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Gordana Tovilovic,
Nevena Zogovic,
Ljubica Harhaji-Trajkovic,
Maja Misirkic-Marjanovic,
Kristina Janjetovic,
Ljubica Vucicevic,
Sladjana Kostic-Rajacic,
Andre Schrattenholz, Aleksandra Isakovic,
Vukic Soskic,
Vladimir Trajkovic
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ABSTRACT: The protective ability of novel arylpiperazine-based dopaminergic ligands against nitric oxide (NO)-mediated neurotoxicity is investigated. The most potent neuroprotective arylpiperazine identified during the study was N-{4-[2-(4-phenyl-piperazin-1-yl)ethyl]-phenyl}picolinamide, which protected SH-SY5Y human neuron-like cells from the proapoptotic effect of NO donor sodium nitroprusside (SNP) by decreasing oxidative stress, mitochondrial membrane depolarization, caspase activation and subsequent phosphatydilserine externalization/DNA fragmentation. The protective effect was associated with the inhibition of proapoptotic (JNK, ERK, AMPK) and activation of antiapoptotic (Akt) signaling pathways, in the absence of interference with intracellular NO accumulation. The neuroprotective action of arylpiperazines was shown to be independent of dopamine receptor binding, as it was not affected by the high-affinity D₁/D₂ receptor blocker butaclamol. These results reported support the further study of arylpiperazines as potential neuroprotective agents.
ChemMedChem 03/2012; 7(3):495-508. · 3.15 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Sideritis scardica Griseb. (ironwort, mountain tea), an endemic plant of the Balkan Peninsula, has been used in traditional medicine in the treatment of gastrointestinal complaints, inflammation, and rheumatic disorders. This study aimed to evaluate its gastroprotective and anti-inflammatory activities. Besides, continuously increasing interest in assessing the role of the plant active constituents preventing the risk of cancer was a reason to make a detailed examination of the investigated ethanol, diethyl ether, ethyl acetate, and N-butanol extracts regarding cytotoxicity. Oral administration of the investigated extracts caused a dose-dependent anti-inflammatory effect in a model of carrageenan-induced rat paw edema. Gastroprotective activity of the extracts was investigated using an ethanol-induced acute stress ulcer in rats. The cytotoxic activity of plant extracts was assessed on PBMC, B16, and HL-60 cells and compared to the cytotoxicity of phenolic compounds identified in extracts. Apoptotic and necrotic cell death were analyzed by double staining with fluoresceinisothiocyanate (FITC)-conjugated annexin V and PI. The developed HPLC method enabled qualitative fingerprint analysis of phenolic compounds in the investigated extracts. Compared to the effect of the positive control, the anti-inflammatory drug indomethacine (4 mg/kg), which produced a 50 % decrease in inflammation, diethyl ether and N-butanol extracts exhibited about the same effect in doses of 200 and 100 mg/kg (53.6 and 48.7 %; 48.4 and 49.9 %, respectively). All investigated extracts produced dose-dependent gastroprotective activity with the efficacy comparable to that of the reference drug ranitidine. The diethyl ether extract showed significant dose-dependent cytotoxicity on B16 cells and HL-60 cells, decreasing cell growth to 51.3 % and 77.5 % of control, respectively, when used at 100 µg/mL. It seems that phenolic compounds (apigenin, luteolin, and their corresponding glycosides) are responsible for the diethyl ether extract cytotoxic effect. It also appears that induction of oxidative stress might be involved in its cytotoxicity, since B16 and HL-60 cells increased their ROS production in response to treatment with diethyl ether extract. Neither of the tested extracts nor any phenolic compounds showed significant cytotoxic effect to human PBMC. These results demonstrated the potent anti-inflammatory and gastroprotective activities, as well as the promising cytotoxicity.
Planta Medica 01/2012; 78(5):415-27. · 2.15 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: We investigated the influence of adenosine on inducible nitric oxide (NO) synthase (iNOS)-dependent NO synthesis and viability of cytokine-treated C6 rat glioma cells. Adenosine significantly inhibited interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma)+interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta)-induced synthesis of iNOS mRNA/protein and subsequent production of NO in C6 cells. The uptake of adenosine into glioma cells was not required for the suppression of iNOS induction, as confirmed by the inability of the adenosine transport blocker nitrobenzylthyoinosine to block the observed effect. Adenosine also blocked the IFN-gamma+IL-1beta-triggered expression of mRNA for the proinflammatory cytokine TNF-alpha, while it significantly enhanced the accumulation of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) mRNA in glioma cells. However, blockade of TNF-alpha action and COX-2 activity with anti-TNF-alpha antibodies and indomethacin, respectively, revealed that modulation of TNF-alpha and COX-2 was not involved in adenosine-mediated iNOS suppression. Adenosine significantly inhibited cytokine-induced activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) family members p38 MAPK, p42/44 MAPK and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) in C6 cells. The levels of transcription factors IRF-1 and c-Fos, as well as the phosphorylation of c-Jun were also reduced in adenosine-treated C6 cells, while the activation of NF-kappaB was enhanced via increased phosphorylation of its inhibitory unit IkappaB. Importantly, adenosine-mediated suppression of NO release rescued glioma cells from NO-dependent cytokine cytotoxicity. These data suggest a possible role for adenosine-mediated inhibition of glial NO synthesis in regulation of the inflammatory CNS damage and brain cancer progression.
European Journal of Pharmacology 07/2008; 591(1-3):106-13. · 2.52 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: The present study identifies xanthones gentiakochianin and gentiacaulein as the active principles responsible for the in vitro antiglioma action of ether and methanolic extracts of the plant Gentiana kochiana. Gentiakochianin and gentiacaulein induced cell cycle arrest in G(2)/M and G(0)/G(1) phases, respectively, in both C6 rat glioma and U251 human glioma cell lines. The more efficient antiproliferative action of gentiakochianin was associated with its ability to induce microtubule stabilization in a cell-free assay. Both the xanthones reduced mitochondrial membrane potential and increased the production of reactive oxygen species in glioma cells, but only the effects of gentiakochianin were pronounced enough to cause caspase activation and subsequent apoptotic cell death. The assessment of structure-activity relationship in a series of structurally related xanthones from G. kochiana and Gentianella austriaca revealed dihydroxylation at positions 7, 8 of the xanthonic nucleus as the key structural feature responsible for the ability of gentiakochianin to induce microtubule-associated G(2)/M cell block and apoptotic cell death in glioma cells.
Bioorganic & medicinal chemistry 06/2008; 16(10):5683-94. · 2.82 Impact Factor
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Zoran Markovic,
Biljana Todorovic-Markovic,
Duska Kleut,
Nadezda Nikolic,
Sanja Vranjes-Djuric,
Maja Misirkic,
Ljubica Vucicevic,
Kristina Janjetovic, Aleksandra Isakovic,
Ljubica Harhaji,
Branka Babic-Stojic,
Miroslav Dramicanin,
Vladimir Trajkovic
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ABSTRACT: Because of the ability to induce cell death in certain conditions, the fullerenes (C(60)) are potential anticancer and toxic agents. The colloidal suspension of crystalline C(60) (nano-C(60), nC(60)) is extremely toxic, but the mechanisms of its cytotoxicity are not completely understood. By combining experimental analysis and mathematical modelling, we investigate the requirements for the reactive oxygen species (ROS)-mediated cytotoxicity of different nC(60) suspensions, prepared by solvent exchange method in tetrahydrofuran (THF/nC(60)) and ethanol (EtOH/nC(60)), or by extended mixing in water (aqu/nC(60)). With regard to their capacity to generate ROS and cause mitochondrial depolarization followed by necrotic cell death, the nC(60) suspensions are ranked in the following order: THF/nC(60)>EtOH/nC(60)>aqu/nC(60). Mathematical modelling of singlet oxygen ((1)O(2)) generation indicates that the (1)O(2)-quenching power (THF/nC(60)<EtOH/nC(60)<aqu/nC(60)) of the solvent intercalated in the fullerene crystals determines their ability to produce ROS and cause cell damage. These data could have important implications for toxicology and biomedical application of colloidal fullerenes.
Biomaterials 01/2008; 28(36):5437-48. · 7.40 Impact Factor
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Ljubica Harhaji, Aleksandra Isakovic,
Ljubica Vucicevic,
Kristina Janjetovic,
Maja Misirkic,
Zoran Markovic,
Biljana Todorovic-Markovic,
Nadezda Nikolic,
Sanja Vranjes-Djuric,
Zoran Nikolic,
Vladimir Trajkovic
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ABSTRACT: PurposE: The fullerene (C60/C70 mixture-C60/70) nanocrystalline suspension prepared by solvent exchange method using tetrahydrofyran (THF/nC60/70) and polyhydroxylated C60/70 [C60/70(OH)n] were compared for their ability to modulate cytotoxicity of the proinflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor (TNF).
TNF-induced cytotoxicity was assessed in L929 fibrosarcoma cells by crystal violet assay. The type of cell death (apoptosis/necrosis), production of reactive oxygen species, mitochondrial depolarization and caspase activation were determined by flow cytometry using the appropriate reporter dyes.
THF/nC60/70 augmented, while C60/70(OH)n reduced the cytotoxicity of TNF. The numbers of cells undergoing apoptosis/necrosis, as well as of those displaying the activation of apoptosis-inducing enzymes of caspase family, were respectively increased or reduced by THF/nC60/70 or C60/70(OH)n. The antioxidant N-acetylcysteine and mitochondrial permeability transition inhibitor cyclosporin A each partly blocked the cytotoxic action of TNF, indicating the involvement of oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction in the TNF cytotoxicity. Accordingly, THF/nC60/70 or C60/70(OH)n potentiated or suppressed, respectively, TNF-triggered oxidative stress and mitochondrial depolarization.
The ability of different fullerene preparations to modulate TNF-induced oxidative stress and subsequent cell death suggests their potential value in the TNF-based cancer therapy or prevention of TNF-dependent tissue damage.
Pharmaceutical Research 12/2007; 25(6):1365-76. · 4.09 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Using the rat glioma cell line C6 and the human glioma cell line U251, we demonstrate the multiple mechanisms underlying the in vitro anticancer effects of the C(60) fullerene water suspension (nano-C(60) or nC(60)) produced by solvent exchange method. Nano-C(60) in a dose-dependent manner reduced the tumor cell numbers after 24 h of incubation. The observed antiglioma action of nC(60) at high concentration (1 microg/ml) was due to a reactive oxygen species-mediated necrotic cell damage that was partly dependent on oxidative stress-induced activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK). On the other hand, low-dose nC(60) (0.25 microg/ml) did not induce either necrotic or apoptotic cell death, but caused oxidative stress/ERK-independent cell cycle block in G(2)/M phase and subsequent inhibition of tumor cell proliferation. Treatment with either high-dose or low-dose nC(60) caused the appearance of acidified intracytoplasmic vesicles indicative of autophagy, but only the antiglioma effect of low-dose nC(60) was significantly attenuated by inhibiting autophagy with bafilomycin A1. Importantly, primary rat astrocytes were less sensitive than their transformed counterparts to a cytostatic action of low-dose nC(60). These data provide grounds for further development of nC(60) as an anticancer agent.
European Journal of Pharmacology 08/2007; 568(1-3):89-98. · 2.52 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: We demonstrate the capacity of an herbal anthraquinone aloe emodin to reduce the cytotoxicity of the proinflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor (TNF) towards L929 mouse fibrosarcoma and U251 human glioma cell lines. Aloe emodin inhibited both TNF-induced cell necrosis and apoptosis, but it did not reduce cell death induced by UV radiation or hydrogen peroxide. Aloe emodin inhibited both basal and TNF-triggered activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), and a selective blockade of ERK activation mimicked the cytoprotective action of the drug. On the other hand, aloe emodin did not affect TNF-induced activation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase or generation of reactive oxygen species. The combination of aloe emodin and TNF caused an intracellular appearance of acidified autophagic vesicles, and the inhibition of autophagy with bafilomycin or 3-methyladenine efficiently blocked the cytoprotective action of aloe emodin. These data indicate that aloe emodin could prevent TNF-triggered cell death through mechanisms involving induction of autophagy and blockade of ERK activation.
European Journal of Pharmacology 08/2007; 568(1-3):248-59. · 2.52 Impact Factor
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Aleksandra Isakovic,
Zoran Markovic,
Nadezda Nikolic,
Biljana Todorovic-Markovic,
Sanja Vranjes-Djuric,
Ljubica Harhaji,
Nevena Raicevic,
Nebojsa Romcevic,
Dana Vasiljevic-Radovic,
Miroslav Dramicanin,
Vladimir Trajkovic
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ABSTRACT: We investigated the effect of gamma-irradiation on the cytotoxicity of pure C60 solubilized in water by using tetrahydrofuran (THF/n-C60 or THF/n-C60). In contrast to THF/n-C60, its gamma-irradiated counterpart failed to generate oxygen radicals and cause extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)-dependent necrotic cell death in various types of mammalian cells. Moreover, gamma-irradiated THF/n-C60 protected cells from the oxidative stress induced by native THF/n-C60 or hydrogen peroxide. The observed biological effects were associated with gamma-irradiation-mediated decomposition of THF and subsequent derivatization of the n-C60 surface. These results for the first time demonstrate gamma-irradiation-mediated changes in the physico-chemical properties of THF-prepared nanocrystalline C60, resulting in a complete loss of its cytotoxic effect and its conversion to a cytoprotective agent.
Biomaterials 11/2006; 27(29):5049-58. · 7.40 Impact Factor
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Aleksandra Isakovic,
Zoran Markovic,
Biljana Todorovic-Markovic,
Nadezda Nikolic,
Sanja Vranjes-Djuric,
Marija Mirkovic,
Miroslav Dramicanin,
Ljubica Harhaji,
Nevena Raicevic,
Zoran Nikolic,
Vladimir Trajkovic
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ABSTRACT: The mechanisms underlying the cytotoxic action of pure fullerene suspension (nano-C60) and water-soluble polyhydroxylated fullerene [C60(OH)n] were investigated. Crystal violet assay for cell viability demonstrated that nano-C60 was at least three orders of magnitude more toxic than C60(OH)n to mouse L929 fibrosarcoma, rat C6 glioma, and U251 human glioma cell lines. Flow cytometry analysis of cells stained with propidium iodide (PI), PI/annexin V-fluorescein isothiocyanate, or the redox-sensitive dye dihydrorhodamine revealed that nano-C60 caused rapid (observable after few hours), reactive oxygen species (ROS)-associated necrosis characterized by cell membrane damage without DNA fragmentation. In contrast, C60(OH)n caused delayed, ROS-independent cell death with characteristics of apoptosis, including DNA fragmentation and loss of cell membrane asymmetry in the absence of increased permeability. Accordingly, the antioxidant N-acetylcysteine protected the cell lines from nano-C60 toxicity, but not C60(OH)n toxicity, while the pan-caspase inhibitor z-VAD-fmk blocked C60(OH)n-induced apoptosis, but not nano-C60-mediated necrosis. Finally, C60(OH)n antagonized, while nano-C60 synergized with, the cytotoxic action of oxidative stress-inducing agents hydrogen peroxide and peroxynitrite donor 3-morpholinosydnonimine. Therefore, unlike polyhydroxylated C60 that exerts mainly antioxidant/cytoprotective and only mild ROS-independent pro-apoptotic activity, pure crystalline C60 seems to be endowed with strong pro-oxidant capacity responsible for the rapid necrotic cell death.
Toxicological Sciences 06/2006; 91(1):173-83. · 4.65 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: The influence of environmental pH on the production of tumoricidal free radical nitric oxide (NO) was investigated in mouse fibrosarcoma L929 and rat glioma C6 cell lines. A combination of IFN-gamma and IL-1 induced a significant NO release and subsequent reduction of cell viability in tumor cell lines. Acidification of cell culture medium reduced tumor cell NO production in a pH-dependent manner. While the inhibitory effect of acidosis on NO production in C6 cells was associated with a further decrease in cell viability, it completely rescued L929 cells from NO-dependent apoptotic and necrotic death. Acidic pH diminished IFN-gamma+ IL-1-induced expression of inducible NO synthase (iNOS) mRNA and protein, and abolished the activation of iNOS transcription factor IRF-1 in L929 cells. Moreover, extracellular acidosis significantly impaired cytokine-induced phosphorylation of MAP kinase p44/42 (ERK1/2) and subsequent expression of transcription factor c-Fos in L929 cells. Finally, mild acidosis (pH 6.8) augmented, while severe acidosis (pH 6.0) reduced, IFN-gamma-induced iNOS activation/NO release and NO-dependent anticancer activity of rat and mouse macrophages. Taken together, our findings indicate that modulation of macrophage and tumor cell iNOS by an acidic microenvironment might influence the progression of NO-sensitive solid tumors.
Free Radical Biology and Medicine 02/2006; 40(2):226-35. · 5.42 Impact Factor
