Deoxypodophyllotoxin

Int J Biochem Cell Biol. 2013 Aug;45(8):1710-9.

Deoxypodophyllotoxin exerts both anti-angiogenic and vascular disrupting effects.[Pubmed: 23702033]

The anti-angiogenic and vascular disrupting activities of Deoxypodophyllotoxin (DPT), a natural microtubule destabilizer, were examined with several in vitro, ex vivo and/or in vivo models.
METHODS AND RESULTS:
First, we demonstrated that DPT significantly inhibits the proliferation, migration and tube formation of endothelial cells and inhibits angiogenesis in rat aortic ring and chick chorioallantoic membrane assays. In further studies, DPT induced cytoskeleton reorganization in endothelial cells, which likely contributed to the anti-angiogenic effect at non-cytotoxic concentrations. DPT treatment at higher concentrations for longer time induced the cell cycle arrest, which may contributes to its anti-proliferation effect and anti-angiogenic activity. And DPT dramatically inducted the expression of cyclin B1 and p21 (WAF1/CIP1). Meanwhile, DPT disrupted capillary-like networks in vitro and newly formed vessels from rat aortic rings. Endothelial cell contraction associated with an increase in F-actin via the Rho/Rho kinase pathway likely contributed to the vascular disrupting activity.
CONCLUSIONS:
Taken together, our results provided the initial evidence that DPT exerts potent anti-angiogenic and vascular disrupting effects. This study also provides important insight into the mechanism of action of promising new anticancer drugs with both anti-angiogenic and vascular disrupting activities.

Molecules. 2015 Jan 20;20(1):1661-75.

Deoxypodophyllotoxin induces G2/M cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in SGC-7901 cells and inhibits tumor growth in vivo.[Pubmed: 25608854]

Deoxypodophyllotoxin (DPT), a natural microtubule destabilizer, was isolated from Anthriscus sylvestris, and a few studies have reported its anti-cancer effect. However, the in vivo antitumor efficacy of DPT is currently indeterminate.
METHODS AND RESULTS:
In this study, we investigated the anti-gastric cancer effects of DPT both in vitro and in vivo. Our data showed that DPT inhibited cancer cell proliferation and induced G2/M cell cycle arrest accompanied by an increase in apoptotic cell death in SGC-7901 cancer cells. In addition, DPT caused cyclin B1, Cdc2 and Cdc25C to accumulate, decreased the expression of Bcl-2 and activated caspase-3 and PARP, suggesting that caspase-mediated pathways were involved in DPT-induced apoptosis. Animal studies revealed that DPT significantly inhibited tumor growth and decreased microvessel density (MVD) in a xenograft model of gastric cancer.
CONCLUSIONS:
Taken together, our findings provide a framework for further exploration of DPT as a novel chemotherapeutic for human gastric cancer.

Neurotoxicology. 2010 Dec;31(6):680-6.

Pharmacological effect of deoxypodophyllotoxin: a medicinal agent of plant origin, on mammalian neurons.[Pubmed: 20705089 ]

Deoxypodophyllotoxin (DOP) is a natural product that can be isolated from a variety of medicinal herb plants. It is well known for its antitumor, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory activities. However, there are few investigations that address neurotoxic effect of DOP in animal nervous system.
METHODS AND RESULTS:
In this study, whole-cell patch clamp and calcium imaging techniques were employed to investigate effects of DOP on electrophysiological properties and calcium regulation of rat dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons. DOP inhibited both TTX-S (tetrodotoxin-sensitive) and TTX-R (tetrodotoxin-resistant) sodium currents in voltage clamp recording and caused a decrease in the number of action potentials (APs) in current clamp experiment. Suppressive and unfavorable effects of DOP on the kinetics of sodium currents in terms of excitability of DRG neurons may greatly contribute to its antitumor and anti-inflammatory activities. Moreover, DOP evoked increase of intracellular Ca(2+) concentrations ([Ca(2+)](i)) in DRG neurons, and this effect may lead to neuronal cytotoxicity.

Pest Manag Sci. 2004 Nov;60(11):1131-6.

Insecticidal activity of deoxypodophyllotoxin, isolated from Juniperus sabina L, and related lignans against larvae of Pieris rapae L.[Pubmed: 15532689 ]

In the course of screening for naturally occurring insecticides from plants from the northwestern part of China, a petroleum ether extract of Juniperus sabina L was found to show insecticidal activity against fifth-instar larvae of Pieris rapae L.
METHODS AND RESULTS:
From the extract, an insecticidal compound was isolated by bioassay-guided fractionation. The compound was identified as Deoxypodophyllotoxin (1) by comparison of its spectroscopic characteristics with literature data. In bioassays, 1 showed antifeedant activity against fifth-instar larvae of P rapae at 0.05-1.00 g litre(-1) and its AFC50 (concentration for 50% antifeedant activity) values at 12 and 48h were 0.170 and 0.060 g litre(-1), respectively. In that concentration range, all treated insects died within 48 h after treatment and compound 1 showed delayed insecticidal activity. At 0.015-0.100 g litre(-1), 1 showed insecticidal activity, with an LC50 of 0.020 g litre(-1). The related compound deoxypicropodophyllotoxin (2), however, showed lower antifeedant and insecticidal activities than 1 in bioassay.
CONCLUSIONS:
This indicated that the trans-lactone ring is an important moiety for enhancing activity in these compounds. Comparison of the insecticidal activities of 1 and another related compound, podophyllotoxin (3), suggested that varying the substituent at C-4 is an exciting possibility for synthesizing more potent analogues.

Pharmacol Rep . 2017 Oct;69(5):878-884.

Deoxypodophyllotoxin induces cytoprotective autophagy against apoptosis via inhibition of PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway in osteosarcoma U2OS cells[Pubmed: 28623712]

Abstract Background: A natural compound Deoxypodophyllotoxin (DPT) possesses potent anti-proliferative and anti-tumor properties on several cancer types. It triggers cell cycle arrest followed by apoptosis through various cellular processes. However, it is limited to the action mechanism of DPT-mediated cell death modes via apoptosis and autophagy. Methods: Cell viability assay, morphological changes, annexin-V/propidium iodide (PI) assay, reactive oxygen species (ROS), acridine orange staining, and Western blot analyses were evaluated. Results: We demonstrated that DPT induced both apoptosis and autophagy via production of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS). DPT suppressed the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling cascades to lead autophagy process, resulting from conversion of light chain 3-I (LC3-I) into LC3-II and acidic vesicular organelles (AVOs) formation. Even if DPT-induced ROS were occurred in both apoptosis and autophagy, inhibition of ROS generation enhanced cell viability. Otherwise, 3-methyladeine (3-MA) impeding on autophagy accelerated an apoptotic response caused by DPT. Therefore, these findings suggest that DPT triggers cytoprotective autophagy against cytotoxic apoptosis. Conclusion: Autophagy is required for cell survival by inhibition of apoptosis through down-regulation of PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway against DPT-induced apoptosis in U2OS cells. Keywords: Apoptosis; DPT; Deoxypodophyllotoxin; ROS; Reactive oxygen species.

Planta Med. 2004 May;70(5):474-6.

Deoxypodophyllotoxin, a naturally occurring lignan, inhibits the passive cutaneous anaphylaxis reaction.[Pubmed: 15124098]

This study examined the effect of a podophyllotoxin derivative, Deoxypodophyllotoxin (anthricin), which is a medicinal herb product isolated from Anthriscus sylvestris Hoffm.
METHODS AND RESULTS:
Deoxypodophyllotoxin was tested in a rat PCA (passive cutaneous anaphylaxis) assay by administering Deoxypodophyllotoxin intraperitoneally (1.0 to 10 mg/kg, i.p.) and intravenously (0.25 to 1.0 mg/kg, i.v.). Deoxypodophyllotoxin dose-dependently inhibited the PCA reaction activated by anti-dinitrophenyl (DNP) IgE. The PCA inhibitory activity of Deoxypodophyllotoxin was stronger than those of prednisolone and indomethacin, which were used as positive controls.
CONCLUSIONS:
These results suggest that Deoxypodophyllotoxin may be beneficial in regulating the immediate-type allergic reaction.

Biol Pharm Bull. 2010;33(1):1-5.

Deoxypodophyllotoxin inhibits the expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 induced by tumor necrosis factor-alpha in murine lung epithelial cells.[Pubmed: 20045926]

Intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) is associated with processes of inflammation.
METHODS AND RESULTS:
We investigated the effects of Deoxypodophyllotoxin (DPT) on tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) induced ICAM-1 expression in the mouse lung epithelial cell line, LA4. DPT (5 to 20 nM) inhibited TNF-alpha-induced ICAM-1 expression through nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kappaB) in a dose-dependent manner and repressed ICAM-1 promoter activity. NF-kappaB reporter gene activity and DNA binding activity were also strongly inhibited. In addition, DPT inhibited degradation by the TNF-alpha induced inhibitory kappaB-alpha (IkappaB-alpha) in a concentration-dependent manner.
CONCLUSIONS:
Taken together with our previous results suggest DPT might provide a basis for novel anti-inflammatory drug development.

Pharmacol Rep. 2015 Apr;67(2):245-52.

Antineoplastic effects of deoxypodophyllotoxin, a potent cytotoxic agent of plant origin, on glioblastoma U-87 MG and SF126 cells.[Pubmed: 25712646]

Deoxypodophyllotoxin (DPT) is a semi-synthetic compound derived from the extract of Dysosma versipellis (Hance) M. Cheng, one of the most popular Chinese herbal medicines. The present study evaluates the in vitro cytotoxicity of Deoxypodophyllotoxin on a wide panel of human cancer cell lines and investigates its molecular mechanism of action on high grade glioma U-87 MG and SF126 cells.
METHODS AND RESULTS:
The growth inhibitory effect of Deoxypodophyllotoxin on different types of human cancer cells was measured by the Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay. For the elucidation of the nature of the cellular response to DPT-treatment; flow cytometry-based assays, light and fluorescent microscopy, caspase colorimetric and inhibition assays, and Western blot analysis were performed. Our data show that Deoxypodophyllotoxin possesses a potent growth-inhibitory action, with IC50 values in nanomolar ranges. Cell cycle analysis revealed G2/M phase arrest in a dose- and time-dependent manner before cell death occurred. Additional studies indicated that Deoxypodophyllotoxin induced G2 arrest in U-87 MG cells by decreasing the expression of Cdc2, cyclin B1, and Cdc25C proteins. In contrast, DPT failed to down-regulate these cell cycle regulatory molecules in SF126 glioblastoma cells and stopped the cell cycle at M phase. Interestingly, morphological changes and biochemical markers such as phosphatydylserine externalization, DNA fragmentation, and caspase activation, confirmed that DPT-treatment resulted in an induction of apoptosis in both examined cell lines via caspase-dependent pathways.
CONCLUSIONS:
Taken together, our data demonstrated that Deoxypodophyllotoxin possesses a potent in vitro cytotoxic activity and exerts its effect via G2/M arrest and apoptosis.

Planta Med. 2006 Jul;72(9):786-91.

Deoxypodophyllotoxin (DPT) inhibits eosinophil recruitment into the airway and Th2 cytokine expression in an OVA-induced lung inflammation.[Pubmed: 16732515 ]

The effect of Deoxypodophyllotoxin (DPT) isolated from Anthriscus sylvestris Hoffm. was evaluated in an IN VIVO animal model for antiasthmatic activity.
METHODS AND RESULTS:
DPT (1.0 to 5 mg/kg) was given orally to ovalbumin (OVA)/alum-induced asthmatic mice. DPT reduced the number of infiltrated eosinophils in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid in a dose-dependent manner. Dexamethasone (5 mg/kg), which was used as a positive control, also strongly inhibited the number of infiltrated eosinophils. The effect of DPT on a transcript profile in a murine asthma model was determined by RT-PCR, which showed that DPT decreased the mRNA levels of the Th2 cytokines. Northern blot analysis showed that DPT also reduced both the eotaxin and arginase I mRNA levels in a dose-dependent manner.

Planta Med. 2004 Apr;70(4):378-80.

Deoxypodophyllotoxin reduces skin pigmentation of brown Guinea pigs.[Pubmed: 15095159 ]

In this report, we have demonstrated that Deoxypodophyllotoxin from Anthriscus sylvestris (L.) Hoffm decreases UV-induced skin pigmentation of brown guinea pigs.
METHODS AND RESULTS:
Deoxypodophyllotoxin (0.05 % in propylene glycol: ethanol: water = 5 : 3:2) was topically applied twice daily for two weeks to dorsal skin of brown guinea pigs that were exposed to UV irradiation using a solar simulator. Visual inspection and Fontana-Masson staining both demonstrated that Deoxypodophyllotoxin reduced skin pigmentation and total epidermal melanin when compared to that of vehicle-treated areas, suggesting that Deoxypodophyllotoxin maybe applicable to treat hyperpigmentation.