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Curcumin, derived from the food flavoring spice turmeric (Curcuma longa), has been shown to exhibit anticancer activities and induce apoptosis in many types of cancer cell lines. In our previous study, curcumin was able to inhibit murine myelomonocytic leukemia WEHI-3 cells in vivo. However, there is no report addressing the cytotoxic responses and the mechanisms underlying curcumin-induced apoptotic cell death in WEHI-3 cells. Therefore, we hypothesized that that curcumin affected WEHI-3 cells and triggered cell death through apoptotic signaling pathways. The effects of curcumin on WEHI-3 cells were investigated by using flow cytometric analysis, comet assay, confocal laser microscopy and Western blotting. In this study, we found that curcumin induced apoptosis in WEHI-3 cells in a dose-dependent (5-20 μM) manner. Interestingly, curcumin enhanced the level of the antiapoptotic protein Bcl-2 which might show that curcumin-induced apoptosis is done through the ER stress signaling pathways based on the increase of CIEBP homologous protein (CHOP), activating transcription factor 6 (ATF-6), inositol-requiring enzyme 1 (IRE1), and caspase-12 in WEHI-3 cells. Moreover, curcumin increased the reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and cytosolic Ca²⁺ release, and induced DNA damage, but decreased the level of mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm ) in WEHI-3 cells. In conclusion, curcumin-induced apoptosis occurs through the ROS-affected, mitochondria-mediated and ER stress-dependent pathways. The evaluation of curcumin as a potential therapeutic agent for treatment of leukemia seems warranted.

Dibromoisocyanuric acid proves to be a more efficient reagent for the dibromination of the title pyrazole derivatives than NBS.

A ‘‘one-pot’’ method for the synthesis of N-(1,3-diphenyl-1H-pyrazol-5-yl)amides was developed by cyclization of benzoylacetonitrile (1) and phenylhydrazine in neat condition followed by acylation. The corresponding N-(1,3-diphenyl-1H-pyrazol-5-yl)amides were provided in good to excellent yields (70– 90%). The significant advantages of the new synthetic method are excellent yields and simple work-up procedure without isolation and purification of intermediary 5-amino-1,3-diphenyl pyrazol (2).

Aims This study was designed to examine the mechanism of relaxation induced by CIJ-3-2F, a benzyl-furoquinoline antiarrhythmic agent, in rat thoracic aorta at the tissue and cellular levels. Main methods Isometric tension of rat aortic ring was measured in response to drugs. Ionic channel activities in freshly dissociated aortic vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) were investigated using a whole-cell patch-clamp technique. Key findings CIJ-3-2F relaxed both phenylephrine (PE) and high KCl (60 mM)-induced contractions with respective p EC 50 (-log EC 50 ) values of 6.91 ± 0.07 and 6.32 ± 0.06. Removal of endothelium or pretreatment with nitric oxide (NO)-pathway inhibitors N ω -nitro- l -arginine methyl ester (L-NAME), N G -monomethyl- l -arginine (L-NMMA), N 5 -(1-iminoethyl)- l -ornithine (L-NIO), hemoglobin, methylene blue or 1 H -[1,2,4]oxadiazolo[4,2-α]quinoxalin-1-one (ODQ) reduced the relaxant effect of CIJ-3-2F. Relaxation to CIJ-3-2F was also attenuated by K + channel blockers tetraethylammonium (TEA) or 4-aminopyridine (4-AP), but not by charybdotoxin plus apamin, iberiotoxin, glibenclamide, or BaCl 2 . CIJ-3-2F non-competitively antagonized the contractions induced by PE, Ca 2+ , and Bay K8644 in endothelium-denuded rings. In addition, CIJ-3-2F inhibited both the phasic and tonic contractions induced by PE but did not affect the transient contraction induced by caffeine. CIJ-3-2F reduced the Ba 2+ inward current through L-type Ca 2+ channel (IC 50 = 4.1 μM) and enhanced the voltage-dependent K + (K v ) current in aortic VSMCs. Significance These results suggest that CIJ-3-2F induced both endothelium-dependent and -independent vasorelaxation; the former is likely mediated by the NO/cGMP pathway whereas the latter is probably mediated through inhibition of Ca 2+ influx or inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate (IP 3 )-sensitive intracellular Ca 2+ release, or through activation of K v channels.

An efficient and convenient method for the bromination of pyrazolones and 5-hydroxypyrazoles was developed by using N -bromobenzamide in THF at room temperature. This new method provided di-bromimated pyrazolones in excellent yields (≥90%).

Cancer chemotherapeutic agents that interfere with tubulin/microtubule function are in extensive use. Quinolone is a common structure in alkaloids and its related components exhibit several pharmacological activities. In this study, we have identified the anticancer mechanisms of 2-phenyl-4-quinolone. 2-Phenyl-4-quinolone displayed anti-proliferative effect in several cancer types, including hormone-resistant prostate cancer PC-3, hepatocellular carcinoma Hep3B and HepG2, non-small cell lung cancer A549 and P-glycoprotein-rich breast cancer NCI/ADR-RES cells. The IC(50) values were 0.85, 1.81, 3.32, 0.90 and 1.53 microM, respectively. 2-Phenyl-4-quinolone caused G2/M arrest of the cell-cycle and a subsequent apoptosis. The turbidity assay showed an inhibitory effect on tubulin polymerization. After immunochemical examination, the data demonstrated that the microtubules were arranged irregularly into dipolarity showing prometaphase-like states. Furthermore, 2-Phenyl-4-quinolone induced the Mcl-1 cleavage, the phosphorylation of Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL (12-h treatment), and the caspase activation including caspase-8, -2 and -3 (24-h treatment). The exposure of cells to 2-phenyl-4-quinolone caused Cdk1 activation by several observations, namely (i) elevation of cyclin B1 expression, (ii) dephosphorylation on inhibitory Tyr-15 of Cdk1, and (iii) dephosphorylation on Ser-216 of Cdc25c. Moreover, a long-term treatment (36h) caused the release reaction and subsequent nuclear translocation of AIF. In summary, it is suggested that 2-phenyl-4-quinolone displays anticancer effect through the dysregulation of mitotic spindles and induction of mitotic arrest. Furthermore, participation of cell-cycle regulators, Bcl-2 family of proteins, activation of caspases and release of AIF may mutually cross-regulate the apoptotic signaling cascades induced by 2-phenyl-4-quinolone.

Dibromoisocyanuric acid proves to be a more efficient reagent for the dibromination of the title pyrazole derivatives than NBS.

The advantage of the presented one-pot method is primarily a simple work-up procedure without isolation and purification of the intermediate 5-amino-1,3-diphenyl-pyrazole.

JOTO1007 (ethyl 2-[N-p-chlorobenzyl-(2'-methyl)] anilino-4-oxo-4,5-dihydrofuran -3-carboxylate) has anticancer effects in human cervical cancer Ca Ski cells. However, its mechanism of action on the cell migration and invasion of human cervical cancer Ca Ski cells is not fully understood. In this study, firstly, the effects of JOTO1007 on the migration and invasion of Ca Ski cells were examined by using matrigel counting. The results showed that JOTO1007 suppressed the migration and invasion of the Ca Ski cells. Secondly, the effect of JOTO1007 on the levels of proteins associated with cell metastasis was examined using Western blotting. The results indicated that JOTO1007 inhibited the levels of son of sevenless homolog 1 (SOS-1), growth factor receptor-bound protein 2 (GRB2), Ras homolog gene family, member A (RhoA), Rho-associated, coiled-coil containing protein kinase 1 (ROCK-1), focal adhesion kinase (FAK), phosphorylated-c-jun (p-c-jun), nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kappaB) p65, cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1/2 (ERK1/2), matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2), MMP-7 and MMP-9 but promoted the levels of protein kinase C (PKC), phosphoinositide 3-kinases (PI3K), MAP kinase kinase kinase 3 (MEKK3), mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 7 (MKK7), c-jun and inducible nitric oxide synthases (iNOS), while not affecting Ras, phosphorylated-ERK (p-ERK), p38 and c-jun N-terminal kinase 1/2 (JNK1/2), which finally led to the inhibition of migration and invasion of the Ca Ski cells in vitro. Overall, JOTO1007 inhibited NF-kappaB which then led to the inhibition of the MMP-2, -7 and -9 expression followed by the inhibition of migration and invasion in the Ca Ski cells.

Curcumin (diferuloylmethane), a phenolic compound from the plant Curcuma longa (Linn.) has been shown to exhibit antitumor activity and apoptosis in many human cancer cell lines including that of lung and liver cancer. In this study, curcumin was evaluated in BALB/c mice for its ability to inhibit pulmonary and liver adenoma formation and growth after they were orally treated with N-bis(2-hydroxypropyl)nitrosamine (DHPN). Animals were treated with DHPN in water for approximately 14 days before multiple doses of curcumin were given intraperitoneally. It was found that 200 microM curcumin reduced lung and liver tumor multiplicity by 37% (p0.05) and 30% (p0.05) respectively. The results indicated that curcumin significantly inhibited pulmonary and liver adenoma formation and growth in BALB/c mice. The precise mechanism by which curcumin inhibits lung and liver tumorigenesis remains to be elucidated. Thus, curcumin appears to be a promising new chemotherapeutic and preventive agent for lung and liver cancer induced by DHPN.

A series of new N-alkyl-2,3,4,9-tetrahydrofuro[2,3-b]quinoline-3,4-dione and N-alkyl-4,9-dihydrofuro[2,3-b]-quinolin-4-one derivatives were prepared and evaluated for their anti-inflammatory activity by the carrageenin hind paw edema method and antiallergic activity by the rat passive cutaneous anaphylaxis method. Among those tested compounds, N-ethyl-2,3,4,9-tetrahydrofuro[2,3-b]quinoline-3,4-dione was the most promising agent which could provide a novel structural prototype for antiallergic agents.

Human cervical cancer is potentially lethal, and therefore the development of effective and tolerable therapeutic options is vital. In the present study, the in vitro effect of the synthetized compound JOT01006 (C21H20C1NO4) on human cervical epithelioid carcinoma cell line (HeLa) was examined. The results demonstrated that JOT01006 induced morphological changes and cytotoxicity (decreased the percentage of viable cells) in a dose-dependent manner. JOT01006 induced apoptosis which was analyzed by flow cytometric methods and confirmed by DAPI staining and DNA fragmentation analyzed by DNA gel electrophoresis. JOT01006 also induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) overproduction before causing endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress which was also confirmed by the increased levels of Grp78 and Gadd153. Western blotting was selected to demonstrate that JOT010006 promoted p53, Bak, PARP, caspase-3 levels and decreased the levels of Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL. Our results also showed that JOT01006 also promoted caspase-12 production followed by apoptosis. The results also showed that JOT01006 inhibited the migration of HeLa cells potentially through inhibition of MMP-2 and -9.

A series of 2,3,4,9-tetrahydrofuro[2,3-b]quinolin-3,4-dione and ethyl 2-(substituted aniline) -4-oxo-4,5-dihydrofuran-3-carboxylate were synthesized and evaluated for cytotoxicity on murine leukemia WEHI-3 cells. The cytotoxic effects of most compounds tested were dose-dependent and the structure-activity relationships indicated that N-substituted benzyl derivatives displayed a stronger inhibitory activity against murine leukemia WEHI-3 cells compared to non-N-substituted benzyl substituted derivatives.

The cytotoxic effects of a new compound, ethyl 2-[N-p-chlorobenzyl-(2'-methyl)] aniline-4-oxo-4,5-dihydrofuran-3-carboxylate (JOT01007) have been tested in mouse leukemia WEHI-3 cells. In this study, the mechanisms by which JOT01007 acts on a human cervical cancer cell line (Ca Ski) to bring about an increase in the ratio of Bax/Bcl-2, reduction of the mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), increase in the levels of cytoplasmic Ca2+, activation of caspases and fragmentation of DNA, and apoptosis were investigated. Flow cytometric analysis demonstrated that JOT01007 induced a decrease of MMP in Ca Ski cells. JOT01007 induced an increase in the level of cytoplasmic Ca2+, which was inhibited by BAPTA (calcium chelator), and BAPTA accelerated the MMP reduction, and significantly blocked JOT01007-induced apoptosis. Western blotting demonstrated that JOT01007 induced an increase in the levels of p53, p2I, cytochrome-c, caspase-3 and Bax, but decreased the level of Bcl-2. In conclusion, our data demonstrate that JOT01007-induced apoptosis occurs via a mitochondria-dependent pathway closely related to the level of cytoplasmic Ca2+ in Ca Ski cells.

We studied the electrophysiological and antiarrhythmic actions of HA-7 [N-benzyl-7-methoxy-2,3,4,9-tetrahydrofuro[2,3-b]quinoline-3,4-dione], a furoquinoline alkaloid derivative, in guinea pig heart preparations. In the perfused whole heart model, HA-7 caused a prolongation in the basic cycle length, ventricular repolarization time, and the atrioventricular (AV) nodal Wenckebach cycle length and prolonged the refractory period of the atrium, AV node, and His-Purkinje system. The atrioventricular conduction interval was also prolonged in a frequency-dependent manner. In isolated hearts, HA-7 significantly raised the threshold for experimental atrial fibrillation and reduced the occurrence of reperfusion-induced ventricular fibrillation. Conventional microelectrode-recording study shows that HA-7, but not d-sotalol, prolonged the action potential duration (APD) and decreased the maximum rate of depolarization in isolated atrial strips. In ventricular papillary muscles, higher concentrations of HA-7 caused a prolongation of APD(90) in a frequency-independent manner, whereas d-sotalol exerted a reverse frequency-dependent action on this parameter. Whole-cell patch clamp results on ventricular myocytes indicate that HA-7 decreased both the slow (I(Ks)) (IC(50) = 4.8 muM) and fast component (I(Kr)) (IC(50) = 1.1 muM) of the delayed rectifier K(+) currents. Similar results could also be observed in atrial myocytes. The inward rectifier K(+) current (I(K1)) was also reduced somewhat by HA-7. HA-7 also suppressed the Na(+) inward current (I(Na)) (IC(50) = 2.9 muM) and inhibited the L-type Ca(2+) current (I(Ca)) (IC(50) = 4.0 muM, maximal inhibition = 69%) to a lesser extent. We conclude that HA-7 blocks multiple ionic currents and that these changes affect the electrophysiological properties of the conduction system as well as the myocardial tissues and may contribute to its antiarrhythmic efficacy.

The antiallergic activities of synthetic acrophylline [1] and acrophyllidine [2] have been demonstrated. Both compounds 1 and 2 at 30 mumol/kg reduced the plasma leakage in mouse ear in a passive cutaneous anaphylactic (PCA) reaction. In addition, compound 1 suppressed mast cell degranulation in a dose-dependent manner, while compound 2 at 100 microM produced no significant inhibition of the release of preformed inflammatory mediators. These results suggest that the antiallergic effect of compound 1 probably occurs through the suppression of mast cell degranulation, and that of compound 2 by protection of the vasculature against challenge by mediators of inflammation.