omtriptolide and triptolide

Triptolide (TPL), the active component of Tripterygium wilfordii Hook F (Twhf) has been used to treat cancer and bone loss conditions for over two hundred years in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). In this paper, we reviewed the specific molecular mechanisms in the treatment of cancer, bone loss and cardiovascular disease. In addition, we analyze the toxicity of TPL and collect some optimized derivatives extracted from TPL. Although positive results were obtained in most cell culture and animal studies, further studies are needed to substantiate the beneficial effects of TPL.

Topics: Animals; Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Apoptosis; Arthritis, Rheumatoid; Autophagy; Cardiovascular Diseases; Diterpenes; Epoxy Compounds; Humans; Medicine, Chinese Traditional; Neoplasms; Osteoporosis; Phenanthrenes; Plant Extracts; Signal Transduction; Tripterygium

Triptolide, a traditional Chinese medicine, has anti-inflammatory, antiproliferative, and proapoptotic properties. As interstitial inflammation and tubular apoptosis are features of cisplatin-induced acute kidney injury (AKI), we determined the effect of the water-soluble triptolide derivative 14-succinyl triptolide sodium salt (PG490-88) in a mouse model of cisplatin-induced AKI. PG490-88 resulted in a significant decrease in blood urea nitrogen (BUN), serum creatinine, and acute tubular necrosis (ATN) score, and a nonsignificant increase in tubular apoptosis score in AKI. The mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway is activated in AKI. On immunoblot analysis, phosphoextracellular signal-regulated kinase (p-ERK) was increased 3.6-fold in AKI and 2.0-fold inhibited by PG490-88. Phospho-c-Jun N-terminal kinase (p-JNK) was increased in AKI. PG490-88 resulted in a nonsignificant decrease in p-JNK. Phospho-p38 was not affected by cisplatin or PG490-88. MAPK phosphatase-1 (MKP-1) that negatively regulates MAPK signaling has not previously been studied in AKI. MKP-1 activity was not affected by cisplatin or PG490-88. Changes in p-ERK, p-JNK, and MKP-1 were confirmed on reverse protein phase analysis. The ERK inhibitor U0126 resulted in lower BUN and serum creatinine, suggesting a mechanistic role of ERK in AKI. The increase in interleukin-1α (IL-1α), IL-1β, IL-6, CXCL1, and IL-33 in the kidney in AKI was unaffected by PG490-88. In summary, PG490-88 protects against AKI and ATN despite no decrease in tubular apoptosis. The protection of PG490-88 against AKI was associated with a decrease in p-ERK and was independent of MKP-1 and proinflammatory cytokines. In conclusion, PG490-88 protects against cisplatin-induced AKI possibly by decreasing p-ERK.

Topics: Acute Kidney Injury; Animals; Antineoplastic Agents; Apoptosis; Cisplatin; Cytokines; Diterpenes; Epoxy Compounds; Kidney Function Tests; Male; MAP Kinase Kinase 4; MAP Kinase Signaling System; Mice; Mice, Inbred C57BL; p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases; Phenanthrenes

The complexation of the triptolide PG490 and its succinate derivative PG490-88Na with various cyclodextrins was studied using three complementary techniques: affinity capillary electrophoresis (ACE), isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). The apparent binding constants of the complexes formed between the drugs and 8 CDs (α-CD, β-CD, γ-CD, HP-α-CD, HP-β-CD, HP-γ-CD, CM-β-CD and amino-β-CD) were determined by ACE through linear Scott's plots. The apparent and averaged binding constants of the complexes formed between PG490-88 and β-CD, γ-CD, HP-α-CD, HP-β-CD or HP-γ-CD are contained in the narrow range 135-167 M(-1). For the anionic CM-β-CD and cationic amino-β-CD, these constants are 38 and 278 M(-1), respectively, which is in accordance with electrostatic repulsions or attractions with the succinate moiety. ITC and NMR investigations for the binding constants determinations were performed for 2 CDs allowing high complexation: HP-β-CD and amino-β-CD. The three techniques provided similar results. ITC and NMR, in contrast to ACE, allowed to study the complexes formed between the neutral compound PG490 and neutral cyclodextrins. A more advanced characterization of the PG 490-88Na/amino-β-CD complex, which displays the highest apparent binding constant, was undertaken using NMR spectroscopy. The 1:1 stoichiometry of the complex was established by (1)H NMR 1D and selective 1D TOCSY experiments using the continuous variation method. Moreover, the 1D and 2D ROESY experiments revealed the inclusion of the isopropyl moiety of the triptolide derivative in the hydrophobic CD cavity. Altogether, the data provide strong evidences that the two triptolide compounds can be efficiently complexed with CD.

Topics: Calorimetry; Chemical Phenomena; Cyclodextrins; Diterpenes; Electrophoresis, Capillary; Epoxy Compounds; Isoelectric Point; Models, Molecular; Nuclear Magnetic Resonance, Biomolecular; Phenanthrenes

Treatment of solid tumors with combinations of chemotherapeutic agents has not led to significant increases in long-term survival. Recent studies support a role for inhibitors of checkpoint arrest as a means to enhance the cytotoxicity of chemotherapy. We have shown previously that triptolide (PG490), an oxygenated diterpene derived from a Chinese medicinal plant, induces apoptosis in cultured tumor cells and sensitizes tumor cells to topoisomerase inhibitors by blocking p53-mediated induction of p21. Here we extend our studies to a tumor xenograft model and evaluate the efficacy and safety of PG490-88 (14-succinyl triptolide sodium salt), a water-soluble prodrug of PG490. We also look at the combination of PG490 or PG490-88 with CPT-11, a topoisomerase I inhibitor, in cultured cells and in the tumor xenograft model. We show that PG490-88 is a safe and potent antitumor agent when used alone, causing tumor regression of lung and colon tumor xenografts. We also show that PG490-88 acts in synergy with CPT-11 to cause tumor regression. A phase I trial of PG490-88 for solid tumors began recently and safety and optimal dosing data should accrue within the next 12 months. Our findings that PG490-88 causes tumor regression and that it acts in synergy with DNA-damaging chemotherapeutic agents suggest a role as an antineoplastic agent and chemosensitizer for the treatment of patients with solid tumors.

Topics: Animals; Antineoplastic Agents; Camptothecin; Cell Cycle; Colonic Neoplasms; Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p21; Cyclins; Diterpenes; Drug Resistance, Neoplasm; Drug Synergism; Enzyme Inhibitors; Epoxy Compounds; Humans; Irinotecan; Lung Neoplasms; Mice; Mice, Nude; Phenanthrenes; Transplantation, Heterologous; Tumor Cells, Cultured; Tumor Suppressor Protein p53