Molecular targets of nitric-oxide-donating aspirin in cancer

2005 ◽  
Vol 33 (4) ◽  
pp. 701-704 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Kashfi ◽  
B. Rigas

Nitric-oxide-donating aspirin (NO-ASA), consisting of ASA (aspirin) plus an -ONO2 moiety linked to it via a molecular spacer, is a new drug for cancer prevention. NO-ASA seems to overcome the low potency and toxicity of traditional ASA. The -ONO2 moiety is responsible for releasing NO, and it appears to be required for biological activity. In studies in vitro, NO-ASA inhibits the growth of colon, pancreatic, prostate, lung, skin, leukaemia and breast cancer cells, and is up to 6000-fold more potent than traditional ASA. This effect is owing to cell kinetics [inhibition of proliferation, induction of apoptosis (multiple criteria) and blocking the G1 to S cell-cycle transition] and cell signalling [inhibition of Wnt signalling (IC50=0.2 μM), inhibition of NF-κB (nuclear factor κB) activation (IC50=7.5 μM), inhibition of nitric oxide synthase-2 expression (IC50=48 μM), inhibition of MAPK (mitogen-activated protein kinase) signalling (IC50=10 μM) and induction of cyclo-oxygenase-2 at approx. 10 μM]. In studies in vivo, NO-ASA inhibits intestinal carcinogenesis in Min mice (tumour multiplicity was reduced by 59% after 3 weeks, with no effect in control animals and no side effects) and in the N-nitrosobis(2-oxopropyl)amine model of pancreatic cancer, where there was an 89% reduction in NO-ASA (3000 p.p.m. in the diet)-treated animals (P<0.001). There was no statistically significant effect by traditional ASA at equimolar doses. Our data indicate that NO-ASA is a highly promising agent for the prevention and/or treatment of cancer.

2000 ◽  
Vol 28 (2) ◽  
pp. 7-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. M. Manson ◽  
K. A. Holloway ◽  
L. M. Howells ◽  
E. A. Hudson ◽  
S. M. Plummer ◽  
...  

For a disease such as cancer, where a number of alterations to normal cell function accumulate over time, there are several opportunities to inhibit, slow down or even reverse the process. Many of the changes which drive the disease process occur in cell-signalling pathways that regulate proliferation and apoptosis. As our knowledge of these complicated signalling networks improves, it is becoming clear that many molecules, both drugs and naturally occurring dietary constituents, can interact beneficially with deregulated pathways. Aspirin and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, as well as natural compounds present in plants such as green vegetables and tea, can modulate signalling by affecting kinase activity and therefore phosphorylation of key molecules. Examples of pathways which can be modulated by these agents include activation of the transcription factor nuclear factor κB by tumour promoters or cytokines, signalling by growth factors through the growth-factor receptor/extracellular-regulated protein kinase pathways and by a number of other molecules through the stress-activated c-Jun N-terminal kinase and p38 pathways. These mitogen-activated protein kinase pathways regulate a number of transcription factors including c-Fos and c-Jun. Evidence exists, at least from in vitro experiments, that by targeting such pathways, certain dietary compounds may be able to restore abnormal rates of apoptosis and proliferation to more normal levels.


2007 ◽  
Vol 35 (2) ◽  
pp. 288-291 ◽  
Author(s):  
A.G. Rossi ◽  
J.M. Hallett ◽  
D.A. Sawatzky ◽  
M.M. Teixeira ◽  
C. Haslett

Apoptosis of granulocytes and the subsequent clearance of apoptotic cells are important processes for the successful resolution of inflammation. Signalling pathways, including those involving NF-κB (nuclear factor κB), MAPK (mitogen-activated protein kinase) and PI3K (phosphoinositide 3-kinase) have been shown to be key regulators of inflammatory cell survival and apoptosis in vitro. In addition, manipulation of such pathways in vivo has indicated that they also play a role in the resolution of inflammation. Furthermore, manipulation of proteins directly involved in the control of apoptosis, such as Bcl-2 family members and caspases, can be targeted in vivo to influence inflammatory resolution. Recently, it has been shown that CDK (cyclin-dependent kinase) inhibitor drugs induce caspase-dependent human neutrophil apoptosis possibly by altering levels of the anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 family member, Mcl-1. Importantly, CDK inhibitor drugs augment the resolution of established ‘neutrophil-dominant’ inflammation by promoting apoptosis of neutrophils. Thus manipulation of apoptotic pathways, together with ensuring macrophage clearance of apoptotic cells, appears to be a viable pharmacological target for reducing established inflammation.


2016 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Miao Li ◽  
Jinli Wang ◽  
Yimin Fang ◽  
Sitang Gong ◽  
Meiyu Li ◽  
...  

Abstract Macrophages play a crucial role in host innate anti-mycobacterial defense, which is tightly regulated by multiple factors, including microRNAs. Our previous study showed that a panel of microRNAs was markedly up-regulated in macrophages upon mycobacterial infection. Here, we investigated the biological function of miR-146a during mycobacterial infection. miR-146a expression was induced both in vitro and in vivo after Mycobacterium bovis BCG infection. The inducible miR-146a could suppress the inducible nitric oxide (NO) synthase (iNOS) expression and NO generation, thus promoting mycobacterial survival in macrophages. Inhibition of endogenous miR-146a increased NO production and mycobacterial clearance. Moreover, miR-146a attenuated the activation of nuclear factor κB and mitogen-activated protein kinases signaling pathways during BCG infection, which in turn repressed iNOS expression. Mechanistically, miR-146a directly targeted tumor necrosis factor (TNF) receptor-associated factor 6 (TRAF6) at post-transcriptional level. Silencing TRAF6 decreased iNOS expression and NO production in BCG-infected macrophages, while overexpression of TRAF6 reversed miR-146a-mediated inhibition of NO production and clearance of mycobacteria. Therefore, we demonstrated a novel role of miR-146a in the modulation of host defense against mycobacterial infection by repressing NO production via targeting TRAF6, which may provide a promising therapeutic target for tuberculosis.


2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (11) ◽  
pp. 1934578X2096786
Author(s):  
Jieun Choi ◽  
Young Yun Jung ◽  
In Jin Ha ◽  
Seung Ho Baek ◽  
Zhiyun Zhang ◽  
...  

The in vitro anti-inflammatory and skin moisturizing activities of Pilea martini (Levl.) Hand.-Mazz. were investigated on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophages and human immortalized keratinocytes. Chromatographic analysis was performed to identify the chemical composition of the extracts. Pilea martini extracts significantly suppressed LPS-induced nitric oxide, prostaglandin E2, interleukin 6, and tumor necrosis factor α production in dose-dependent manners. In addition, the extracts inhibited LPS-induced inducible nitric oxide synthase and cyclooxygenase-2 proteins and their mRNA expression through causing a downregulation of nuclear factor-κB, activator protein 1, and mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling cascades. The extracts increased the production of hyaluronic acid levels and enhanced the expression levels of both filaggrin and serine palmitoyltransferase regulation. Liquid chromatography-mass spectroscopy analysis showed that the extracts contained 6 different compounds (malic acid, tryptophan, chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, p-coumaric acid, and isoquercetin) that may contribute to their bioactivities. Taken together, Pilea martini extract showed remarkable promise as an anti-inflammatory and moisturizing agent.


2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hsueh-Ling Cheng ◽  
Nurkholis ◽  
Shi-Yie Cheng ◽  
Shen-Da Huang ◽  
Yan-Ting Lu ◽  
...  

Fatsia polycarpa, a plant endemic to Taiwan, is an herbal medicine known for treating several inflammation-related diseases, but its biological function needs scientific support. Thus, the anti-inflammatory effects and mechanisms of the methanolic crude extract (MCE) ofF. polycarpaand its feature constituents, that is, brassicasterol (a phytosterol), triterpenoids 3α-hydroxyolean-11,13(18)-dien-28-oic acid (HODA), 3α-hydroxyolean-11-en-28,13β-olide (HOEO), fatsicarpain D, and fatsicarpain F, were investigated. MCE and HOEO, but not brassicasterol, dose-dependently inhibited lipopolysaccharide- (LPS-)induced expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase and cyclooxygenase-2 in RAW 264.7 macrophage line, whereas HODA, fatsicarpain D and fatsicarpain F were toxic to RAW cells. Additionally, MCE and HOEO suppressed LPS-induced production of nitric oxide, prostaglandin E2, and interleukin-1βand interfered with LPS-promoted activation of the inhibitor kappa B kinase (IKK)/nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) pathway, and that of the mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) extracellular signal regulated kinase (ERK), c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), and p38. In animal tests, MCE and HOEO effectively ameliorated 12-O-tetradecanoylphorobol-13 acetate- (TPA-)induced ear edema of mice. Thus, MCE ofF. polycarpaexhibited an obvious anti-inflammatory activityin vivoandin vitrothat likely involved the inhibition of the IKK/NF-κB pathway and the MAPKs, which may be attributed by triterpenoids such as HOEO.


Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (10) ◽  
pp. 3537
Author(s):  
Goeun Jang ◽  
Seulah Lee ◽  
Joonho Hong ◽  
Boram Park ◽  
Dokyung Kim ◽  
...  

Anti-inflammatory agents that are safer and more effective than the currently used non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are urgently needed. The dicaffeoylquinic acid (diCQA) isomer 4,5-diCQA exhibits antioxidant activity and various other health-promoting benefits; however, its anti-inflammatory properties require further investigation. This study was conducted to evaluate the anti-inflammatory properties of 4,5-diCQA in vitro and in vivo using RAW264.7 cells and a carrageenan-induced inflammation model, respectively. In RAW264.7 cells, 4,5-diCQA pretreatment significantly inhibited lipopolysaccharide-induced expression of nitric oxide, prostaglandin E2, nitric oxide synthase, cyclooxygenase-2, tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-1β, and interleukin-6, without inducing cytotoxicity. The inhibitory effects of 4,5-diCQA were mediated by the suppression of nuclear factor-κB nuclear translocation and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) phosphorylation. Oral administration of 4,5-diCQA at doses of 5, 10, and 20 mg/kg of the body weight suppressed carrageenan-induced edema and the expression of nitric oxide synthase, cyclooxygenase-2, and tumor necrosis factor-α in a dose-dependent manner. Collectively, our results suggest that 4,5-diCQA exerts anti-inflammatory effects by suppressing activation of the nuclear factor-κB and MAPK pathways in vitro and reducing carrageenan-induced edema in vivo. Therefore, 4,5-diCQA shows potential as a natural alternative to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.


2018 ◽  
Vol 60 (No. 8) ◽  
pp. 359-366
Author(s):  
J. Li ◽  
B. Shi ◽  
S. Yan ◽  
L. Jin ◽  
Y. Guo ◽  
...  

The effects of chitosan on nitric oxide (NO) production and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) activity and gene expression in vivo or vitro were investigated in weaned piglets. In vivo, 180 weaned piglets were assigned to five dietary treatments with six replicates. The piglets were fed on a basal diet supplemented with 0 (control), 100, 500, 1000, and 2000 mg chitosan/kg feed, respectively. In vitro, the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from a weaned piglet were cultured respectively with 0 (control), 40, 80, 160, and 320 &micro;g chitosan/ml medium. Results showed that serum NO concentrations on days 14 and 28 and iNOS activity on day 28 were quadratically improved with increasing chitosan dose (P &lt; 0.05). The iNOS mRNA expressions were linearly or quadratically enhanced in the duodenum on day 28, and were improved quadratically in the jejunum on days 14 and 28 and in the ileum on day 28 (P &lt; 0.01). In vitro, the NO concentrations, iNOS activity, and mRNA expression in unstimulated PBMCs were quadratically enhanced by chitosan, but the improvement of NO concentrations and iNOS activity by chitosan were markedly inhibited by N-(3-[aminomethyl] benzyl) acetamidine (1400w) (P&nbsp;&lt; 0.05). Moreover, the increase of NO concentrations, iNOS activity, and mRNA expression in PBMCs induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) were suppressed significantly by chitosan (P &lt; 0.05). The results indicated that the NO concentrations, iNOS activity, and mRNA expression in piglets were increased by feeding chitosan in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, chitosan improved the NO production in unstimulated PBMCs but inhibited its production in LPS-induced cells, which exerted bidirectional regulatory effects on the NO production via modulated iNOS activity and mRNA expression.


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