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Journal of Biomolecular Structure &... Jun 2023Insights into drug-DNA interactions have importance in medicinal chemistry as it has a major role in the evolution of new therapeutic drugs. Therefore, binding studies...
Insights into drug-DNA interactions have importance in medicinal chemistry as it has a major role in the evolution of new therapeutic drugs. Therefore, binding studies of small molecules with DNA are of significant interest. Spectroscopy, coupled with measurements of viscosity and molecular docking studies were employed to obtain mechanistic insights into the binding of altretamine with calf thymus DNA (CT-DNA). The UV-visible spectroscopic measurements study confirmed altretamine-CT-DNA complex formation with affinity constant ([15.68 ± 0.04] × 10 M), a value associated with groove binding phenomenon. The associated thermodynamic signatures suggest enthalpically driven interactions. The values of standard molar free energy change () -(23.93 ± 0.23) kJ mol, enthalpy change () -(50.84 ± 0.19) kJ mol and entropy change () -(90.29 ± 0.12) JK mol indicate the binding is thermodynamically favorable and an important role of the hydrogen bonds and Van der Waals interactions in the binding of altretamine with CT-DNA. Circular dichroism spectroscopy indicated insignificant conformational changes in the DNA backbone upon interaction with altretamine suggesting no distortion and/or unstacking of the base pairs in the DNA helix. UV-melting study suggested that the thermal stability of the DNA backbone is not affected by the binding of the drug. Competitive displacement assays with ethidium bromide, Hoechst-33258 and DAPI established the binding of altretamine with CT-DNA in the minor groove. The mode of binding was further confirmed by viscosity and molecular docking studies. Molecular docking further ascertained binding of altretamine in the minor groove of the CT-DNA, preferably with the A-T rich sequences.[Formula: see text]HighlightsAltretamine binds CT-DNA which is enthalpically driven with K of the order of 10Insignificant conformational change is observed due to DNA-altretamine complexationAltretamine binds favorably with A-T rich sequences in the minor groove of CT-DNAMechanistic insights obtained based on thermodynamic signaturesCommunicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.
Topics: Altretamine; Molecular Docking Simulation; DNA; Ethidium; Thermodynamics; Circular Dichroism; Spectrometry, Fluorescence; Spectrophotometry, Ultraviolet; Viscosity
PubMed: 35343872
DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2022.2054472 -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) May 20231,3,5-triazine derivatives, also called s-triazines, are a series of containing-nitrogen heterocyclic compounds that play an important role in anticancer drug design and... (Review)
Review
1,3,5-triazine derivatives, also called s-triazines, are a series of containing-nitrogen heterocyclic compounds that play an important role in anticancer drug design and development. To date, three s-triazine derivatives, including altretamine, gedatolisib, and enasidenib, have already been approved for refractory ovarian cancer, metastatic breast cancer, and leukemia therapy, respectively, demonstrating that the s-triazine core is a useful scaffold for the discovery of novel anticancer drugs. In this review, we mainly focus on s-triazines targeting topoisomerases, tyrosine kinases, phosphoinositide 3-kinases, NADP+-dependent isocitrate dehydrogenases, and cyclin-dependent kinases in diverse signaling pathways, which have been extensively studied. The medicinal chemistry of s-triazine derivatives as anticancer agents was summarized, including discovery, structure optimization, and biological applications. This review will provide a reference to inspire new and original discoveries.
Topics: Humans; Female; Triazines; Antineoplastic Agents; Drug Design; Breast Neoplasms; Structure-Activity Relationship; Drug Screening Assays, Antitumor
PubMed: 37298753
DOI: 10.3390/molecules28114278 -
Chinese Medicine Oct 2023Ferroptosis is a non-apoptotic form of regulated cell death characterized by iron-dependent lipid peroxidation. It can be triggered by various mechanisms, including the... (Review)
Review
Ferroptosis is a non-apoptotic form of regulated cell death characterized by iron-dependent lipid peroxidation. It can be triggered by various mechanisms, including the glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4)-glutathione (GSH) axis, iron metabolism, lipid metabolism, the GTP cyclohydrolase 1 (GCH1)-tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4) pathway, and the ferroptosis suppressor protein 1 (FSP1)-coenzyme Q10 axis. The redox balance is disrupted when ferroptosis occurs in cells, which is fatal to cancer cells. Additionally, some tumor-associated genes are involved in ferroptosis. Hence, targeting ferroptosis might be an effective strategy for treating cancer. Several small-molecule compounds exhibit anti-tumor effects through ferroptosis, including sorafenib and altretamine, which induce ferroptosis by inhibiting System-Xc and GPX4 respectively, but many problems, such as poor druggability, still exist. Some studies have shown that many traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) induce ferroptosis by inhibiting GPX4, solute carrier family 7 member 11 (SLC7A11), and nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (Nrf2), or by increasing the expression of Acyl-CoA synthetase long-chain family member 4 (ACSL4), transferrin (TF), and transferrin receptor 1 (TFR1). These changes can lead to the lysosomal degradation of ferritin, accumulation of iron, lipid peroxidation and the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which in turn can promote anti-tumor activities or synergistic effects with chemotherapeutic drugs. In this study, we elucidated the underlying mechanisms of ferroptosis, and the anti-tumor pharmacology of TCM targeting ferroptosis including prescriptions, Chinese herbs, extracts, and natural compounds. Our findings might act as valuable reference for research on anti-tumor drugs targeting ferroptosis, especially those drugs developed from TCM.
PubMed: 37833746
DOI: 10.1186/s13020-023-00838-1 -
International Journal of Biological... Oct 2019Binding of anticancer drug altretamine with bovine serum albumin (BSA) and its inhibitory effect on fibrillation of the protein has been studied by using a combination...
Binding of anticancer drug altretamine with bovine serum albumin (BSA) and its inhibitory effect on fibrillation of the protein has been studied by using a combination of spectroscopic and calorimetric methods. Altretamine is observed to bind with BSA with a moderate binding affinity of the order of 10, which is weakly temperature dependent. Circular dichroism, fluorescence spectroscopic and dynamic light scattering methods have been employed to monitor the conformational change in the protein. Time correlated single photon counting measurements have confirmed ground state complexation of the drug with the protein. Docking studies have led to identification of binding sites on BSA at site III in domain IB. Thioflavin T (ThT) fluorescence emission has been used as a tool to monitor the formation of fibrils/aggregates in BSA. It is observed that anticancer drug altretamine can also act as an inhibitor of fibrillation in BSA and hence can be useful in the treatment of neuro-degenerative diseases. Differential scanning calorimetry has been employed to study the thermal transitions of BSA at different stages of the fibrillation process with and without altretamine to obtain insights into the extent of stabilisation provided by the drug to the protein in native, nucleation/elongation and matured state in the fibrillation process.
Topics: Altretamine; Animals; Antineoplastic Agents; Cattle; Molecular Docking Simulation; Protein Conformation; Protein Multimerization; Serum Albumin, Bovine; Temperature
PubMed: 31323265
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2019.07.093 -
International Journal of Biological... Aug 2017Altretamine is a synthetic drug approved for treatment of ovarian cancer. The only drawback with its formulation is poor aqueous solubility and low oral bioavailability....
Altretamine is a synthetic drug approved for treatment of ovarian cancer. The only drawback with its formulation is poor aqueous solubility and low oral bioavailability. In the present work an attempt has been made to prepare inclusion complex of altretamine with epichlorohydrin beta cyclodextrin. The complexes were prepared by kneading, co-evaporation and freeze-drying method and were confirmed by FTIR, XRD, DSC, drug content and dissolution study. Kneaded complex possess maximum solubilizing efficiency of 82.63 in 25mM Epi-β-CD solution. SLNs of pure altretamine and ALT complexed with Epi-β-CD were prepared by modified emulsification-ultrasonication method. The particle size and zeta potential was found to be 151.5nm and -21.3mV. The drug release pattern of SLNs was bi-phasic in nature; with an initial burst release followed by sustained drug release. Pharmacokinetic study showed that the average C was found to be 0.94μg/ml, which was 2.47 times higher as compared to the pure drug. The AUCt for SLNs was 150minμgh/ml and 54minμgh/ml for pure ALT suspension which proved that the SLNs exhibited greater absorption compared to the pure drug. Thus, smaller particle size, higher entrapment efficiency and enhanced aqueous solubility led to improvement in oral bioavailability of ALT.
Topics: Administration, Oral; Altretamine; Animals; Biological Availability; Drug Carriers; Epichlorohydrin; Lipids; Nanoparticles; Rats; Rats, Wistar; Solubility; beta-Cyclodextrins
PubMed: 28315435
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2017.03.047 -
Expert Opinion on Therapeutic Targets Nov 2021Ferroptosis, a form of programmed cell death, is mediated primarily by lipid peroxidation via a unique iron-dependent process. The mechanisms of ferroptosis involve the...
INTRODUCTION
Ferroptosis, a form of programmed cell death, is mediated primarily by lipid peroxidation via a unique iron-dependent process. The mechanisms of ferroptosis involve the metabolisms of amino acids, irons, and lipids, and the regulation of antioxidant systems. Evidence supports the roles of ferroptosis in cancer, while metabolic reprogramming (a hallmark of cancer) renders tumor cells highly vulnerable to ferroptosis and thus provides a rationale for ferroptosis-targeted therapy for cancer.
AREA COVERED
This article examines the current understanding of the mechanisms and related signaling pathways involving ferroptosis; it focuses on novel targets in cancer and its treatment and drug resistance. The development of ferroptosis-targeted therapy, especially in combination with conventional or non-conventional therapies, are considered with dilemmas and key questions in this research area.
EXPERT OPINION
An increasing number of potential targets and ferroptosis inducers (FINs) have been identified to treat cancer. However, no specific FIN has entered clinical trials thus far, likely due to poor efficacy and high toxicity . Thus, new FINs with high selectivity and bioavailability are required to target tumor cells more specifically and potently. Particularly, the combination of FINs with chemotherapy, radiotherapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy warrants clinical investigation in the future.
Topics: Apoptosis; Ferroptosis; Humans; Immunotherapy; Neoplasms; Signal Transduction
PubMed: 34821176
DOI: 10.1080/14728222.2021.2011206 -
Artificial Cells, Nanomedicine, and... 2016The objective of the present study was to prepare solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) of altretamine (ALT) by the hot homogenization and ultrasonication method. The study...
The objective of the present study was to prepare solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) of altretamine (ALT) by the hot homogenization and ultrasonication method. The study was conducted using the Box-Behnken design (BBD), with a 3(3) design and a total of 17 experimental runs, performed in combination with response surface methodology (RSM). The SLNs were evaluated for mean particle size, entrapment efficiency, and drug-loading. The optimized formulation, with a desirability factor of 0.92, was selected and characterized. In vitro release studies showed a biphasic release pattern from the SLNs for up to 24 h. The results of % EE (93.21 ± 1.5), %DL (1.15 ± 0.6), and mean diameter of (100.6 ± 2.1) nm, were very close to the predicted values.
Topics: Altretamine; Drug Carriers; Drug Liberation; Drug Stability; Lipids; Nanoparticles; Particle Size; Surface-Active Agents; Ultrasonic Waves
PubMed: 25363752
DOI: 10.3109/21691401.2014.971462 -
Pharmaceutics Jan 2023In the current study, the combined anti-tumor efficacy of bioactive hydroxyapatite nano- particles (HA-NPs) loaded with altretamine (ALT) was evaluated. The well-known...
In the current study, the combined anti-tumor efficacy of bioactive hydroxyapatite nano- particles (HA-NPs) loaded with altretamine (ALT) was evaluated. The well-known fact that HA has great biological compatibility was confirmed through the findings of the hemolytic experiments and a maximum IC value seen in the MTT testing. The preparation of HA-NPs was performed using the chemical precipitation process. An in vitro release investigation was conducted, and the results demonstrated the sustained drug release of the altretamine-loaded hydroxyapatite nanoparticles (ALT-HA-NPs). Studies using the JURKAT E6.1 cell lines MTT assay, and cell uptake, as well as in vivo pharmacokinetic tests using Wistar rats demonstrated that the ALT-HA-NPs were easily absorbed by the cells. A putative synergism between the action of the Ca ions and the anticancer drug obtained from the carrier was indicated by the fact that the ALT-HA-NPs displayed cytotoxicity comparable to the free ALT at 1/10th of the ALT concentration. It has been suggested that a rise in intracellular Ca ions causes cells to undergo apoptosis. Ehrlich's ascites model in Balb/c mice showed comparable synergistic efficacy in a tumor regression trial. While the ALT-HA-NPs were able to shrink the tumor size by six times, the free ALT was only able to reduce the tumor volume by half.
PubMed: 36678930
DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15010302 -
Acta Crystallographica. Section C,... Oct 2020The present work utilizes density functional theory (DFT) calculations to study the influence of cation-π interactions on the electronic properties of the complexes...
The present work utilizes density functional theory (DFT) calculations to study the influence of cation-π interactions on the electronic properties of the complexes formed by Altretamine [2,4,6-tris(dimethylamino)-1,3,5-triazine], an anticancer drug, with mono- and divalent (Li, Na, K, Be, Mg and Ca) metal cations. The structures were optimized with the M06-2X method and the 6-311++G(d,p) basis set in the gas phase and in solution. The theory of `Atoms in Molecules' (AIM) was applied to study the nature of the interactions by calculating the electron density ρ(r) and its Laplacian at the bond critical points. The charge-transfer process during complexation was evaluated using natural bond orbital (NBO) analysis. The results of DFT calculations demonstrate that the strongest/weakest interactions belong to Be/K complexes. There are good correlations between the achieved densities and the amounts of charge transfer with the interaction energies. Finally, the stability and reactivity of the cation-π interactions can be determined by quantum chemical computation based on the molecular orbital (MO) theory.
Topics: Altretamine; Antineoplastic Agents; Cations; Coordination Complexes; Crystallography, X-Ray; Electronics; Hydrogen Bonding; Lithium; Metals; Quantum Theory; Sodium
PubMed: 33016269
DOI: 10.1107/S2053229620012589