Design,synthesis and pharmacological evaluation of 4-(3-chloro-4-(3-cyclopropylthioureido)-2-fluorophenoxy)-7-methoxyquinoline-6-carboxamide (WXFL-152): a novel triple angiokinase inhibitor for cancer therapy

Angiokinases, such as vascular endothelial-, fibroblast- and platelet-derived growth factor receptors (VEGFRs, FGFRs and PDGFRs) play crucial roles in tumor angiogenesis. Anti-angiogenesis therapy using multi-angiokinase inhibitor has achieved great success in recent years. In this study, we presented the design, synthesis, target identification, molecular mechanism, pharmacodynamics (PD) and pharmacokinetics (PK) research of a novel triple-angiokinase inhibitor WXFL-152. WXFL-152, identified from a series of 4-oxyquinoline derivatives based on a structure–activity relationship study, inhibited the proliferation of vascular endothelial cells (ECs) and pericytes by blocking the angiokinase signals VEGF/VEGFR2, FGF/FGFRs and PDGF/PDGFRβ simultaneously in vitro. Significant anticancer effects of WXFL-152 were confirmed in multiple preclinical tumor xenograft models, including a patient-derived tumor xenograft (PDX) model. Pharmacokinetic studies of WXFL-152 demonstrated high favourable bioavailability with single-dose and continuous multi-dose by oral administration in rats and beagles. In conclusion, WXFL-152, which is currently in phase Ib clinical trials, is a novel and effective triple-angiokinase inhibitor with clear PD and PK in tumor therapy.     

川芎嗪通过抑制PI3K/Akt/mTOR通路诱导自噬改善糖尿病肾病大鼠肾损害

目的 探讨川芎嗪对糖尿病肾病（DN）大鼠肾脏 PI3K/Akt/mTOR信号通路和自噬标志蛋白 LC3B表达以及 尿微量白蛋白与尿肌酐比值（UACR）、肾脏病理的影响。方法 采用链脲佐菌素建立 DN大鼠模型,将模型大鼠随机 分为模型组,川芎嗪低、中、高剂量组,厄贝沙坦组;另设正常组,每组 12只。分别干预 8周后,采用酶法测定尿肌酐, 免疫比浊法测定尿微量白蛋白,计算 UACR;取肾组织,经甲醛固定后,进行苏木精-伊红（HE）和过碘酸-雪夫（PAS） 染色;通过蛋白免疫印迹法（Western blot）和免疫组化检测大鼠肾组织 PI3K/Akt/mTOR信号通路以及自噬标志蛋白 LC3B 表达的变化。结果 川芎嗪能减缓 DN 大鼠 UACR 的升高,改善其肾脏病理变化,其中川芎嗪中、高剂量组 UACR显著低于模型组（P＜0.05）,且川芎嗪中、高剂量组与厄贝沙坦组间比较差异无统计学意义（P＞0.05）。此外, 川芎嗪能抑制 DN大鼠肾组织 p-PI3K、p-Akt、p-mTOR的表达,进而提高自噬标志蛋白 LC3B的表达水平和 LC3B-Ⅱ/ LC3B-Ⅰ比值。结论 川芎嗪能降低 DN大鼠 UACR的升高、改善其肾脏病理变化,发挥以上肾保护作用的机制可能 与其抑制 PI3K/Akt/mTOR信号通路,进而促进肾脏自噬有关。     

Investigation of non-linear Mate1-mediated efflux of trimethoprim in the mouse kidney as the mechanism underlying drug-drug interactions between trimethoprim and organic cations in the kidney

The purpose of this study was to elucidate the involvement of Mate1 in the tubular secretion of trimethoprim and saturation of Mate1-mediated efflux to address the mechanisms underlying the pharmacokinetic drug interactions with trimethoprim. Trimethoprim is a more potent inhibitor of MATE2-K than MATE1 with K_i values (μM) of 0.030–0.28 and 2.4–5.9, respectively. Trimethoprim is a substrate of human MATE1 and MATE2-K with K_m values of 2.3 ± 0.9 and 0.018 ± 0.004 μM, and mouse Mate1, but not human OCT2, mouse Oct1 and Oct2. Pyrimethamine significantly reduced the renal clearance (CL_R) of trimethoprim (mL/min/kg) from 40.0 ± 5.1 to 20.1 ± 3.7 (p < 0.05). Trimethoprim was given to mice at three infusion rates (150, 500, and 1500 nmol/min/kg). Together with an increase in the plasma concentrations of trimethoprim, the CL_R (mL/min/kg) of trimethoprim decreased to 25.9 ± 3.2, 13.5 ± 5.7, and 8.92 ± 1.50 at the respective rates. Trimethoprim decreased the CL_R of rhodamine 123 in an infusion rate-dependent manner: 11.5 ± 1.3 (control), 5.17 ± 1.55, 1.31 ± 0.50, and 0.532 ± 0.180. These results suggest that Mate1 mediates the tubular secretion of trimethoprim, and at therapeutic doses, MATEs-mediated efflux can be saturated, and thereby, cause drug interactions with other MATE substrates.     

Quantitation of escitalopram and its metabolites by liquid chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometry in psychiatric patients: New metabolic ratio establishment

Therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) is used to determine the concentration of drug in plasma/serum to adjust the dose of the therapeutic drug. Selective and sensitive analytical methods are used to determine drug and metabolite levels for the successful application of TDM. The aim of the study was to develop and validate using LC‐MS/MS to analyse quantitative assay of escitalopram (S‐CT) and metabolites in human plasma samples. In order to provide a convenient and safe treatment dose, it was aimed to determine the levels of S‐CT and its metabolites in the patients’ plasma. A new method with short sample preparation and analysis time was developed and validated using LC‐MS/MS to analyse quantitative assay of S‐CT and its metabolites in plasma. Also, plasma samples of 30 patients using 20 mg S‐CT between the ages of 18 and 65 years were analysed by the validated method. The mean values of S‐CT, demethyl escitalopram and didemethyl escitalopram in plasma of patients were 27.59, 85.52 and 44.30 ng/mL, respectively. At the end of the analysis, the metabolic ratio of S‐CT and metabolites was calculated. It is considered that the method for the quantitative analysis of S‐CT and its metabolites in human plasma samples may contribute to the literature on account of its sensitive and easy application. Additionally, the use of our data by physicians will contribute to the effective drug treatment for their patients who take S‐CT.     

Metabolic fate of the new synthetic cannabinoid 7’N‐5F‐ADB in rat,human, and pooled human S9 studied by means of hyphenated high‐resolution mass spectrometry

New psychoactive substances (NPS) are an important issue in clinical/forensic toxicology. 7’N‐5F‐ADB, a synthetic cannabinoid derived from 5F‐ADB, appeared recently on the market. Up to now, no data about its mass spectral fragmentation pattern, metabolism, and thus suitable targets for toxicological urine screenings have been available. Therefore, the aim of this study was to elucidate the metabolic fate of 7’N‐5F‐ADB in rat, human, and pooled human S9 (pS9). The main human urinary excretion products, which can be used as targets for toxicological screening procedures, were identified by Orbitrap (OT)‐based liquid chromatography–high resolution‐tandem mass spectrometry (LC–HRMS/MS). In addition, possible differentiation of 7’N‐5F‐ADB and 5F‐ADB via LC–HRMS/MS was studied. Using the in vivo and in vitro models for metabolism studies, 36 metabolites were tentatively identified. 7’N‐5F‐ABD was extensively metabolized in rat and human with minor species differences observed. The unchanged parent compound could be found in human urine but metabolites were far more abundant. The most abundant ones were the hydrolyzed ester (M5), the hydrolyzed ester in combination with hydroxylation of the tertiary butyl part (M11), and the hydrolyzed ester in addition to glucuronidation (M30). Besides the parent compound, these metabolites should be used as targets for urine‐based toxicological screening procedures. Two urine‐paired human plasma samples contained mainly the parent compound (c = 205 μg/L, 157 μg/L) and, at a higher abundance, the compound after ester hydrolysis (M5). In pS9 incubations, the parent compound, M5, and M30 were detectable among others. Furthermore, a differentiation of both compounds was possible due to different retention times and fragmentation patterns.     

芪玉三龙汤调节Beclin1,Atg5,LC3B表达以抑制肺癌肿瘤生长机制

目的:研究芪玉三龙汤对肺癌小鼠皮下移植瘤生长及对自噬关键分子酵母Atg6同系物(Beclin1),自噬相关基因5(autophagy related genes,Atg5)及微管相关蛋白1轻链3(microtubule-associated protein1light chain3,LC3B)表达的影响。方法:采用Lewis肺癌细胞(lewis lung cancer cell,LLC)构建肺癌移植瘤小鼠模型,造模成功后随机分为模型组、芪玉三龙汤组、顺铂组及联合组,每组18只移植瘤小鼠。模型组每日按照生理盐水20 mL·kg~(-1)灌胃;芪玉三龙汤组每日按照80. 48 g·kg~(-1)灌胃;顺铂组在第1,3,5天腹腔注射顺铂溶液(DDP)0. 4 mL;联合组每日按80. 48 g·kg~(-1)灌胃给药,并分别在第1,3,5天腹腔注射顺铂溶液0. 4 mL;连续治疗21 d剥离瘤组织,称取瘤重,计算抑瘤率。苏木素-伊红(HE)染色观察肿瘤组织形态学改变。免疫组化检测肿瘤组织中Beclin1,LC3B蛋白表达和定位。蛋白免疫印迹法(Western blot)测定Beclin1,Atg5,微管相关蛋白1轻链3-I(LC3B-Ⅰ)及微管相关蛋白1轻链3-Ⅱ(LC3B-Ⅱ)蛋白表达,并计算LC3B-Ⅱ/LC3B-Ⅰ。实时荧光定量聚合酶链式反应(Real-time PCR)检测肿瘤组织Beclin1,Atg5 mRNA转录水平。结果:芪玉三龙汤具有温和的移植瘤抑制作用,抑瘤率为31. 2%;镜下观察芪玉三龙汤组肿瘤组织可见片状坏死的肿瘤细胞;免疫组化及Western blot实验表明,与模型组比较,芪玉三龙汤能够上调Beclin1,Atg5,LC3B蛋白的表达(P 0. 01),并且能促进LC3B-Ⅰ转化为LC3B-Ⅱ;Real-time PCR结果表明,与模型组比较,芪玉三龙汤能够促进Beclin1,Atg5 mRNA的转录(P 0. 01)。结论:芪玉三龙汤对肺肿瘤生长具有温和地抑制作用,其作用机制可能与上调自噬关键分子Beclin1,Atg5,LC3B表达,促进LC3B-Ⅰ向LC3B-Ⅱ转化有关。     

Characterization of Mixtures of Alkyl Polyglycosides (Plantacare) by Liquid Chromatography-Electrospray Ionization Quadrupole Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry

No HeadingPurpose. Industrial products of alkyl polyglycosides (APGs) are widely used as well tolerated surfactants in washing and cleaning agents. APGs belong to the class of nonionic surfactants and are mixtures of molecules consisting of a hydrocarbon chain with Y carbon atoms linked to X sugar residues. Physicochemical properties of APG products strongly depend on the molecular composition. Therefore, a detailed analytical investigation of technical-grade APGs is presented.Methods. Complex mixtures of alkyl/alkenyl polyglycosides (APGs, Plantacare) and mixtures of APGs with other surfactants were analyzed by reversed-phase liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (LC/ESI-QTOF-MS) using methanol-water as mobile phase and gradient elution.Results. Analytes were separated according to the chain length of the alkyl homologs. Under the soft ionization of the ESI technique, mainly [M+Na]⁺ ions were observed, which proved to be very stable. Additionally [M+H]⁺ ions were detected. The QTOF mass spectrometer allows to identify even high molecular mass components in the mixtures, and APGs up to eight sugar residues were found. From these data, the alkyl/alkenyl chain lengths and the degree of oligomerization of the sugar moiety for different technical-grade APGs were calculated. Using MS/MS experiments, additional structural and chemical information was obtained.Conclusions. The presented LC/ESI-QTOF-MS approach allows to analyze and characterize various APG products, such as Plantacare. The ability of this LC/ESI-QTOF-MS approach to analyze mixtures of APGs with other surfactants is demonstrated.     

橐吾属植物中肝毒吡咯里西啶生物碱的LC/MSn检测

目的橐吾属植物中微量成分肝毒吡咯里西啶生物碱(HPA)的检测。方法采用薄层色谱法(TLC)、液相色谱与多级质谱联用法(LC/MSⁿ)。结果对橐吾属22种植物进行了HPA的LC/MSⁿ法检测，其中18种橐吾属植物中检测到了HPA。结论利用LC/MSⁿ法首次检测到东俄洛橐吾等15种橐吾属植物含有不同类型和种类的HPA，应进一步进行提取、分离与鉴定，并研究其毒性与活性；对不同种类、不同来源的橐吾属植物材料应分别检测其HPA。     

Cytotoxicity of the Roots of Trillium govanianum Against Breast (MCF7), Liver (HepG2), Lung (A549) and Urinary Bladder (EJ138) Carcinoma Cells

Trillium govanianum Wall. (Melanthiaceae alt. Trilliaceae), commonly known as ‘nag chhatri’ or ‘teen patra’, is a native species of the Himalayas. It is used in various traditional medicines containing both steroids and sex hormones. In folk medicine, the rhizomes of T. govanianum are used to treat boils, dysentery, inflammation, menstrual and sexual disorders, as an antiseptic and in wound healing. With the only exception of the recent report on the isolation of a new steroidal saponin, govanoside A, together with three known steroidal compounds with antifungal property from this plant, there has been no systematic pharmacological and phytochemical work performed on T. govanianum. This paper reports, for the first time, on the cytotoxicity of the methanol extract of the roots of T. govanianum and its solid‐phase extraction (SPE) fractions against four human carcinoma cell lines: breast (MCF7), liver (HEPG2), lung (A549) and urinary bladder (EJ138), using the 3‐(4,5‐dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐2,5‐diphenyltetrazoliumbromide cytotoxicity assay and liquid chromatography and electrospray ionization quadrupole time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry analysis of the SPE fractions. The methanol extract and all SPE fractions exhibited considerable levels of cytotoxicity against all cell lines, with the IC₅₀ values ranging between 5 and 16 µg/mL. Like other Trillium species, presence of saponins and sapogenins in the SPE fractions was evident in the liquid chromatography mass spectrometry data. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.