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Molecular Mechanisms Involved in The Chemopreventive and Anticancer Activity of Pentacyclic Triterpenes

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A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular Biophysics".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 December 2021) | Viewed by 32580

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Special Issue Editor

Dr. Codruta Soica

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Guest Editor

1. Departament of Pharmacology-Pharmacotherapy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Victor Babeş University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, 2nd EftimieMurgu Sq., 300041 Timişoara, Romania
2. Research Center for Pharmaco-Toxicological Evaluations, Faculty of Pharmacy, Victor Babes University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 2 Eftimie Murgu Street, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
Interests: drug analysis; drug product design and development; analytical technique; magnetic and metallic nanoparticles; polymeric nanoparticles; solid–lipid nanoparticles; drug–cyclodextrin inclusion; complexation; cell biology; biological active compounds; biomedical microbiology; biophysics; biochemistry
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Special Issue Information

Dear colleagues,

For thousands of years, plants have provided therapeutic solutions for numerous pathologies initially in the form of raw extracts and then as source of active compounds which served as a starting point for the synthesis of new drugs. A significant share of existing small-molecule drugs, including certain anticancer medications, are directly derived or inspired by phytochemicals. Natural compounds may offer advantages over synthetic ones in terms of fewer and less severe side effects as well as reduced drug resistance. However, despite global efforts, the in vitro studies conducted on several phytocompounds have often resulted in unreliable information which could not support their clinical use under the current medical regulations. Therefore, rigorous scientific research must continue in order to assess the efficacy and safety of natural compounds as pharmacologically active agents.

This Special Issue is dedicated to the investigation of molecular mechanisms involved in the anticancer activity of pentacyclic triterpenes and their semisynthetic derivatives based on in vitro and in vivo studies. Pentacyclic triterpenes are secondary plant metabolites found in a wide variety of species with documented anti-inflammatory, anticancer, analgesic, and immunomodulatory effects. The chemical scaffold of pentacyclic triterpenes provides a promising platform for the synthesis of semisynthetic derivatives with improved pharmacokinetics and bioavailability.

Pentacyclic triterpenoids are able to act on multiple molecular targets and to regulate several cell proliferation pathways involved in the process of uncontrolled cell proliferation. In vitro and in vivo studies have shown that triterpenoids inhibit DNA polymerase, interfere with angiogenesis and cell differentiation, induce cell death through apoptosis, inhibit nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) activation and signal transduction, and induce mitochondrial dysfunction, resulting in overall inhibition of proliferation and metastasis. Triterpenoid acids, monoalcohols, and diols exert antioxidant effects by reducing the production of free reactive oxidative species (ROS). Despite the identification of numerous molecular targets, detailed investigations are still needed in order to clarify the anticancer potential of this class of phytocompounds. In addition, given the sometimes contradictory results between in vitro and in vivo studies, more in vivo assessments are required to support in vitro findings. Systematic toxicological studies that are scientifically designed according to international guidelines are needed to accelerate the pharmaceutical development of triterpenoid compounds.

This Special Issue will collect a selection of recent research topics and current review articles related to the molecular mechanisms involved in the anticancer effects of pentacyclic triterpenoids in order to update the current knowledge in this field. Original papers, up-to-date review articles, short communications, and commentaries are all welcome.

Prof. Dr. Codruta Soica
Guest Editor

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Keywords

pentacyclic triterpenes
in vitro studies
in vivo studies
molecular mechanisms
semisynthetic derivatives
molecular targets
proliferation and metastasis inhibition

Published Papers (11 papers)

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Research

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26 pages, 2410 KiB

Open AccessArticle

New Investigations with Lupane Type A-Ring Azepane Triterpenoids for Antimycobacterial Drug Candidate Design

by Oxana Kazakova, Roxana Racoviceanu, Anastasiya Petrova, Marius Mioc, Adrian Militaru, Lucreția Udrescu, Mihai Udrescu, Adrian Voicu, Jason Cummings, Gregory Robertson, Diane J. Ordway, Richard A. Slayden and Codruța Șoica

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2021, 22(22), 12542; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms222212542 - 21 Nov 2021

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2363

Abstract

Twenty lupane type A-ring azepano-triterpenoids were synthesized from betulin and its related derivatives and their antitubercular activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis, mono-resistant MTB strains, and nontuberculous strains Mycobacterium abscessus and Mycobacterium avium were investigated in the framework of AToMIc (Anti-mycobacterial Target or Mechanism Identification Contract) realized by the Division of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, NIAID, National Institute of Health. Of all the tested triterpenoids, 17 compounds showed antitubercular activity and 6 compounds were highly active on the H37Rv wild strain (with MIC 0.5 µM for compound 7), out of which 4 derivatives also emerged as highly active compounds on the three mono-resistant MTB strains. Molecular docking corroborated with a machine learning drug-drug similarity algorithm revealed that azepano-triterpenoids have a rifampicin-like antitubercular activity, with compound 7 scoring the highest as a potential M. tuberculosis RNAP potential inhibitor. FIC testing demonstrated an additive effect of compound 7 when combined with rifampin, isoniazid and ethambutol. Most compounds were highly active against M. avium with compound 14 recording the same MIC value as the control rifampicin (0.0625 µM). The antitubercular ex vivo effectiveness of the tested compounds on THP-1 infected macrophages is correlated with their increased cell permeability. The tested triterpenoids also exhibit low cytotoxicity and do not induce antibacterial resistance in MTB strains. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Mechanisms Involved in The Chemopreventive and Anticancer Activity of Pentacyclic Triterpenes)

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28 pages, 6798 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Novel Synthesized N-Ethyl-Piperazinyl-Amides of C2-Substituted Oleanonic and Ursonic Acids Exhibit Cytotoxic Effects through Apoptotic Cell Death Regulation

by Oxana Kazakova, Alexandra Mioc, Irina Smirnova, Irina Baikova, Adrian Voicu, Lavinia Vlaia, Ioana Macașoi, Marius Mioc, George Drăghici, Ştefana Avram, Cristina Dehelean and Codruța Şoica

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2021, 22(20), 10967; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms222010967 - 11 Oct 2021

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2085

Abstract

A series of novel hybrid chalcone N-ethyl-piperazinyl amide derivatives of oleanonic and ursonic acids were synthesized, and their cytotoxic potential was evaluated in vitro against the NCI-60 cancer cell line panel. Compounds 4 and 6 exhibited the highest overall anticancer activity, with GI₅₀ values in some cases reaching nanomolar values. Thus, the two compounds were further assessed in detail in order to identify a possible apoptosis- and antiangiogenic-based mechanism of action induced by the assessed compounds. DAPI staining revealed that both compounds induced nuclei condensation and overall cell morphological changes consistent with apoptotic cell death. rtPCR analysis showed that up-regulation of pro-apoptotic Bak gene combined with the down-regulation of the pro-survival Bcl-XL and Bcl-2 genes caused altered ratios between the pro-apoptotic and anti-apoptotic proteins’ levels, leading to overall induced apoptosis. Molecular docking analysis revealed that both compounds exhibited high scores for Bcl-XL inhibition, suggesting that compounds may induce apoptotic cell death through targeted anti-apoptotic protein inhibition, as well. Ex vivo determinations showed that both compounds did not significantly alter the angiogenesis process on the tested cell lines. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Mechanisms Involved in The Chemopreventive and Anticancer Activity of Pentacyclic Triterpenes)

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18 pages, 3221 KiB

Open AccessArticle

EGFR-Targeted Pentacyclic Triterpene Analogues for Glioma Therapy

by Halil I. Ciftci, Mohamed O. Radwan, Belgin Sever, Ahmed K. Hamdy, Safiye Emirdağ, N. Gokce Ulusoy, Ece Sozer, Mustafa Can, Nurettin Yayli, Norie Araki, Hiroshi Tateishi, Masami Otsuka, Mikako Fujita and Mehlika Dilek Altintop

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2021, 22(20), 10945; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms222010945 - 11 Oct 2021

Cited by 15 | Viewed by 3137

Abstract

Glioma, particularly its most malignant form, glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), is the most common and aggressive malignant central nervous system tumor. The drawbacks of the current chemotherapy for GBM have aroused curiosity in the search for targeted therapies. Aberrantly overexpressed epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) in GBM results in poor prognosis, low survival rates, poor responses to therapy and recurrence, and therefore EGFR-targeted therapy stands out as a promising approach for the treatment of gliomas. In this context, a series of pentacyclic triterpene analogues were subjected to in vitro and in silico assays, which were conducted to assess their potency as EGFR-targeted anti-glioma agents. In particular, compound 10 was the most potent anti-glioma agent with an IC₅₀ value of 5.82 µM towards U251 human glioblastoma cells. Taking into account its low cytotoxicity to peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), compound 10 exerts selective antitumor action towards Jurkat human leukemic T-cells. This compound also induced apoptosis and inhibited EGFR with an IC₅₀ value of 9.43 µM compared to erlotinib (IC₅₀ = 0.06 µM). Based on in vitro and in silico data, compound 10 stands out as a potential orally bioavailable EGFR-targeted anti-glioma agent endowed with the ability to cross the blood–brain barrier (BBB). Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Mechanisms Involved in The Chemopreventive and Anticancer Activity of Pentacyclic Triterpenes)

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28 pages, 7622 KiB

Open AccessArticle

3-Pyridinylidene Derivatives of Chemically Modified Lupane and Ursane Triterpenes as Promising Anticancer Agents by Targeting Apoptosis

by Oxana Kazakova, Codruța Șoica, Marat Babaev, Anastasiya Petrova, Elmira Khusnutdinova, Alexander Poptsov, Ioana Macașoi, George Drăghici, Ștefana Avram, Lavinia Vlaia, Alexandra Mioc, Marius Mioc, Cristina Dehelean and Adrian Voicu

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2021, 22(19), 10695; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms221910695 - 02 Oct 2021

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2196

Abstract

Cancer persists as a global challenge due to the extent to which conventional anticancer therapies pose high risks counterbalanced with their therapeutic benefit. Naturally occurring substances stand as an important safer alternative source for anticancer drug development. In the current study, a series of modified lupane and ursane derivatives was subjected to in vitro screening on the NCI-60 cancer cell line panel. Compounds 6 and 7 have been identified as highly active with GI₅₀ values ranging from 0.03 µM to 5.9 µM (compound 6) and 0.18–1.53 µM (compound 7). Thus, these two compounds were further assessed in detail in order to identify a possible antiproliferative mechanism of action. DAPI (4′,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole) staining revealed that both compounds induced nuclei condensation and overall cell morphological changes consistent with apoptotic cell death. rtPCR analysis showed that both compounds induced upregulation of proapoptotic Bak and Bad genes while downregulating Bcl-XL and Bcl-2 antiapoptotic genes. Molecular docking analysis revealed that both compounds exhibited high scores for Bcl-XL inhibition, while compound 7 showed higher in silico Bcl-XL inhibition potential as compared to the native inhibitor ATB-737, suggesting that compounds may induce apoptotic cell death through targeted antiapoptotic protein inhibition, as well. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Mechanisms Involved in The Chemopreventive and Anticancer Activity of Pentacyclic Triterpenes)

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33 pages, 6924 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Novel A-Ring Chalcone Derivatives of Oleanolic and Ursolic Amides with Anti-Proliferative Effect Mediated through ROS-Triggered Apoptosis

by Elmira Khusnutdinova, Anastasiya Petrova, Zulfia Zileeva, Ulyana Kuzmina, Liana Zainullina, Yulia Vakhitova, Denis Babkov and Oxana Kazakova

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2021, 22(18), 9796; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms22189796 - 10 Sep 2021

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 2247

Abstract

A series of A-ring modified oleanolic and ursolic acid derivatives including C28 amides (3-oxo-C2-nicotinoylidene/furfurylidene, 3β-hydroxy-C2-nicotinoylidene, 3β-nicotinoyloxy-, 2-cyano-3,4-seco-4(23)-ene, indolo-, lactame and azepane) were synthesized and screened for their cytotoxic activity against the NCI-60 cancer cell line panel. The results of the first assay of thirty-two tested compounds showed that eleven derivatives exhibited cytotoxicity against cancer cells, and six of them were selected for complete dose–response studies. A systematic study of local SARs has been carried out by comparative analysis of potency distributions and similarity relationships among the synthesized compounds using network-like similarity graphs. Among the oleanane type triterpenoids, C2-[4-pyridinylidene]-oleanonic C28-morpholinyl amide exhibited sub-micromolar potencies against 15 different tumor cell lines and revealed particular selectivity for non-small cell lung cancer (HOP-92) with a GI₅₀ value of 0.0347 μM. On the other hand, superior results were observed for C2-[3-pyridinylidene]-ursonic N-methyl-piperazinyl amide 29, which exhibited a broad-spectrum inhibition activity with GI₅₀ < 1 μM against 33 tumor cell lines and <2 μM against all 60 cell lines. This compound has been further evaluated for cell cycle analysis to decipher the mechanism of action. The data indicate that compound 29 could exhibit both cytostatic and cytotoxic activity, depending on the cell line evaluated. The cytostatic activity appears to be determined by induction of the cell cycle arrest at the S (MCF-7, SH-SY5Y cells) or G₀/G₁ phases (A549 cells), whereas cytotoxicity of the compound against normal cells is nonspecific and arises from apoptosis without significant alterations in cell cycle distribution (HEK293 cells). Our results suggest that the antiproliferative effect of compound 29 is mediated through ROS-triggered apoptosis that involves mitochondrial membrane potential depolarization and caspase activation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Mechanisms Involved in The Chemopreventive and Anticancer Activity of Pentacyclic Triterpenes)

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22 pages, 5605 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Efficient In Vitro and In Vivo Anti-Inflammatory Activity of a Diamine-PEGylated Oleanolic Acid Derivative

by Fatin Jannus, Marta Medina-O’Donnell, Veronika E. Neubrand, Milagros Marín, Maria J. Saez-Lara, M. Rosario Sepulveda, Eva E. Rufino-Palomares, Antonio Martinez, Jose A. Lupiañez, Andres Parra, Francisco Rivas and Fernando J. Reyes-Zurita

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2021, 22(15), 8158; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms22158158 - 29 Jul 2021

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 3199

Abstract

Recent evidence has shown that inflammation can contribute to all tumorigenic states. We have investigated the anti-inflammatory effects of a diamine-PEGylated derivative of oleanolic acid (OADP), in vitro and in vivo with inflammation models. In addition, we have determined the sub-cytotoxic concentrations for anti-inflammatory assays of OADP in RAW 264.7 cells. The inflammatory process began with incubation with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Nitric oxide production levels were also determined, exceeding 75% inhibition of NO for a concentration of 1 µg/mL of OADP. Cell-cycle analysis showed a reversal of the arrest in the G0/G1 phase in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. Furthermore, through Western blot analysis, we have determined the probable molecular mechanism activated by OADP; the inhibition of the expression of cytokines such as TNF-α, IL-1β, iNOS, and COX-2; and the blocking of p-IκBα production in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. Finally, we have analyzed the anti-inflammatory action of OADP in a mouse acute ear edema, in male BL/6J mice treated with OADP and tetradecanoyl phorbol acetate (TPA). Treatment with OADP induced greater suppression of edema and decreased the ear thickness 14% more than diclofenac. The development of new derivatives such as OADP with powerful anti-inflammatory effects could represent an effective therapeutic strategy against inflammation and tumorigenic processes. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Mechanisms Involved in The Chemopreventive and Anticancer Activity of Pentacyclic Triterpenes)

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14 pages, 2246 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Cytotoxic Potential of a-Azepano- and 3-Amino-3,4-SeCo-Triterpenoids

by Oxana Kazakova, Irina Smirnova, Elena Tret’yakova, René Csuk, Sophie Hoenke and Lucie Fischer

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2021, 22(4), 1714; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms22041714 - 08 Feb 2021

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2079

Abstract

Semi-synthetic triterpenoids, holding an amino substituted seven-membered A-ring (azepano-ring), which could be synthesized from triterpenic oximes through a Beckmann type rearrangement followed by a reduction of lactame fragment, are considered to be novel promising agents exhibiting anti-microbial, alpha-glucosidase, and butyrylcholinesterase inhibitory activities. In this study, in an attempt to develop new antitumor candidates, a series of A-ring azepano- and 3-amino-3,4-seco-derivatives of betulin, oleanolic, ursolic, and glycyrrhetinic acids were evaluated for their cytotoxic activity against five human cancer cell lines and non-malignant mouse fibroblasts by means of a colorimetric sulforhodamine assay. Azepanoallobetulinic acid amide derivative 11 was the most cytotoxic compound of this series but showed little selectivity between the different human tumor cell lines. Flow cytometry experiments showed compound 11 to act mainly by apoptosis (44.3%) and late apoptosis (21.4%). The compounds were further screened at the National Cancer Institute towards a panel of 60 cancer cell lines. It was found that compounds 3, 4, 7, 8, 9, 11, 15, 16, 19, and 20 showed growth inhibitory (GI₅₀) against the most sensitive cell lines at submicromolar concentrations (0.20–0.94 μM), and their cytotoxic activity (LC₅₀) was also high (1–6 μM). Derivatives 3, 8, 11, 15, and 16 demonstrated a certain selectivity profile at GI₅₀ level from 5.16 to 9.56 towards K-562, CCRF-CEM, HL-60(TB), and RPMI-8226 (Leukemia), HT29 (Colon cancer), and OVCAR-4 (Ovarian cancer) cell lines. Selectivity indexes of azepanoerythrodiol 3 at TGI level ranged from 5.93 (CNS cancer cell lines SF-539, SNB-19 and SNB-75) to 14.89 for HCT-116 (colon cancer) with SI 9.56 at GI₅₀ level for the leukemia cell line K-562. The present study highlighted the importance of A-azepano-ring in the triterpenic core for the development of novel antitumor agents, and a future aim to increase the selectivity profile will thus lie in the area of modifications of azepano-triterpenic acids at their carboxyl group. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Mechanisms Involved in The Chemopreventive and Anticancer Activity of Pentacyclic Triterpenes)

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Review

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51 pages, 13667 KiB

Open AccessReview

The Optimized Delivery of Triterpenes by Liposomal Nanoformulations: Overcoming the Challenges

by Andreea Milan, Alexandra Mioc, Alexandra Prodea, Marius Mioc, Roxana Buzatu, Roxana Ghiulai, Roxana Racoviceanu, Florina Caruntu and Codruţa Şoica

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2022, 23(3), 1140; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms23031140 - 20 Jan 2022

Cited by 16 | Viewed by 4057

Abstract

The last decade has witnessed a sustained increase in the research development of modern-day chemo-therapeutics, especially for those used for high mortality rate pathologies. However, the therapeutic landscape is continuously changing as a result of the currently existing toxic side effects induced by a substantial range of drug classes. One growing research direction driven to mitigate such inconveniences has converged towards the study of natural molecules for their promising therapeutic potential. Triterpenes are one such class of compounds, intensively investigated for their therapeutic versatility. Although the pharmacological effects reported for several representatives of this class has come as a well-deserved encouragement, the pharmacokinetic profile of these molecules has turned out to be an unwelcomed disappointment. Nevertheless, the light at the end of the tunnel arrived with the development of nanotechnology, more specifically, the use of liposomes as drug delivery systems. Liposomes are easily synthesizable phospholipid-based vesicles, with highly tunable surfaces, that have the ability to transport both hydrophilic and lipophilic structures ensuring superior drug bioavailability at the action site as well as an increased selectivity. This study aims to report the results related to the development of different types of liposomes, used as targeted vectors for the delivery of various triterpenes of high pharmacological interest. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Mechanisms Involved in The Chemopreventive and Anticancer Activity of Pentacyclic Triterpenes)

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54 pages, 11132 KiB

Open AccessReview

From Marine Metabolites to the Drugs of the Future: Squalamine, Trodusquemine, Their Steroid and Triterpene Analogues

by Oxana Kazakova, Gulnara Giniyatullina, Denis Babkov and Zdenek Wimmer

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2022, 23(3), 1075; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms23031075 - 19 Jan 2022

Cited by 15 | Viewed by 3526

Abstract

This review comprehensively describes the recent advances in the synthesis and pharmacological evaluation of steroid polyamines squalamine, trodusquemine, ceragenins, claramine, and their diverse analogs and derivatives, with a special focus on their complete synthesis from cholic acids, as well as an antibacterial and antiviral, neuroprotective, antiangiogenic, antitumor, antiobesity and weight-loss activity, antiatherogenic, regenerative, and anxiolytic properties. Trodusquemine is the most-studied small-molecule allosteric PTP1B inhibitor. The discovery of squalamine as the first representative of a previously unknown class of natural antibiotics of animal origin stimulated extensive research of terpenoids (especially triterpenoids) comprising polyamine fragments. During the last decade, this new class of biologically active semisynthetic natural product derivatives demonstrated the possibility to form supramolecular networks, which opens up many possibilities for the use of such structures for drug delivery systems in serum or other body fluids. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Mechanisms Involved in The Chemopreventive and Anticancer Activity of Pentacyclic Triterpenes)

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33 pages, 12230 KiB

Open AccessReview

The Role of Cyclodextrins in the Design and Development of Triterpene-Based Therapeutic Agents

by Alexandra Prodea, Alexandra Mioc, Christian Banciu, Cristina Trandafirescu, Andreea Milan, Roxana Racoviceanu, Roxana Ghiulai, Marius Mioc and Codruta Soica

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2022, 23(2), 736; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms23020736 - 10 Jan 2022

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 2194

Abstract

Triterpenic compounds stand as a widely investigated class of natural compounds due to their remarkable therapeutic potential. However, their use is currently being hampered by their low solubility and, subsequently, bioavailability. In order to overcome this drawback and increase the therapeutic use of triterpenes, cyclodextrins have been introduced as water solubility enhancers; cyclodextrins are starch derivatives that possess hydrophobic internal cavities that can incorporate lipophilic molecules and exterior surfaces that can be subjected to various derivatizations in order to improve their biological behavior. This review aims to summarize the most recent achievements in terms of triterpene:cyclodextrin inclusion complexes and bioconjugates, emphasizing their practical applications including the development of new isolation and bioproduction protocols, the elucidation of their underlying mechanism of action, the optimization of triterpenes’ therapeutic effects and the development of new topical formulations. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Mechanisms Involved in The Chemopreventive and Anticancer Activity of Pentacyclic Triterpenes)

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27 pages, 8544 KiB

Open AccessReview

Anticancer Potential of Betulonic Acid Derivatives

by Adelina Lombrea, Alexandra Denisa Scurtu, Stefana Avram, Ioana Zinuca Pavel, Māris Turks, Jevgeņija Lugiņina, Uldis Peipiņš, Cristina Adriana Dehelean, Codruta Soica and Corina Danciu

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2021, 22(7), 3676; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms22073676 - 01 Apr 2021

Cited by 28 | Viewed by 3706

Abstract

Clinical trials have evidenced that several natural compounds, belonging to the phytochemical classes of alkaloids, terpenes, phenols and flavonoids, are effective for the management of various types of cancer. Latest research has proven that natural products and their semisynthetic variants may serve as a starting point for new drug candidates with a diversity of biological and pharmacological activities, designed to improve bioavailability, overcome cellular resistance, and enhance therapeutic efficacy. This review was designed to bring an update regarding the anticancer potential of betulonic acid and its semisynthetic derivatives. Chemical derivative structures of betulonic acid including amide, thiol, and piperidine groups, exert an amplification of the in vitro anticancer potential of betulonic acid. With the need for more mechanistic and in vivo data, some derivatives of betulonic acids may represent promising anticancer agents. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Mechanisms Involved in The Chemopreventive and Anticancer Activity of Pentacyclic Triterpenes)

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