Normal Human Lung Fibroblast Cells Research Articles

Ternary copper(II) complex of 5-hydroxytryptophan and 1,10-phenanthroline with several pharmacological properties and an adequate safety profile

We report the synthesis and biological evaluation of a ternary copper complex, [Cu(5HTP)(phen)(H2O)](NO3).2H2O, with the antioxidant agent 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) and phenanthroline (phen, added to improve its lipophilicity and membrane transport). The crystal structure of the complex was determined by X-ray diffraction methods. The complex showed antioxidant, antimicrobial, antitumor and antimetastatic properties with an adequate safety profile. The interaction of the metal with phen promotes cellular copper accumulation and cytotoxicity on human lung A549 cell line (IC50 = 3.6 μM). Furthermore, the viability of the normal human fetal lung fibroblast cell line (MRC-5) is not altered by the complex. An oxidative stress mechanism for the anticancer effect has been determined: cellular increase of reactive oxygen species (ROS), decrease of the glutathione (GSH) and oxidized GSH (GSSG) ratio and alteration of the mitochondrial potential. The complex also displays antimetastatic activities with inhibition of cell adhesion, invasion and migration. It has not mutagenic behavior and no toxicity on Artemia salina indicating its potential to act as an effective and safety antimicrobial and antitumor drug.

Antiproliferative activity and apoptosis induction, of organo-antimony(III)-copper(I) conjugates, against human breast cancer cells.

Three known organo-antimony(III)-copper(I), mixed-metal small bioactive molecules (SBAMs) of formula [Cu(tpSb)3Cl] (1), [Cu2(tpSb)4Br2] (2) and [Cu2(tpSb)4I2] (3) (tpSb = triphenylstibine) were used for the clarification of their antiproliferative activity against human breast cancer cells: MCF-7 (hormone-dependent cells) and MDA-MB-231 (hormone-independent cells). The in vitro toxicity of 1-3 was studied against normal human foetal lung fibroblast cells (MRC-5). The genotoxicity of 1-3 was determined by the presence of micronucleus. The type of the cell death caused by 1-3 was determined using cell cycle arrest. The molecular mechanism of action of 1-3 was defined by their binding affinity towards CT-DNA (calf thymus DNA) using UV spectroscopy and viscosity measurements. Docking studies depict the interactions between 1-3 and DNA. Computations were also employed in order to rationalize the activity of these compounds. This is based on the contribution of metal aromaticity in the case of compounds 2 and 3 where the short Cu···Cu distance (2.7724(6) (2) and 2.7251(11) (3) Ǻ, respectively) suggests d10-d10 interaction between metal centres. The known small bioactive molecules of formula [Cu(tpSb)3Cl] (1), [Cu2(tpSb)4Br2] (2) and [Cu2(tpSb)4I2] (3) (tpSb = triphenylstibine) were used for the clarification of their antiproliferative activity against human breast cancer cells: MCF-7 (hormone-dependent (HD) cells) and MDA-MB-231 (hormone-independent (HI) cells).

Identification of nicotinic acetylcholine receptor subunits in different lung cancer cell lines and the inhibitory effect of alpha-conotoxin TxID on lung cancer cell growth

Lung cancer is an aggressive tumor with high incidence and mortality rate. There was growing evidence supporting that nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) play vital role inlung cancer development. In this study, the expression of α3, α4, α5, α6, α7, α9, α10, β2, β3, β4 nAChR subunits on protein and mRNA level were studied in A549, NCI–H1299, NCI–H1688, DMS114 and normal human embryonic lung fibroblast (HEL) cell lines by real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) and Western blot assay respectively. The results indicated that most of these nAChR subunits were expressed in these five cell lines. Compared with normal cells, the expression of α3 and β4 nAChR subunits were upregulated in A549 and NCI–H1299. Thus, we treated A549 and NCI–H1299 with an antagonist α-conotoxin TxID which potently and selectively blocks α3β4 nAChRs. TxID treatment could inhibit A549 and NCI–H1299 cell growth and enhance the inhibitory effect of adriamycin when treated simultaneously. To sum up, our study identified the expression of nAChR subunits in different lung cells and the anti-tumor effect of α-conotoxin TxID, which may provide novel strategies for lung cancer therapy.

Design, synthesis and biological evaluation of some new 1,3,4-thiadiazine-thiourea derivatives as potential antitumor agents against non-small cell lung cancer cells

New 1,3,4-thiadiazine-thiourea derivatives have been synthesized. All the synthesized compounds were examined for in vitro cytotoxic activity against Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) cell line A549, using MTT bioassay. Compounds 5d, 5i, 5j showed the highest cytotoxic activity with IC50 values of 0.27 ± 0.01, 0.30 ± 0.02, and 0.32 ± 0.012 μM respectively with sorafenib as reference (IC50 3.85 ± 0.27 μM). These compounds were chosen for further investigations against various biological targets known to play roles in NSCLC specifically: vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2), B-RAF and matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP9). Encouraging results were exhibited by the three compounds against the selected targets. Compound 5j was specially promising as it exhibited inhibitory activity of VEGFR2 close to sorafenib (IC50 0.11 ± 0.01 μM), most potent B-RAF activity inhibition (IC50 0.178 ± 0.004 μM) and MMP9 inhibition (IC50 0.08 ± 0.004 μM). Moreover, cell cycle analysis of A549 cells treated with 5j exhibited cell cycle arrest at G2-M phase and pro-apoptotic activity as indicated by Annexin V-FITC staining. Also, it reflected antinvasive and antimigration properties to A549 cells. Additionally, docking study of 5j on VEGFR2, B-RAF and MMP9 revealed that it binds to the target enzymes in a similar way as the co-crystallized ligand. The three compounds exhibited significantly high selectivity to A549 cancer cells against the normal human fetal lung fibroblast cell line WI-38 with higher selectivity index compared to sorafenib (5d IC50 136.76 ± 2.38 μM, SI = 506.52; 5i IC50 89.20 ± 2.11 μM, SI = 297.33; 5j IC50 79.60 ± 3.8 μM, SI = 248.75; sorafenib IC50 30.32 ± 2.41 μM, SI = 7.88). In conclusion, compounds 5d, 5i and 5j, specially 5j are promising anticancer agents targeting important pathways in NSCLC and warrant further preclinical and clinical trials.

Synthesis, characterization, DFT study, DNA/BSA-binding affinity, and cytotoxicity of some dinuclear and trinuclear gold(III) complexes.

In this study, we have synthesized a series of dinuclear and trinuclear gold(III) complexes of the general formula [Au2(N-N)Cl6] (1-3) for dinuclear and [Au3(N-N)2Cl8]+ (4-6) for trinuclear compounds, respectively, in which N-N is a bidentate ligand (1,4-diaminobutane; 1,6-diaminohexane or 1,8-diaminooctane). These complexes were characterized by elemental analysis, molar conductivity, and spectroscopic techniques (IR, UV-Vis, 1H NMR, ESI-MS). We performed DFT calculations to get insight into the geometry of the studies complexes. DNA-binding studies were performed by UV-Vis spectrophotometry and fluorescence spectroscopy. The results of competitive reactions between gold(III) complexes and ethidium bromide (EB) towards DNA have shown that selected complexes can displace EB from DNA-EB adduct. In addition, these experiments confirm that polynuclear gold(III) complexes interact with DNA covalently or via intercalation. Furthermore, high values of binding constants of gold(III) complexes towards bovine serum albumin (BSA) protein indicate good binding affinity. In addition, redox stability of complexes in the presence of DNA/BSA was confirmed by cyclic voltammetry. Results of the interactions between gold(III) complexes with DNA/BSA were discussed in reference to molecular docking data obtain by Molegro virtual docker. The cytotoxic activity of synthesized gold(III) complexes was evaluated on human breast cancer cell line (MDA-MB-231), human colorectal cancer cell line (HCT-116), and normal human lung fibroblast cell line (MRC-5). All complexes dose-dependently reduced cancer and normal cells viabilities, with significant cytotoxic effects (IC50 < 25μM) for trinuclear gold(III) complexes (4, 5) on HCT-116 cells.

A Multi-Biochemical and In Silico Study on Anti-Enzymatic Actions of Pyroglutamic Acid against PDE-5, ACE, and Urease Using Various Analytical Techniques: Unexplored Pharmacological Properties and Cytotoxicity Evaluation.

In the current study, pyroglutamic acid (pGlu), a natural amino acid derivative, has efficiently inhibited the catalytic activities of three important enzymes, namely: Human recombinant phosphodiesterase-5A1 (PDE5A1), human angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE), and urease. These enzymes were reported to be associated with several important clinical conditions in humans. Radioactivity-based assay, spectrophotometric-based assay, and an Electrospray Ionization-Mass Spectrometry-based method were employed to ascertain the inhibitory actions of pGlu against PDE5A1, ACE, and urease, respectively. The results unveiled that pGlu potently suppressed the activity of PDE5A1 (half-maximal inhibitory concentration; IC50 = 5.23 µM) compared with that of standard drug sildenafil citrate (IC50 = 7.14 µM). Moreover, pGlu at a concentration of 20 µg/mL was found to efficiently inhibit human ACE with 98.2% inhibition compared with that of standard captopril (99.6%; 20 µg/mL). The urease-catalyzed reaction was also remarkably inactivated by pGlu and standard acetohydroxamic acid with IC50 values of 1.8 and 3.9 µM, respectively. Remarkably, the outcome of in vitro cytotoxicity assay did not reveal any significant cytotoxic properties of pGlu against human cervical carcinoma cells and normal human fetal lung fibroblast cells. In addition to in vitro assays, molecular docking analyses were performed to corroborate the outcomes of in vitro results with predicted structure–activity relationships. In conclusion, pGlu could be presented as a natural and multifunctional agent with promising applications in the treatment of some ailments connected with the above-mentioned anti-enzymatic properties.

Different coordination abilities of 1,7- and 4,7-phenanthroline in the reactions with copper(II) salts: Structural characterization and biological evaluation of the reaction products

The reactions between equimolar amounts of CuX2 (X = NO3− and CF3SO3−) and two aromatic nitrogen-containing heterocycles differing in the position of nitrogen atoms, 1,7- and 4,7-phenanthroline (1,7- and 4,7-phen), were performed in ethanol/methanol at room temperature. When CuX2 salts were mixed with 4,7-phen, two copper(II) complexes, [Cu(NO3)2(4,7-Hphen)2](NO3)2 (1) and [Cu(CF3SO3)(4,7-phen)2(H2O)2]CF3SO3 (2), were formed. On the other hand, in the reaction of CuX2 salts with 1,7-phen, only 1,7-HphenNO3 (3a/b) and 1,7-HphenCF3SO3 (4) were obtained as the final products. The obtained products 1–4 were characterized by spectroscopic and X-ray diffraction techniques. In the copper(II) complexes 1 and 2, the coordination geometry around the Cu(II) ion is distorted octahedral and square pyramidal, respectively. The antimicrobial potential of the copper(II) complexes 1 and 2 and corresponding compounds used for their synthesis were assessed against four different bacterial species and Candida albicans, displaying moderate growth inhibiting activity. The cytotoxic properties of the investigated complexes were also evaluated against the normal human lung fibroblast cell line (MRC-5) indicating moderate, yet more pronounced cytotoxicity than antimicrobial properties.

Synthesis, characterization and biological evaluation of novel antimony(III) iodide complexes with tetramethylthiourea and N-ethylthiourea

Novel trivalent antimony(III) complexes with tetramethylthiourea (TMTU) and N-ethylthiourea (NETU) were synthesized by the reaction of antimony(III) iodide (SbI3). Antimony(III) iodide complexes of formulae {[SbI2(µ2-I)(TMTU)2]2} (1) and {[(NETU)SbI2(µ2-I)2(µ2-S-NETU)SbI2(NETU)]} (2) were characterized by spectroscopic techniques (FT-IR, FT-Raman, 1H and 13C NMR), TG-DTA analysis and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies showed that the complexes existed as doubly bridged (1) and triply bridged (2) dimers. Crystal structure of the ligand N-ethylthiourea was also determined with single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis.Complexes 1 and 2 were evaluated for their in vitro cytotoxic activity against human adenocarcinoma cells HeLa (cervix). The toxicity of 1 and 2 was evaluated on normal human fetal lung fibroblast cells (MRC-5). Both complexes showed selectivity against the cancerous, than normal cells. The influence of 1 and 2, on the catalytic peroxidation of the linoleic acid by the enzyme lipoxygenase (LOX) was determined experimentally and theoretically. The complexes 1 and 2 exhibited higher activity than free ligands against LOX. The in vitro antibacterial activities of free ligands and their antimony(III) iodide complexes 1 and 2 were tested against two Gram-negative (Escherichia coli ATCC 25922, Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853) and two Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923, Enterococcus faecalis ATCC 29212) bacteria. The complexes 1 and 2 were much more effective in terms of antimicrobial activity compared to the free ligands.

Synthesis, characterization and cytotoxic activity of organoruthenium(II)-halido complexes with 5-chloro-1H-benzimidazole-2-carboxylic acid

Three new ruthenium(II)-arene halido complexes, [(η6-p-cymene) RuX(L)] (1–3), were synthesized in a reaction of [(η6-p-cymene)RuX2]2 with 5-chloro-1H-benzimidazole-2-carboxylic acid (HL) in ethanol (X– = Cl– (1), Br– (2), I– (3)). The complexes were characterized by elemental analysis, mass spectrometry, IR, 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy. The cytotoxic activity of the ligand precursor and its ruthenium complexes was tested by MTT assay in human cancer cell lines: lung adenocarcinoma (A549), myelogenous leukemia (K562) as well as in one normal human fetal lung fibroblast cell line (MRC-5). The results show that ruthenium(II)-arene complexes possess enhanced cytotoxicity when compared to HL in the range of concentrations up to 300 µM. In terms of halido ligand substitution, cytotoxic activity toward A549 and K562 cell lines in 1–3 serie significantly increased (e.g., IC50 values for K562: 1: 205.76 µM; 2: 174.77 µM; 3: 83.97 µM). All studied compounds were found to be ineffective toward MRC-5. Hydrolysis of 1–3 was followed by UV-vis spectroscopy at 25 °C, revealing ligand-substitution reactions at the Ru(II) center. Compounds 2 and 3 underwent rapid hydrolysis ranging from a few minutes for the aquation to ca. 20 min, confirming typical Ru-arene behavior in aqueous solutions.

Anticancer activity, dual prooxidant/antioxidant effect and apoptosis induction profile of new bichalcophene-5-carboxamidines

A series of thirteen new aryl/hetarylbichalcophene-5-carboxamidines was prepared and screened for an in vitro anti-proliferative activity against sixty cancer cell lines. The tested monocationic bichalcophenes displayed promising potent anticancer activity against most cancer cell lines with GI50 values of 1.34–3.09 μM. The most potent compound was derivative 8 (median GI50 and TGI values of 1.34 and 3.23 μM, respectively), being also the least cytotoxic in this bichalcophene series with an LC50 of 77.6 μM. The most responsive cancer cell lines were leukemia (SR and K-562) and colon (HCT-15 and HT29) with GI50 in the sub-micromolar range. The effect of the tested bichalcophenes on normal human lung fibroblast (WI-38) cell line showed that they exerted their antiproliferative activity outside the realms of causing any toxicity in normal cells. To study apoptotic profiles of representatives of this class, compounds 4h, 4i, and 8 were found to cause significant reductions in cdk1 expression in HCT-116 colon cells by 46, 79, and 84%, respectively versus 52% reduction by 5- Flourouracil (5-FU). These three compounds were also unique being the only derivatives that significantly elevated the expression of p53 by ∼2, 4, and 5 folds, respectively. The tested bichalcophenes exhibited moderate to potent antioxidant activity in DPPH and ABTS as well as hydroxyl radical scavenging assays. Moreover, compounds IIIb, IIIc, 4c, and 4i, showed the highest pro-oxidant activity. Finally, to aid future endeavors for optimization of this series, a 5 descriptor 2D-QSAR model was derived from the common physicochemical parameters of these bichalcophenes and the external validation proved the model's good predictive efficiency.

The periodic table of urea derivative: small molecules of zinc(II) and nickel(II) of diverse antimicrobial and antiproliferative applications.

Two complexes of Zn(II) and Ni(II) ions with the urea derivative, 2-benzimidazolyl-urea (BZIMU), of formulae [ZnBZIMU)2(H2O)](NO3)2 (1) and [Ni(BZIMU)2(CH3CH2OH)2](NO3)2 (2) were synthesized and characterized by their melting point, elemental analysis, spectroscopic techniques (FTIR, UV-Vis and 1H-NMR), High-resolution mass spectroscopy (HRMS), molar conductivity and thermogravimetric analysis. The crystal structures of 1-2 were determined by X-ray diffraction analysis. The antiproliferative activity of 1-2 was tested in vitro against human adenocarcinoma cell lines: cervix (HeLa) and breast (MCF-7). Their toxicity was surveyed against normal human fetal lung fibroblast cells (MRC-5). The bioactivity mechanism of 1-2 and their related analogues of copper and silver metallodrugs are rationalized by the means of computations. The antimicrobial activity of 1-2 against Escherichia coli (E. coli) is also evaluated. The complexes [ZnBZIMU)2(H2O)](NO3)2 (1) and [Ni(BZIMU)2(CH3CH2OH)2](NO3)2 (2) (BZIMU= 2-Benzimidazolyl-urea), were tested in vitro against HeLa and MCF-7 cells. Their toxicity was surveyed against normal MRC-5 cells. The association of the microbiota with the antiproliferative activity of 1-2 was investigated against Escherichia coli.

Interactions of zinc(II) complexes with 5′-GMP and their cytotoxic activity

The mechanism of substitution from tetrahedral [ZnCl2(en)] and square-pyramidal [ZnCl2(terpy)] complexes (where en = 1,2-diaminoethane or ethylenediamine and terpy = 2,2′:6′,2′′-terpyridine) by guanosine-5′-monophosphate (5′-GMP) have been investigated by 1H NMR spectroscopy. The substitution reaction of [ZnCl2(terpy)] complex is faster than the reaction of [ZnCl2(en)], which was finished after 48 h. Information about the structures of the final products in solution were obtained from the DFT calculations (B3LYP/6-31G(d)) and experimental 1H NMR data acquired during the course of the reaction. The cytotoxic activity of zinc(II) complexes was tested on human breast cancer cell line MDA-MB-231, human colon cancer cell line HCT-116 and normal human lung fibroblast cell line MRC-5. Both complexes reduced cell viabilities, while [ZnCl2(terpy)] was significantly cytotoxic on MDA-MB-231 after 72 h, and HCT-116 after 24 h without dose dependence. The differences in reactivity toward 5′-GMP and cytotoxic activity of Zn(II) complexes may be attributed to the very stable square-pyramidal geometry of [ZnCl2(terpy)] in solution, while weak ligand effect of the en compared to the terpy affected slow interaction of tetrahedral [ZnCl2(en)] complex with the target bio-molecule.

Bismuth(III) bromide-thioamide complexes: synthesis, characterization and cytotoxic properties

AbstractNew bismuth(III) bromine compounds of the heterocyclic thioamides were prepared and structurally characterized. The reaction of heterocyclic thioamides with bismuth(III) bromide resulted in the formation of the {[BiBr2(μ2-Br)(MMI)2]2·CH3COCH3·H2O} (1), {[BiBr2(MBZIM)4]·Br·2H2O} (2), {[BiBr2(μ2-Br)(tHPMT)2]2·CH3CN} (3), {[BiBr2(μ2-Br)(PYT)2]2·CH3CN} (4) and {[BiBr2(μ2-Br)(MBZT)2]22CH3OH} (5) complexes (MMI: 2-mercapto-1-methylimidazole, MBZIM: 2-mercaptobenzimidazole, tHPMT: 2-mercapto-3,4,5,6-tetrahydro-pyrimidine, PYT: 2-mercaptopyridine and MBZT: 2-mercaptobenzothiazole). The complexes1–5were characterized by melting point (m.p.), elemental analysis (e.a.), molar conductivity, Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR), Fourier-transform Raman (FT-Raman), nuclear magnetic resonance (1H and13CNMR) spectroscopy, UV-Vis spectroscopy and thermogravimetric-differential thermal analysis (TG-DTA). The molecular structures of1–5were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Complex2is a first ionic monomuclear octahedral bismuth(III) bromide, while the complexes1,3–5are the first examples of dinuclear bismuth(III) bromide derivatives. Complexes1–5were evaluated in terms of theirin vitrocytotoxic activity against human adenocarcinoma breast (MCF-7) and cervix (HeLa) cells. The toxicity on normal human fetal lung fibroblast cells (MRC-5) was also evaluated. Moreover, the complexes1–5and free heterocyclic thioamide ligands were studied upon the catalytic peroxidation of the linoleic acid by the enzyme lipoxygenase (LOX).

Poly Organotin Acetates against DNA with Possible Implementation on Human Breast Cancer.

Two known tin-based polymers of formula {[R3Sn(CH3COO)]n} where R = n-Bu– (1) and R = Ph– (2),were evaluated for their in vitro biological properties. The compounds were characterized via their physical properties and FT-IR, 119Sn Mössbauer, and 1H NMR spectroscopic data. The molecular structures were confirmed by single-crystal X-Ray diffraction crystallography. The geometry around the tin(IV) ion is trigonal bi-pyramidal. Variations in O–Sn–O···Sn′ torsion angles lead to zig-zag and helical supramolecular assemblies for 1 and 2, respectively. The in vitro cell viability against human breast adenocarcinoma cancer cell lines: MCF-7 positive to estrogens receptors (ERs) and MDA-MB-231 negative to ERs upon their incubation with 1 and 2 was investigated. Their toxicity has been studied against normal human fetal lung fibroblast cells (MRC-5). Compounds 1 and 2 exhibit 134 and 223-fold respectively stronger antiproliferative activity against MDA-MB-231 than cisplatin. The type of the cell death caused by 1 or 2 was also determined using flow cytometry assay. The binding affinity of 1 and 2 towards the CT-DNA was suspected from the differentiation of the viscosity which occurred in the solution containing increasing amounts of 1 and 2. Changes in fluorescent emission light of Ethidium bromide (EB) in the presence of DNA confirmed the intercalation mode of interactions into DNA of both complexes 1 and 2 which have been ascertained from viscosity measurements. The corresponding apparent binding constants (Kapp) of 1 and 2 towards CT-DNA calculated through fluorescence spectra are 4.9 × 104 (1) and 7.3 × 104 (2) M−1 respectively. Finally, the type of DNA binding interactions with 1 and 2 was confirmed by docking studies.

A Glutamine-Rich Carrier Efficiently Delivers Anti-CD47 siRNA Driven by a "Glutamine Trap" To Inhibit Lung Cancer Cell Growth.

It is not efficient enough using the current approaches for tumor-selective drug delivery based on the EPR effect and ligand-receptor interactions, and they have largely failed to translate into the clinic. Therefore, it is urgent to explore an enhanced strategy for effective delivery of anticancer agents. Clinically, many cancers require large amounts of glutamine for their continued growth and survival, resulting in circulating glutamine extraction by the tumor being much greater than that for any organs, behaving as a "glutamine trap". In the present study, we sought to elucidate whether the glutamine-trap effect could be exploited to deliver therapeutic agents to selectively kill cancer cells. Here, a macromolecular glutamine analogue, glutamine-functionalized branched polyethylenimine (GPI), was constructed as the carrier to deliver anti-CD47 siRNA for the blockage of CD47 "don't eat me" signals on cancer cells. The GPI/siRNA glutamine-rich polyplexes exhibited remarkably high levels of cellular uptake by glutamine-dependent lung cancer cells, wild-type A549 cells (A549WT), and its cisplatin-resistant cells (A549DDP), specifically under glutamine-depleted conditions. It was noted that the glutamine transporter ASCT2 was highly expressed both on A549WT and A549DDP but with almost no expression in normal human lung fibroblasts cells. Inhibition of ASCT2 significantly prevented the internalization of GPI polyplexes. These findings raised the intriguing possibility that the glutamine-rich GPI polyplexes utilize the ASCT2 pathway to selectively facilitate their cellular uptake by cancer cells. GPI further delivered anti-CD47 siRNA efficiently both in vitro and in vivo to downregulate the intratumoral mRNA and protein expression levels of CD47. CD47 functions as a "don't eat me" signal and binds to the immunoreceptor SIRPα inducing evasion of phagocytic clearance. GPI/anti-CD47 siRNA polyplexes achieved significant antitumor activities both on A549WT and A549DDP tumor-bearing nude mice. Notably, it had no adverse effect on CD47-expressing red blood cells and platelets, likely because of selective delivery. Therefore, the glutamine-rich carrier GPI driven by the glutamine-trap effect provides a promising new strategy for designing anticancer drug delivery systems.

Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of Indole-2-carbohydrazide Derivatives as Anticancer Agents with Anti-angiogenic and Antiproliferative Activities.

A novel series of indole-2-carbohydrazide derivatives were synthesized, characterized, and evaluated for their antiproliferative activities against two cancer cell lines, HCT116 and SW480, and a normal human fetal lung fibroblast cell line, MRC-5. Among this series, compound 24 f displayed potent cytotoxic activities in vitro against HCT116 and SW480 cell lines with GI50 values of 8.1 and 7.9 μm, respectively, and was inactive against MRC-5 cells. The newly synthesized compounds were also evaluated for anti-angiogenesis capabilities by chick chorioallantoic membrane, human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) migration, and endothelial microtubule formation assays. Moreover, the effects of 24 f on the vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 and the signaling pathway in HUVECs indicated that this compound inhibits VEGFR-2 and its downstream related proteins. These results indicate that compound 24 f, as well as the other derivatives, are promising inhibitors of angiogenesis.

In vitro biocompatibility evaluation of canasite-calcium phosphate glass-ceramics

This research introduces a new bioactive glass-ceramic material based on canasite and calcium phosphate with different molar ratios in the range from 2 to 0.5. The glass-ceramics were obtained by controlled two-stage heat-treatment of the parent glass (encoded G) at different temperatures (700, 800, 900 and 1000 °C, encoded C700, C800, C900 and C1000, respectively). The glass and glass-ceramics were characterized by DTA, XRD, FTIR and SEM. The four point bending strength was also measured. In vitro bioactivity of the selected samples was investigated in SBF, and the cytotoxicity test was performed by culturing the samples with normal human lung fibroblast cells (WI-38 cells) and baby hamster kidney cell line (BHK cells). The results of XRD analyses showed that crystalline phases of frankamenite/canasite-A and fluorapatite were detected, and xonotlite crystal phase was formed at high heat-treatment temperature. The bending strength was significantly affected by the heat-treatment temperature. It increased with increasing crystallization temperature. SEM micrographs showed a homogeneous microstructure of interlocked needle- and rod-like crystals. Moreover, immersion of the samples in SBF demonstrated that the samples G and C900 showed a relatively better ability than other two samples. The results of the cytotoxicity test showed that cytocompatibility behavior of the samples was varied with the type of cell line. G sample showed a significant higher viability than C900 sample with the WI-38 cell line for all sample concentrations, while, this significant viability differences were not observed at low and high sample concentrations cultured with BHK cells.

Inhibition of prostate cancer DU145 cell growth with small interfering RNA targeting the SATB1 gene.

Prostate cancer is a common visceral cancer of men worldwide. It is important to develop a more effective treatment for prostate cancer to overcome the treatment resistance that occurs with recurrence. RNA interference has been demonstrated to be a powerful tool for gene knockdown and has potential as a cancer treatment. It has been previously demonstrated that staining of special AT-rich sequence-binding protein 1 (SATB1) was stronger in prostatic carcinoma with metastasis compared with prostatic carcinoma without metastasis. In the present study, SATB1 small interfering (si)RNA was transfected into prostate cancer DU145 cells and normal human lung fibroblast cells, and cell proliferation was investigated using a Cell Counting kit-8. Three siRNA were transfected into cells using siPORT Lipid Transfection agent, and blank control and negative control groups were established. The cells were harvested and SATB1 mRNA and protein expression was determined by reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction and western blotting, respectively. DU145 cell adhesion, migration and invasion capabilities were determined using cell adhesion, Transwell and Transwell with Matrigel assays, respectively. Silencing SATB1 significantly inhibited DU145 cell growth, adhesion, migration and invasive capability in vitro, indicating that a SATB1-targeting siRNA was successfully engineered. The results of the present study suggest that SATB1 siRNA may be a potential agent for treating human prostate cancer.

Antitumor activity of pyrrolizines and their Cu(II) complexes: Design, synthesis and cytotoxic screening with potential apoptosis-inducing activity

Two novel series including Schiff bases of the pyrrolizine-5-carboxamides and their Cu(II) complexes were designed, synthesized and analysed using spectral and analytical techniques. The analytical results indicated the formation of the complexes in 1:1 or 1:2 (Metal:Ligand) ratio. The geometry around the Cu centers was confirmed to be tetrahedral or octahedral. The cytotoxic activity of the new compounds was evaluated using MCF-7 (human breast adenocarcinoma), A2780 (human ovary adenocarcinoma) and HT29 (human colon adenocarcinoma), in addition to MRC5 (normal human fetal lung fibroblast) cells using the MTT cytotoxicity assay. The Schiff base 12c and the Cu complex 13b were the most active in the two series with IC50 values in the range of 0.14–2.54 μM against the three cell lines. Also, the Cu complex 13e showed excellent activity against HT29 with IC50 = 0.05μM. 7-Cyano-N-(4-methoxyphenyl)-6-((3-phenylallylidene) amino)-2,3-dihydro-1H-pyrrolizine-5-carboxamide (12c) showed high selectivity (6–13 folds) for cancerous cells over normal cells; and it induced marginal increases in the G1 and S phases of MCF-7 cells during cell cycle analysis, while compound 13b increased the MCF-7 Sub-G1 proapoptotic population, and blocked cells in the G2-M phase in a dose dependent manner. The annexin V apoptosis assay revealed the ability of compounds 12c and 13b to increase the early apoptotic MCF-7 cell populations two and three fold, respectively. Furthermore, these findings were supported by data showing that the two compounds (12c and 13b) elicit cytotoxic activity. Taken together, the data presented in this study warrants further in vitro and in vivo investigations.

Synthesis, characterization and cytotoxic properties of bismuth(III) chloride complexes with heterocyclic thioamides

Abstract Bismuth(III) complexes of the formulae [BiCl3(MBZT)2] ·H2O} (1), {[BiCl2(µ2-Cl)(MMI)2]2·(CH3)2CO} (2), {[BiCl3(µ2-S-PYT)(PYT)]2} (3) {([BiCl2(MBZIM)4]+)·2(Cl-)·(H3O+) ·2H2O} (4) and [BiCl3(tHPMT)3] (5) (where MBZT: 2-mercaptobenzothiazole, MMI: 2-mercapto-1-methylimidazole, PYT: 2-mercaptopyridine, MBZIM: 2-mercaptobenzimidazole, tHPMT: 2-mercapto-3,4,5,6-tetrahydro-pyrimidine) are reported. The compounds were characterized by spectroscopic techniques including FT-IR, FT-Raman, UV-Vis, 1H-,13C-NMR spectroscopies, TG-DTA, e.a, molar conductivity and by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. While 1, 4 and 5 are mononuclear compounds, 2 and 3 are dinuclear complexes in which the two Bi3+ ions are bridged through Cl- and SR groups respectively. Interestingly, 3 is the first example of dinuclear Bi3+ complex containing two Bi-(μ-SR)-Bi bridges between the two metal centers formed by covalent bonds. Compounds 1–5 were evaluated for their in vitro cytotoxic activity against human adenocarcinoma cervix (HeLa) and breast (MCF-7) cells. The toxicity of 1–5 was evaluated on normal human fetal lung fibroblast cells (MRC-5). The influence of 1–5, on the catalytic peroxidation of the linoleic acid by the enzyme lipoxygenase (LOX) was determined experimentally.