Goniothalamin: antitumor and anti-inflammatory activities

Author(s)

Débora Barbosa Vendramini Costa

• Document type: Doctoral Thesis
• Press: Campinas, SP.
• Institution: Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Instituto de Biologia
• Defense date: 2012-05-07

Examining board members

João Ernesto de Carvalho; Angelo de Fatima; Luis Fernando Barbisan; Fátima Aparecida Böttcher Luiz; Carmen Silvia Passos Lima

• Advisor: Ronaldo Aloise Pilli; João Ernesto de Carvalho

Abstract

Carcinogenesis is a long process involving several steps, in which normal cells progressively acquire a neoplastic phenotype. Its origin is favored by genetic factors, exposure to chemical carcinogens, chronic infections and incorporation of mutations into genes involved in regulation of cellular homeostasis. The increasing understanding of tumor biology has provided molecular targets for screening of targeted chemotherapeutic and chemopreventive agents, usually from natural sources or synthesized based on natural products. The improvement of organic chemistry allowed the synthesis of natural products in an economic and refined way, with improvement on their physicochemical properties and availability. This work focuses on goniothalamin, a styryl-lactone naturally found on its enantiomeric form (R), in plants of Goniothalamus (Annonaceae) genus. The (R), (S) and racemic forms were synthesized and led to growth inhibition and cell death in a panel of nine human tumor cell lines, with high potency. Despite the potency against MCF-7 (breast carcinoma responsive to estrogen), estrogen stimulation studies revealed that the goniothalamin activity is independent of the hormone pathway. Anyway, racemic goniothalamin inhibited on 65% the proliferation of MCF-7 implanted into semi permeable fibers (hollow fiber) in mice. Flow cytometry analysis showed that low concentration of racemic goniothalamin (10 ?g/mL) leads colon tumor cell line (HT-29) to apoptosis with involvement of caspase 8 and 9, suggesting the activation of the extrinsic and intrinsic pathways. Apoptosis was also induced in human melanoma cell line SK-MEL-2, but the activity was decreased in SK-MEL-2 transfected with Bcl-XL, a mitochondrial related apoptotic inhibitor, suggesting mainly activation of the extrinsic apoptotic pathway, with activation of the intrinsic pathway to amplify the signal. Goniothalamin on its three forms comproved in vivo the in vitro activity by inhibiting tumor development in models of Ehrlich solid and ascitic tumor in mice, without signals of toxicity at the effective doses. These results, combined with good yields in the synthetic rout favored the racemic form to continue the in vivo studies. Considering that about 25% of tumors are related to chronic inflammation, racemic goniothalamin was evaluated in models of paw edema induced by carrageenan and various mediators (phospholipase A2, histamine/serotonin, prostaglandin E2 and bradykinin) displaying anti-edematogenic activity in all models. Corroborating these results, goniothalamin showed antinociceptive effect in models of algesia induced by inflammatory processes. It also inhibited the development of TNBS-induced colitis and oral treatment (30mg/kg, three times/week, three months) prevented the development of inflammation and cancer in interleukin-10 deficient mice, without signals of toxicity. These data were revealed after macroscopic and microscopic (histology) colon damage analysis, with decreased expression of TNF? and MMP9, which are important in inflammation, invasion and metastasis process. Furthermore, goniothalamin reduced the incidence of lung metastasis in a metastatic melanoma model. These results and the multitarget profile presented by goniothalamin suggest its evaluation in combinatory therapies for treatment of chronic inflammation and cancer (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 07/58665-7 - Atividade anticâncer e mecanismo de morte celular de derivados de stiril-lactonas
• Grantee: Débora Barbosa Vendramini Costa
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate (Direct)