Novel bivalent twin-drug type hydantoin derivatives were evaluated in vitro using a human brain glioma cell line (U251) and a human carcinoma cell line (KB3-1). Among the 5-substituted hydantoin ...derivatives (1a–b and 2a–d) examined in this study, bivalent symmetrical 5-substituted hydantoin derivative 1b showed the highest anti-proliferative activity towards both U251 and KB3-1 cells. The values of anti-proliferative activity (IC50) of this hydantoin derivative against the two cell lines (U251 and KB3-1) were 0.46 and 5.21 µM, respectively. The anti-proliferative activity of all of the compounds except for compounds 2a and 2d against U251 cells was higher than that of cisplatin. Bivalent symmetrical compound 1b had a biphenylmethane linker in the molecule. All of the tested bivalent hydantoin derivatives showed higher activity against U251 cells than against KB3-1 cells. For twin-drug type hydantoin derivatives 2a–d, which have a linear methylene linker in the molecules, it was found that methylene linker length in these molecules have an effect on the anti-proliferative activity against U251 and KB3-1 cells.
Derivatives of C2-symmetrical bivalent phenylboronic acid exhibit several remarkable biological activities such as anti-herpes simplex virus (HSV)-1 and cytotoxic activities against Vero cells and ...they can reverse the effect of anticancer drugs. Novel symmetrical bivalent molecules were synthesized and their biological activities were evaluated in vitro using a human brain glioma cell line (U251) and a human carcinoma cell line (KB3-1). Among the tested compounds (1a–i), bivalent C2-symmetrical phenylboronic acid derivative 1g showed the highest anti-proliferative activity towards both U251 and KB3-1 cells. The values of 50% anti-proliferative activity (IC50) of this compound against the two cell lines (U251 and KB3-1) were 19.0 and 3.78 µM, respectively. The anti-proliferative activity of compound 1g towards KB3-1 cells was higher than that of cisplatin. The bivalent C2-symmetrical compound 1g had a linear methylene linker in the molecule.
We report the preparation of new C3- and CS-symmetrical molecules constructed on a triazine (TAZ) template. Anti-herpes simplex virus type 1 (anti-HSV-1) and cytotoxic activities against Vero cells ...of synthesized TAZ derivatives were evaluated. The results suggested that the presence of an electron-donating group(s) on the benzene ring in benzylamine groups on the TAZ template is an important structural factor for expressing a high level of anti-HSV-1 activity and low cytotoxicity for these C3 types of TAZ derivatives. Among the tested TAZ derivatives, compounds 4f and 7h showed the highest anti HSV-1 activities (EC50=0.98 and 1.23 µM, respectively) and low cytotoxic activities to Vero cells (50% cytotoxic concentration (CC50)=292.2 and >200 µM, respectively).
Dendritic cells (DCs) can initiate immune response through the presenting antigens to naïve T lymphocytes. Esculeoside A (EsA), a spirosolane glycoside, is reported as a major component in the ripe ...fruit of tomato. Little is known about the effect of tomato saponin on mice bone marrow-derived DCs. This study revealed that EsA and its aglycon, esculeogenin A (Esg-A), attenuated the phenotypic and functional maturation of murine DCs stimulated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS). We found that EsA/Esg-A down-regulated the expression of major histocompatibility complex type II molecules and costimulatory molecule CD86 after LPS stimulation. It was also determined that EsA-/Esg-A-treated DCs were poor stimulators of allogeneic T-cell proliferation and exhibited impaired interleukin-12 and TNF-α production. Additionally, EsA/Esg-A was able to inhibit TLR4-related and p-NFκB signaling pathways. This study shows new insights into the immunopharmacology of EsA/Esg-A, and represents a novel approach to controlling DCs for therapeutic application.
In recent decades, natural products have gained increasing attention as potential therapies for chronic diseases, including inflammation and cancer. Among them, a hot water extract derived from seven ...traditional Chinese herbs (Lycii fructus, Crataegi fructus, Phyllanthi fructus, Chrysanthemi flos, Coicis semen, Ganoderma lucidum, and Zizyphi fructus), referred to as LLA, has demonstrated potent antioxidative effects. In line with this, our study aimed to investigate the anti-inflammatory properties of LLA and explore its potential for cancer prevention. To evaluate the anti-inflammatory effects of LLA, we employed a dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced mouse colitis model. Daily oral administration of LLA significantly suppressed colitis symptoms, improving the disease activity index and mitigating colon tissue damage. Moreover, LLA treatment effectively inhibited the production of proinflammatory cytokines, including IL-6, TNF-α, and MCP-1. In addition to its anti-inflammatory effects, LLA exhibited remarkable efficacy in suppressing mouse colon carcinogenesis induced by azoxymethane (AOM) and DSS. Administration of LLA during the AOM/DSS treatment resulted in a significant reduction in tumor occurrence and growth, highlighting its potential as a preventive agent against colon cancer. Furthermore, we investigated the antitumor effect of LLA using a mouse sarcoma S180 solid tumor model. Although LLA did not demonstrate significant antitumor effects on established tumors, its application prior to tumor formation significantly inhibited tumor occurrence and growth. Collectively, these findings underscore the beneficial effects of LLA administration in the context of inflammatory diseases and highlight its potential as a preventive measure against cancer.
We report the preparation of new tripodal receptor-type C3- and CS-symmetrical molecules constructed on a tris(2-aminoethyl)amine (TAEA) template. Both the anti-herpes simplex virus type 1 ...(anti-HSV-1) activity and cytotoxic activity of synthesized receptor-type derivatives were evaluated in order to find a characteristic structural feature for these bioactivities of compounds. Among the compounds of synthesized symmetrical TAEA-related derivatives, compound 13k showed high anti-HSV-1 activity (50% effective concentration (EC50)=16.7 µM) and low cytotoxicity (50% cytotoxic concentration (CC50)=>200 µM). The presence of a hydrogen bond donor proton in the molecule is thought to be an important structural factor for expressing potential anti-HSV-1 activities.
We report that esculeoside A (EsA), a glycoside and a major component in ripe tomato fruit, ameliorated experimental dermatitis in mice. However, the underlying immunologic molecular mechanisms are ...unknown. The present study examined its underlying immune nutrition mechanism using concanavalin A (ConA)-blast mouse splenocyte primary culture. We found that EsA and its sapogenol esculeogenin A (Esg-A) concentration-dependently suppressed T-lymphoproliferation using CFSE-labeled flow-cytometry and water-soluble tetrazolium (WST) assay. Using ELISA and
-PCR methods, EsA/Esg-A showed profound decreases in T helper 2 (Th2)-relevant interleukin-4 (IL-4) secretion and mRNA expression, and GATA3 expression. Moreover, EsA/Esg-A suppressed CD4+ T-lymphocyte activation by decreasing IL-2 secretion and mRNA expression and CD25+ cell proportion. Further, EsA/Esg-A alleviated Treg suppressive activity by reducing IL-10 secretion, Foxp3 mRNA expression, and cell numbers. We suggest the immune nutrition function by tomato component, and highlight that EsA/Esg-A are capable of reducing CD4+ T-lymphocyte activation via a reduction in Th2-lymphocyte activity by modulation of Th2/Th1/Treg subunit differentiation.
We describe the synthesis and results of biological evaluation of newly designed 2,4,6-trisubstituted symmetrical 1,3,5-triazine (TAZ) derivatives. Among the tested trisubstituted TAZ derivatives, ...some CS-symmetrical alkoxy-amino-substituted TAZ derivatives, including 7ggp and 6dpp, showed significant antiviral activity against herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1). The compound with the highest level of antiviral activity was C3-symmetrical trialkoxy-TAZ derivative 4bbb, which showed a considerably high selectivity index (IC50/EC50=256.6). The structure–activity relationships for anti-HSV-1 activity of the tested 2,4,6-trisubstituted TAZ derivatives are also described.
The increasing incidence of atopic dermatitis during recent decades has prompted the development of safe and effective agents for prevention of atopic diseases. Esculeoside A, a glycoside of ...spirosolane type, is identified as a major component in ripe tomato fruits. The present study investigated the effects of esculeoside A and its aglycon esculeogenin A on hyaluronidase activity in vitro and antiallergy in experimental dermatitis mice. Esculeogenin A/esculeoside A (esculeogenin A equivalent) with an IC50 of about 2 μM/9 μM dose-dependently inhibited hyaluronidase activity measured by a modified Morgan–Elson method. Oral treatment with esculeoside A 10 mg/kg of experimental dermatitis mice for 4 weeks significantly decreased the skin clinical score to 2.5 without any detectable side effects compared with 6.75 of the control. The scratching frequency of esculeoside A 100 mg/kg application was decreased significantly as 107.5 times compared with 296.67 times of the control. Thus, the present study showed that esculeoside A/esculeogenin A significantly blocks hyaluronidase activity in vitro and that esculeoside A ameliorates mouse experimental dermatitis.