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Studies in sugar chemistry. VII. Glucuronides of podophyllum derivatives.

The antitumor activities of several glucuronide methyl esters of podophyllum derivatives were tested in vitro against two human tumor cell lines and their drug resistant sublines. The most active compound studied was methyl (4'-carbobenzoxy-4'-demethyl-epipodophyllotoxin-D-glucopyranoside)uronat e 19. Compound 19 was as potent in a colon carcinoma model and was twice as potent in a lung carcinoma model as etoposide 6. In vivo, however, in a mouse leukemia P388 model, it had only marginal activity, with a maximum T/C% value of 125 at 37 mg/kg (iv).

Animals↗

Podophyllum hexandrum prevents radiation-induced neuronal damage in postnatal rats exposed in utero.

Podophyllum hexandrum has been shown to mitigate radiation injuries and especially the haemopoietic syndrome in adult mice. To monitor the radiation-induced changes in the nervous system, the neurons of postnatal young mice and their modification by P. hexandrum, were studied histologically for differences in the apical and basal dendritic branching and intersections in the CA1 neurons of the hippocampal region of rats which were delivered a 2 Gy gamma dose while in utero (day 17 of gestation). Irradiation significantly reduced the dendritic branching and intersections but pre-irradiation administration of the extract of P. hexandrum (i.p. 200 mg/kg/b.w., 2 h) reduced the damage in postnatal young mice. These studies indicate that P. hexandrum provides protection to neurons against radiation-induced damage and the mechanism of neuronal damage and its repair need to be investigated further.

Animals↗

Dense bodies and Langerhans granules after application of podophyllum resin.

The application of an alcoholic solution of podophyllum resin at concentrations above 10% for seven hours on guinea-pig udders increases the number of dense intracytoplasmic bodies in the Langerhans cells localized in the epidermis. A close relationship can be established between these inclusions and the typical Langerhans granules in view of the numerous intermediate forms with features of one or the other. Serial sections of these structures confirm the irregularity not only of the lysosome-like bodies but also of the Langerhans granules, which may be fusiform or oblong or even present two vesicular dilatations, one at each end of the rod.

Cell Membrane↗

Effect of major nutrients on podophyllotoxin production in Podophyllum hexandrum suspension cultures.

The effect of major medium ingredients (sugar, nitrogen source and phosphate) in Podophyllum hexandrum suspension cultures was investigated in order to increase the production of podophyllotoxin, the raw material in the synthesis of anticancer drugs. Amongst B5, Eriksson, MS, Nitsch, Street and White's medium, MS medium resulted in high growth and podophyllotoxin accumulation. The optimum level of nitrogen was found to be 60 mM, with a combination of ammonium salts and nitrate in the ratio of 1:2. The highest level of podophyllotoxin was obtained at 60 g glucose/l and at 1.25 mM phosphate after 30 days. Statistical design was adopted to determine the optimum levels of the parameters for cell growth and podophyllotoxin production.

Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic↗

Antioxidant activity of fractionated extracts of rhizomes of high-altitude Podophyllum hexandrum: role in radiation protection.

Whole extract of rhizomes of Podophyllum hexandrum has been reported earlier by our group to render whole-body radioprotection. High-altitude P. hexandrum (HAPH) was therefore fractionated using solvents of varying polarity (non-polar to polar) and the different fractions were designated as, n-hexane (HE), chloroform (CE), alcohol (AE), hydro-alcohol (HA) and water (WE). The total polyphenolic content (mg% of quercetin) was determined spectrophotometrically, while. The major constituents present in each fraction were identified and characterized using LC-APCI/MS/MS. In vitro screening of the individual fractions, rich in polyphenols and lignans, revealed several bioactivities of direct relevance to radioprotection e.g. metal-chelation activity, antioxidant activity, DNA protection, inhibition of radiation (250 Gy) and iron/ascorbate-induced lipid peroxidation (LPO). CE exhibited maximum protection to plasmid (pBR322) DNA in the plasmid relaxation assay (68.09% of SC form retention). It also showed maximal metal chelation activity (41.59%), evaluated using 2,2'-bipyridyl assay, followed by AE (31.25%), which exhibited maximum antioxidant potential (lowest absorption unit value: 0.0389 +/- 0.00717) in the reducing power assay. AE also maximally inhibited iron/ascorbate-induced and radiation-induced LPO (99.76 and 92.249%, respectively, at 2000 microg/ml) in mouse liver homogenate. Under conditions of combined stress (radiation (250 Gy) + iron/ascorbate), at a concentration of 2000 microg/ml, HA exhibited higher percentage of inhibition (93.05%) of LPO activity. HA was found to be effective in significantly (p < 0.05) lowering LPO activity over a wide range of concentrations as compared to AE. The present comparative study indicated that alcoholic (AE) and hydro-alcoholic (HA) fractions are the most promising fractions, which can effectively tackle radiation-induced oxidative stress.

Animals↗

Podophyllum hexandrum modulates gamma radiation-induced immunosuppression in Balb/c mice: implications in radioprotection.

Aqueous extract of Podophyllum hexandrum (RP-1), which has been reported to render more than 82% survival against whole body lethal (10 Gy) gamma-irradiation in mice, was further investigated for its immunomodulatory potential. In this study, no significant change could be scored in peritoneal macrophages survival up to 8th day after whole body irradiation. RP-1 treatment (200 mg/kg body weight, i.p.) alone or 2 h before whole body irradiation enhanced macrophage survival significantly (p<0.05) as compared to irradiated control mice. In irradiated animals, there was significant (p<0.01) reduction in splenocyte survival and proliferation as revealed by 3H-TdR method. RP-1 treatment (200 mg/kg) alone or 2 h before irradiation countered the decrease in survival of splenocytes and proliferation significantly (p<0.05) as compared to irradiated control group. Whole body irradiation also significantly (p<0.05) reduced the population of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells and bone marrow GM-CFU at 24 h and 72 h post-irradiation intervals, respectively, as compared to unirradiated control. RP-1 treatment 2 h before whole body irradiation countered the decrease in CD4+ and CD8+ T cells populations and CGM-CFU. Nitric oxide free radicals generation was enhanced significantly (p<0.05) in the supernatant of peritoneal macrophage cultures exposed to 2 Gy gamma radiation ex vivo in comparison to unirradiated control, which was reduced by pre-irradiation (-2 h) administration of RP-1. Whole body irradiation (10 Gy) also reduced the serum titres of IL-3, IL-1 and various IgG isotypes observed at different post-irradiation time interval. RP-1 treatment alone or before whole body irradiation countered radiation induced decrease in the titre of IL-1, IL-3 and IgG's in the serum of mice. These findings indicate immunostimulatory potential of RP-1.

Animals↗

Dirigent-mediated podophyllotoxin biosynthesis in Linum flavum and Podophyllum peltatum.

Given the importance of the antitumor/antiviral lignans, podophyllotoxin and 5-methoxypodophyllotoxin, as biotechnological targets, their biosynthetic pathways were investigated in Podophyllum peltatum and Linum flavum. Entry into their pathways was established to occur via dirigent mediated coupling of E-coniferyl alcohol to afford (+)-pinoresinol; the encoding gene was cloned and the recombinant protein subsequently obtained. Radiolabeled substrate studies using partially purified enzyme preparations next revealed (+)-pinoresinol was enantiospecifically converted sequentially into (+)-lariciresinol and (-)-secoisolariciresinol via the action of an NADPH-dependent bifunctional pinoresinol/lariciresinol reductase. The resulting (-)-secoisolariciresinol was enantiospecifically dehydrogenated into (-)-matairesinol, as evidenced through the conversion of both radio- and stable isotopically labeled secoisolariciresinol into matairesinol, this being catalyzed by the NAD-dependent secoisolariciresinol dehydrogenase. (-)-Matairesinol was further hydroxylated to afford 7'-hydroxymatairesinol, this being efficiently metabolized into 5-methoxypodophyllotoxin. Thus much of the overall biosynthetic pathway to podophyllotoxin has been established, that is, from the dirigent mediated coupling of E-coniferyl alcohol to the subsequent conversions leading to 7'-hydroxymatairesinol.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Protection against radiation induced damage to spermatogenesis by Podophyllum hexandrum.

Aqueous extract of rhizome of Podophyllum hexandrum (RP-1) has been found to render protection against lethal whole body irradiation (10 Gy), damage to haemopoietic and gastrointestinal tissue etc. in mice. In order to assess its suitability from clinical point of view its effects were investigated on male germinal tissue in mice. Swiss albino strain 'A' male mice (10-12 weeks) were exposed to varied radiation doses (0.5, 2.0, 5.0 and 10 Gy) with and without 200 mg/kg b.w. of RP-1 and sacrificed at different time periods (10, 35 and 70 days) to collect the tissue. Administration of RP-1, 2 h before irradiation rendered a significant increase in the testis weight, repopulating tubules, resting primary spermatocytes, stem cell survival index, sperm counts and reduction in abnormalities of sperm morphology, at all the time periods studied here. RP-1 treatment alone did not generate any adverse effects. These results reveal that RP-1, if put to clinical application, will not be harmful to the testicular system.

Animals↗

Podophyllum peltatum possesses a beta-glucosidase with high substrate specificity for the aryltetralin lignan podophyllotoxin.

A beta-glucosidase with high specificity for podophyllotoxin-4-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside was purified from the leaves of Podophyllum peltatum. The 65-kDa polypeptide had optimum activity at pH 5.0 and was essentially inactive at pH 6.5 or above. Maximum catalytic activity of this glucosidase was obtained at 45 degrees C, but the enzyme was not heat stable. This beta-glucosidase displayed higher substrate specificity for podophyllotoxin-4-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside than for the other lignans tested, and for the (1-->3) linkage of laminaribiose than for other glucosidic linkages.

Disaccharides↗

Production of podophyllotoxin using cross-species coculture of Linum flavum hairy roots and Podophyllum hexandrum cell suspensions.

Novel cross-species coculture systems using Linum flavum hairy roots and Podophyllum hexandrum cell suspensions were applied for in vitro production of podophyllotoxin. The hairy roots and suspensions were cocultured in Linsmaier and Skoog medium in dual shake flasks and dual bioreactors. In separate experiments, coniferin feeding was shown to be an effective strategy for increasing the accumulation of podophyllotoxin in P. hexandrum suspensions. Because roots of L. flavum are a natural source of coniferin, hairy roots of this species were used in coculture with P. hexandrum to provide an in situ supply of coniferin. Compared with P. hexandrum suspensions cultured alone in shake flasks or bioreactors, podophyllotoxin concentrations in cocultured P. hexandrum cells were increased by 240% and 72% in dual shake flask and dual bioreactor systems, respectively. The availability and stability of coniferin in the medium are the most likely factors limiting podophyllotoxin synthesis in coculture. Intensification of the coculture process is required to further improve total podophyllotoxin accumulation on a volumetric basis.

Bioreactors↗

Biologically active components against Drosophila melanogaster from Podophyllum hexandrum.

In the course of screening for novel naturally occurring insecticides from Chinese crude drugs, a dichloromethane extract of Podophyllum hexandrum was found to give an insecticidal activity against larvae of Drosophila melanogaster Meigen. From the extract, an insecticidal compound was isolated by bioassay-guided fractionation. The compound was identified as podophyllotoxin (1) by comparison of its spectroscopic characteristics with literature data. In bioassays for insecticidal activity, 1 showed a LC(50) value of 0.24 micromol/mL diet against larvae of D. melanogaster and a LD(50) value of 22 microg/adult against adults. Acetylpodophyllotoxin (1A), however showed slight insecticidal activity in both assays, indicating that the 4-hydroxyl group was an important function for enhanced activity of 1.

Animals↗

Endophyte fungal isolates from Podophyllum peltatum produce podophyllotoxin.

The lignan podophyllotoxin (1) is highly valued as the precursor to clinically useful anticancer drugs. Substantial drug development of this compound class continues, including potential new use for inflammatory disease. We have isolated two endophyte fungi, both strains of Phialocephala fortinii, from rhizomes of the plant Podophyllum peltatum. The fungi were identified through DNA sequencing and morphology. Both strains of fungi are slow-growing and produce 1 at low but measurable amounts in broth culture. The compound was confirmed through matching HPLC retention times, absorption spectra, and MS data to authentic 1. The yield of 1 has ranged from 0.5 to 189 microg/L in 4 weeks of culture. These fungi have implications for the sustained production of 1 independent of wild populations of the source plants.

Animals↗

An investigation of the antiviral activity of Podophyllum peltatum.

The antiviral activity of an aqueous extract of Podophyllum peltatum was investigated. The extract was fractionated by reversed-phase chromatography, and podophyllotoxin was found to be the most active component in inhibiting the replication of measles and herpes simplex type I viruses. beta-Peltatin and desoxypodophyllotoxin produced marginal antiviral effects, while alpha-peltatin and picropodophyllotoxin were inactive at the levels tested.

Animals↗

Radiation protection of HepG2 cells by Podophyllum hexandrum Royale.

Radioprotection by an aqueous extract of Podophyllum hexandrum (RP-1) was investigated in HepG2 cells by evaluating colony forming efficacy (CFE), redox status of mitochondria, reactive oxygen species (ROS), generation of nitric oxide (NO), peroxidation of lipids and intracellular glutathione. Lower concentrations of RP-1 (0.1 and 1 microg/ml) rendered maximum radioprotection when administered 1 or 2 h before irradiation. Higher concentrations (5 and 10 microg/ml) however were less effective when administered 1 or 2 h before irradiation, but were more effective with increased time intervals (4 or 8 h) between RP-1 administration and irradiation. RP-1 pre-treatment also significantly inhibited radiation-induced MTT reduction in a concentration and time-dependent manner by decreasing gamma radiation-induced leakage of electrons from electron transport chain. Pre-irradiation administration of RP-1 significantly reduced both ROS and NO generation and enhanced glutathione levels, thereby inhibiting lipid peroxidation.

Cell Cycle↗

Modification of radiation damage to mitochondrial system in vivo by Podophyllum hexandrum: mechanistic aspects.

The present study was undertaken to investigate whether RP-1 treatment protected mitochondrial system against radiation damage and also to unravel the mechanism associated with this process. Radioprotection of mitochondrial system by Podophyllum hexandrum (RP-1) was investigated to understand its mechanism of action. Levels of superoxide anion (O2-), reduced or oxidized glutathione (GSH or GSSG), thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS), protein carbonyl (PC), ATP, NADH-ubiquinone oxidoreductase (complex-I), NADH-cytochrome c oxidoreductase (complex I/II), succinate-cytochrome c oxidoreductase (complex II/III) and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) were studied in mitochondria isolated from liver of mice belonging to various treatment groups. Whole body y-irradiation (10 Gy) significantly (p < 0.01) increased the formation of O2-, PC, and TBARS, upto 24 h as compared to untreated control. RP-1 treatment (200 mg/kg b.w.) to mice 2 h before irradiation reduced the radiation-induced O2- generation within 4 h and formation of TBARS and PC upto 24 h significantly (p < 0.01). Singularly irradiation or RP-1 treatment significantly (p < 0.01) increased the levels of glutathione within an hour, as compared to untreated control. Pre-irradiation administration of RP-1 enhanced levels of GSH induced increase in complex I (upto 16 h), complex I/III (4 h) complex II/III activity (upto 24 h; p < 0.01) and inhibited the radiation-induced decrease in MMP significantly (24 h; p < 0.01). The present study indicates that RP-1 itself modulates several mitichondrial perameters due to its influence on the biochemical milieu within and outside the cells. However, RP-1 treatment before irradiation modulates radiation induced perturbations such as the increase in electron transport chain enzyme activity, formation of O2-, TBARS and PC to offer radioprotection.

Animals↗

Radioprotective mechanism of Podophyllum hexandrum during spermatogenesis.

RP-1, a herbal preparation of Podophyllum hexandrum has already been reported to provide protection against whole body lethal gamma irradiation (10 Gy). It has also been reported to render radioprotection to germ cells during spermatogenesis. Present study was undertaken to unravel the cellular and molecular mechanism of action of RP-1 on testicular system in strain 'A' mice. Various antioxidant parameters such as thiol content, glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione reductase (GR), glutathione-S-transferase (GST) enzyme activity, lipid peroxidation (LPO) and total protein levels were investigated. Thiol content was seen to increase significantly (p < 0.05) in both RP-1 alone and RP-1 pretreated irradiated groups over the irradiated groups at 8, 16 and 24 h. Irradiation (10 Gy) significantly decreased GPx, GST and GR activity in comparison to untreated control but RP-1 treatment before irradiation significantly (p < 0.05) countered radiation-induced decrease in the activity of these enzymes. Radiation-induced LPO was also found to be reduced at all time intervals by RP-1 treatment before irradiation. As compared to irradiated group the protein content in testicular tissue was increased in RP-1 pretreated irradiated group at 4 and 16 h significantly (p < 0.05). Comets revealed by single-cell gel electrophoresis were significantly longer (p < 0.001) in irradiated mice than in unirradiated control. RP-1 treatment before irradiation, however, rendered significant increase (p < 0.05) in comet length over the corresponding control and irradiated group initially at 4 h but at later time points, this was reduced significantly (p < 0.01) as compared to the irradiated group. RP-1 treatment alone rendered shorter comets at 8, 16 and 24 h than irradiated groups (p < 0.001). This study implies that RP-1 offers radioprotection at biochemical and cytogenetic level by protecting antioxidant enzymes, reducing LPO and increasing thiol content.

Animals↗

Podophyllum hexandrum (Himalayan mayapple) extract provides radioprotection by modulating the expression of proteins associated with apoptosis.

Podophyllum hexandrum Royale (Himalayan mayapple), a high-altitude Himalayan plant, has been shown to provide over 80% whole-body radioprotection in mice. To investigate the radioprotective potential of P. hexandrum at the molecular level, expression patterns of various proteins associated with apoptosis were studied in the spleen of male Swiss albino strain A mice by immunoblotting. Treatment with P. hexandrum [200 mg/kg of body weight; an ethanolic 50% (w/v) extract delivered intraperitoneally] 2 h before irradiation resulted in MAPKAP (mitogen-activated protein kinase-activated protein) kinase-2 activation along with HSF-1 (heat-shock transcription factor-1), leading to up-regulation of HSP-70 (heat-shock protein-70) as compared with sham-irradiated (10 Gy) mice. Strong inhibition of AIF (apoptosis-inducing factor) expression was observed in the mice treated with P. hexandrum 2 h before irradiation as compared with the sham-irradiated group. Inhibition in the translocation of free NF-kappaB (nuclear factor kappaB) from cytoplasm to nucleus was observed upon P. hexandrum pretreatment 2 h before irradiation when compared with radiation-treated mice. P. hexandrum pre-treatment (2 h before irradiation) resulted in inhibition of NF-kappaB translocation, and the expression of tumour suppressor protein p53 was observed to be down-regulated as compared with sham-irradiated control. An increase in the expression of proteins responsible for cell proliferation [Bcl-2 (B-cell chronic lymphocytic lymphoma 2), Ras-GAP (Ras-GTPase-activating protein) and PCNA (proliferating cell nuclear antigen)] was observed in the P. hexandrum-pretreated irradiated mice as compared with sham-irradiated controls. Caspase 3 activation resulted PARP [poly(ADP-ribose) DNA polymerase] cleavage, and DNA degradation was strongly inhibited in the mice treated with P. hexandrm (+/-irradiation) as compared with the mice treated with radiation (+/-heat shock). The present study thus clearly demonstrated that P. hexandrum extract provides protection from gamma-radiation by the modulation of expression of proteins associated with cell death.

Animals↗

Evaluation of Podophyllum peltatum accessions for podophyllotoxin production.

In an effort to develop a sustainable source of podophyllotoxin for the production of anticancer drugs such as etoposide, teniposide and etopophos, Podophyllum peltatum accessions with podophyllotoxin-rich leaf biomass were identified and transplanted to different growing conditions by vegetative cuttings. Results indicate that the lignan profile in leaves does not change over time or due to environment conditions. Podophyllotoxin and alpha-peltatin content in the blades seems to be stable with an inverse relationship of concentration between these compounds. A podophyllotoxin-rich leaf accession showed low biosynthetic capability to synthesize alpha- and beta-peltatin and the converse was also true, indicating that selection and cultivation of high-yielding podophyllotoxin leaf biomass may reduce production costs.

Biomass↗