potential to increase gemcitabine sensitivity in pancreatic cancer.

Background: Indole and pyrazole constitute a major class of biologically active scaffolds. The amalgamation of two or more pharmacophores would generate novel molecular templates that are likely to unveil remarkable biological properties. Objective: An efficient and high yielding synthesis of indole-pyrazole integrated α-cyano substituted chalcones and their in vitro anti-breast cancer and antioxidant evaluation. Methods: The synthesis of a series of indole-pyrazole amalgamated α-cyano substituted chalcones (6a-o) was achieved by reacting substituted 3-cyanoacetyl indole 2 with substituted pyrazole aldehyde 5 in the presence of piperidine. All the newly synthesized compounds have been characterized by IR, ¹H NMR and HRMS spectroscopy. Results: Anti-breast cancer evaluation of the synthesized compounds in vitro against MCF-7 cell line revealed high anti-breast cancer activities. Amongst the compounds screened 6f, 6g, 6h, 6c, 6d, 6e, 6i and 6k unveiled excellent activity against breast carcinoma (GI50 <0.1μM) as good as adriamycin (GI50 <0.1μM). The compounds were also screened against the normal Vero monkey cell line and the results demonstrated more selectivity against MCF-7. On the other hand, compounds 6b, 6c, 6d, 6h and 6i have shown moderate DPPH and NO radical scavenging activity. Conclusion: Most of the synthesized compounds exhibited significant antitumor activities. These results further support its safety margin by studying the activity on normal Vero monkey cell line. These results acclaim the possible use of these compounds for the design and development of potent anti-breast cancer agents.

Background: The carcinogenesis of the uterine cervix is predominantly initiated with the consistent infection of the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV). Owing to the side effects of standard chemotherapeutics in the treatment of recurrent and metastatic cervical cancer, there is a need for a better and effective treatment modality. In this lieu of concern, natural compounds have proven their worthwhile potential against the treatment of various carcinomas. Carvacrol is a phenolic monoterpenoid and several reports have suggested its different biological properties including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anticancer activity. Objective: The objective of our present study was to investigate the effect of carvacrol on HPV18+ HeLa cervical cancer cells. Methods: HeLa cervical cancer cells were cultured and subsequently treated with various doses of carvacrol. Cell viability was assessed via MTT assay. DAPI and Hoechst3342 staining were used to qualitatively analyzed the induced apoptosis. Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) was estimated by DCFDA staining protocol and quantitatively estimated by flow cytometry. The cell cycle distribution and apoptosis (FITC-Annexin V assay) were analyzed by flow cytometry. Results: The results of the present study have established that carvacrol strongly suppresses the proliferation of cervical cancer cells via caspase-dependent apoptosis and abrogation of cell cycle progression. Furthermore, our preliminary study also demonstrated that carvacrol exhibits a synergistic effect with chemotherapeutic drugs (5-FU and carboplatin). These initial findings implicated that natural compounds could reduce the toxic effects of chemotherapeutic drugs. Conclusion: Therefore, this investigation affirms the anti-cancer potential of carvacrol against cervical cancer cells, which could be an appendage in the prevention and treatment of cervical cancer.

Background: Platelet-Rich (PRP) and Platelet-Poor plasma (PPP) are widely used in research and clinical platforms mainly due to their capacities to enhance cell growth. Although the short half-life (5 days) and the high price of platelet products pose challenges regarding their usage, they maintain the growth regulatory functions for weeks. Thus, we aimed to assess the supplementary values of these products in human CCRF- CEM cancer cells. Mechanistically, we also checked if the PRP/PPP treatment enhances YKL-40 expression as a known protein regulating cell growth. Methods: The PRP/PPP was prepared from healthy donors using manual stepwise centrifugation and phase separation. The viability of the cells treated with gradient PRP/PPP concentrations (2, 5, 10, and 15%) was measured by the MTT assay. The YKL-40 mRNA and protein levels were assessed using qRT-PCR and western blotting. The data were compared to FBS-treated cells. Results: Our findings revealed that the cells treated by PRP/PPP not only were morphologically comparable to those treated by FBS but also showed greater viability at the concentrations of 10 and 15%. Moreover, it was shown that PRP/PPP induce cell culture support, at least in part, via inducing YKL-40 expression at both mRNA and protein levels in a time- and dose-dependent manner. Conclusion: Collectively, by showing cell culture support comparable to FBS, the PRP/PPP might be used as good candidates to supplement the cancer cell culture and overcome concerns regarding the use of FBS as a non-human source in human cancer research.

Background: Resveratrol is a phenolic natural product, which is found in red grapes and in Japanese knotweed root (Polygonum cuspidatum). Naringenin is one of the flavonoid compounds found in landing grape and other citrus fruits. Both agents exert antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Objective: In this study, the effect of Resveratrol and Naringenin in an in vitro model of retinoblastoma of the eye has been investigated. Methods: XTT and trypan blue assays were used to evaluate the anti-proliferative/cytotixic effect of resveratrol and naringenin in Y79 cells. With the aid of AnnexinV/PI flow cytometry, the kind of cell death was investigated. To assess important gene expression levels at mRNA level involved in apoptosis, Real-time PCR was utilized. Results: Naringenin and resveratrol significantly decreased proliferation and stimulated cell death (mostly apoptosis) in Y79 cells at 50 and 100 (μg/ml) after 24 and 48 hours. Additional cytotoxic effect was observed after 48 hours. Furthermore expression level of Bax and Bcl2 mRNAs altered significantly in all samples treated with 50 (μg/ml) of naringenin, resveratrol, or simultaneously with both. P21 mRNAs expression altered in all mentioned samples except those treated with 50 (μg/ml) of resveratrol. Conclusion: Based on the results, it can be concluded that resveratrol and naringenin can decrease cell viability in retinoblastoma cells in an in vitro dose/time-dependent manner. Albeit more studies are needed to shed the light on the mechanism of action, our data reveal a potential synergistic cytotoxic effect of naringenin and resveratrol on Y79 cells in 48 hours.

Background: Cancer is a disease characterized by the invasion and uncontrolled growth of cells. One of the best ways to minimize the harmful effects of mutagens is through the use of natural antimutagens. In this regard, the search for new antimutagens that act in the chemoprevention could represent a promising field in this area. Objective: In this study biological potential of 11 fractions from Coccoloba uvifera L. leaf hexane extract was evaluated by several in vitro tests. Methods: Leaves were lyophilized and hexane extraction was performed. The extract was fractionated by column chromatography with hexane, ethyl acetate, and methanol. The antimutagenic (Ames test), antiproliferative (MTT test), and antioxidant capacity (DPPH, ABTS, and ferrous ion chelation) of the fractions were evaluated. Results: Fractions 4, 6, 8, and 9 have antimutagenic activity (against sodium azide in strain TA100), fraction 11 showed antiproliferative capacity (IC50 of 24 ± 9 μg/mL in cells of HCT 116). The fractions with the highest activity were analyzed by HPLC-MS and lupeol, acacetin, and β-sitosterol were identified. Conclusion: This study demonstrates, for the first time, the bioactivity of C. uvifera leaf as a new source of High Biological Value Compounds (HBVC), which can be of interest to the food and pharmaceutical industries.

Background: Dimedone is considered as one of the most important classes of compounds belonging to cyclohexan-1,3-dione. Such groups of compounds were considered as precursors for many pharmaceutically active heterocyclic compounds. Objective: The target molecules in this work were synthesized from arylhydrazones of dimedone with different substituents enhancing the study of their structure-activity relationship. Methods: Arylhydrazones of dimedones were subjected to a series of heterocyclization reactions affording annulated compounds. The anti-proliferative activities of the synthesized molecules were evaluated against six cancer cell lines. In addition, inhibitions toward tyrosine kinases, Pim-1 kinases and PAINS of the most active compounds were also studied. c-Met enzymatic inhibitions and molecular docking studies were carried out for three compounds. Results: Anti-cancer evaluations together with tyrosine and Pim-1 kinases of most of the synthesized compounds were carried out through this work. The study revealed that changing of substituents had a strong impact on the activity of the molecule. Conclusion: Many of the synthesized compounds exhibited high inhibitions towards the six cancer cell lines. This will encourage further work through the synthesis of target molecules with the same ring systems. The three compounds 7b, 8c and 12b that revealed excellent inhibitions were tested against c-Met kinase and their molecular modelling was expressed.

Background: SIRT2 belongs to a class III of Histone Deacetylase (HDAC) and has crucial roles in neurodegeneration and malignancy. Objective: The objective of this study is to discover structurally novel natural-product-derived SIRT2 inhibitors. Methods: Structure-based pharmacophore modeling integrated with validated QSAR analysis was implemented to discover structurally novel SIRT2 inhibitors from the natural products database. The targeted QSAR model combined molecular descriptors with structure-based pharmacophore capable of explaining bioactivity variation of structurally diverse SIRT2 inhibitors. Manually built pharmacophore model, validated with receiver operating characteristic curve, and selected using the statistically optimum QSAR equation, was applied as a 3Dsearch query to mine AnalytiCon Discovery database of natural products. Results: Experimental in vitro testing of highest-ranked hits identified asperphenamate and salvianolic acid B as active SIRT2 inhibitors with IC50 values in low micromolar range. Conclusion: New chemical scaffolds of SIRT2 inhibitors have been identified that could serve as a starting point for lead-structure optimization.