Search results for " cytotoxic"

New oxidative derivatives of atractyligenin and their cytotoxic activity

2006

ent-Kauranes are naturally occurring diterpenoids isolated from several families, such as Asteraceae and Lamiaceae. These compounds have attracted interest because of their structures and their biological activities as anti-tumorals, anti-HIV and anti-bacterials [1]. Extensive chemical work [2] was carried out on the structure of atractyligenin, the nor-diterpene aglycone of the glucoside atractyloside, occurring, together with its diterpene homologous carboxy-atractyloside, in the root of Atractylis gummifera L. (Compositae). The interest for these compounds was stimulated by the high toxicity [3] of both glucosides, responsible of many deadly poisoning in past time. Due to the 15-hydroxyl…

DNA-binding and in vitro cytotoxic activity of platinum(II) complexes of curcumin and caffeine

2019

Abstract Three Pt(II) complexes containing the natural ligands curcumin and caffeine, namely [Pt(curc)(PPh3)2]Cl (1), [PtCl(curc)(DMSO)] (2) (curc = deprotonated curcumin) and trans-[Pt(caffeine)Cl2(DMSO)] (3), were synthesized and fully characterized. The data obtained suggest that, for both 1 and 2, the anion of curcumin is coordinated to the platinum ion via the oxygen atoms of the β-diketonate moiety. Spectroscopic features reveal that in 2 and 3, a DMSO molecule is S-bonded to the metal centre. For 3, all data indicate a square-planar geometry formed by a 9-N bonded caffeine, two trans chloride anions and a DMSO. The three complexes undergo changes in solution upon incubation for 24 h;…

Polynuclear complexes of Pt(II) with polypyridyl ligands.II.Synthesis, spectroscopic and structural characterization and cytotoxic activity

2007

Zn-Enhanced Asp-Rich Antimicrobial Peptides N-Terminal Coordination by Zn(II) and Cu(II), Which Distinguishes Cu(II) Binding to Different Peptides

2021

The antimicrobial activity of surfactant-associated anionic peptides (SAAPs), which are isolated from the ovine pulmonary surfactant and are selective against the ovine pathogen Mannheimia haemolytica, is strongly enhanced in the presence of Zn(II) ions. Both calorimetry and ITC measurements show that the unique Asp-only peptide SAAP3 (DDDDDDD) and its analogs SAAP2 (GDDDDDD) and SAAP6 (GADDDDD) have a similar micromolar affinity for Zn(II), which binds to the N-terminal amine and Asp carboxylates in a net entropically-driven process. All three peptides also bind Cu(II) with a net entropically-driven process but with higher affinity than they bind Zn(II) and coordination that involves the N…

A lipocentric view of peptide-induced pores

2010

Although lipid membranes serve as effective sealing barriers for the passage of most polar solutes, nonmediated leakage is not completely improbable. A high activation energy normally keeps unassisted bilayer permeation at a very low frequency, but lipids are able to self-organize as pores even in peptide-free and protein-free membranes. The probability of leakage phenomena increases under conditions such as phase coexistence, external stress or perturbation associated to binding of nonlipidic molecules. Here, we argue that pore formation can be viewed as an intrinsic property of lipid bilayers, with strong similarities in the structure and mechanism between pores formed with participation …

Functional size of complement and perforin pores compared by confocal laser scanning microscopy and fluorescence microphotolysis

1991

Abstract Confocal laser scanning microscopy and fluorescence microphotolysis (also referred to as fluorescence photobleaching recovery) were employed to study the transport of hydrophilic fluorescent tracers through complement and perforin pores. By optimizing the confocal effect it was possible to determine the exclusion limit of the pores in situ, i.e. without separation of cells and tracer solution. Single-cell flux measurements by fluorescence microphotolysis yielded information on the sample population distribution of flux rates. By these means a direct comparison of complement and perforin pores was made in sheep erythrocyte membranes. In accordance with previous studies employing a v…

Pore-forming toxins activate MAPK p38 by causing loss of cellular potassium.

2009

Mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) p38 has emerged as a survival protein in cells that are attacked by bacterial toxins forming small membrane pores. Activation of p38 by pore forming toxins (PFT) has been attributed to osmotic stress, but here we show that loss of K+ is likely to be the critical parameter. Several lines of evidence support this conclusion: first, osmoprotection did not prevent p38-phosphorylation in alpha-toxin-loaded cells. Second, treatment of cells with a K+ ionophore, or simple incubation in K+-free medium sufficed to cause robust p38-phosphorylation. Third, media containing high [K+] prevented p38-activation by Staphylococcus aureus alpha-toxin, Vibrio cholerae c…

Pore formation by Vibrio cholerae cytolysin requires cholesterol in both monolayers of the target membrane

2007

Vibrio cholerae cytolysin (VCC) forms oligomeric transmembrane pores in cholesterol-rich membranes. To better understand this process, we used planar bilayer membranes. In symmetric membranes, the rate of the channel formation by VCC has a superlinear dependency on the cholesterol membrane fraction. Thus, more than one cholesterol molecule can facilitate VCC-pore formation. In asymmetric membranes, the rate of pore formation is limited by the leaflet with the lower cholesterol content. Methyl-beta-cyclodextrin, which removes cholesterol from membranes, rapidly inhibits VCC pore formation, even when it is added to the side opposite that of VCC addition. The results suggest that cholesterol i…

EFFECT OF EXTRACTS FROM LEAVES AND RHIZOMES OF THE SEAGRASS POSIDONIA OCEANICA ON HEPG2 HEPATOCARCINOMA (HCC) CELLS

2022

Tributyltin(IV) ferulate, a novel synthetic ferulic acid derivative, induces autophagic cell death in colon cancer cells: From chemical synthesis to …

2020

Ferulic acid (FA) is a natural phenolic phytochemical that has low toxicity and exhibits therapeutic effects against various diseases, behaving as an antioxidant. FA also displays modest antitumor properties that have been reported at relatively high concentrations. With the aim of improving the anti-tumor efficacy of FA, we synthesized the novel compound tributyltin(IV) ferulate (TBT-F). The coordination environment at the tin center was investigated spectroscopically. Following synthesis, chemical characterization and computational analysis, we evaluated TBT-F effects in colon cancer cells. The results showed that TBT-F, at nanomolar range concentrations, was capable of reducing the viabi…