Sulfuretin

Int J Mol Sci. 2014 May 19;15(5):8863-77.

The cytoprotective effect of sulfuretin against tert-butyl hydroperoxide-induced hepatotoxicity through Nrf2/ARE and JNK/ERK MAPK-mediated heme oxygenase-1 expression.[Pubmed: 24857917]

Sulfuretin is one of the major flavonoid components in Rhus verniciflua Stokes (Anacardiaceae) isolates.
METHODS AND RESULTS:
In this study, we investigated the protective effects of Sulfuretin against tert-butyl hydroperoxide (t-BHP)-induced oxidative injury. The results indicated that the addition of Sulfuretin before t-BHP treatment significantly inhibited cytotoxicity and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in human liver-derived HepG2 cells. Sulfuretin up-regulated the activity of the antioxidant enzyme heme oxygenase (HO)-1 via nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) translocation into the nucleus and increased the promoter activity of the antioxidant response element (ARE). Moreover, Sulfuretin exposure enhanced the phosphorylation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2), which are members of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) family. Furthermore, cell treatment with a JNK inhibitor (SP600125) and ERK inhibitor (PD98059) reduced Sulfuretin-induced HO-1 expression and decreased its protective effects.
CONCLUSIONS:
Taken together, these results suggest that the protective effect of Sulfuretin against t-BHP-induced oxidative damage in human liver-derived HepG2 cells is attributable to its ability to scavenge ROS and up-regulate the activity of HO-1 through the Nrf2/ARE and JNK/ERK signaling pathways. Therefore, Sulfuretin could be advantageous as a bioactive source for the prevention of oxidative injury.

Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 2013 Feb 15;431(3):572-8.

Sulfuretin-induced miR-30C selectively downregulates cyclin D1 and D2 and triggers cell death in human cancer cell lines.[Pubmed: 23318178]

Sulfuretin (3',4',6'-trihydroxyaurone), one of the key flavonoids isolated from Rhus verniciflua, is known to suppress inflammation and oxidative stress. However, the anti-cancer properties of Sulfuretin as well as its mechanism of action remain poorly understood.
METHODS AND RESULTS:
Here, we show that the expression of miR-30C is markedly enhanced in Sulfuretin-stimulated cells, consequently promoting apoptosis and cell cycle arrest in human cancer cell lines. The transient transfection of pre-miR-30C resulted in greater than 70% growth inhibition in PC-3 cells and provided strong evidence that miR-30C selectively suppresses the expression of cyclin D1 and D2, but not cyclin D3. Target validation analysis revealed that 3'-UTR of cyclin D2 is a direct target of miR-30C, whereas suppression by miR-30C of cyclin D1 may occur through indirect mRNA regulation. In addition, silencing miR-30C expression partially reversed Sulfuretin-induced cell death.
CONCLUSIONS:
Taken together, our data suggest that miR-30C, a tumor suppressor miRNA, contributes to anti-cancer properties of Sulfuretin by negatively regulating cyclin D1 and D2, providing important implications of Sulfuretin and miR-30C for the therapeutic intervention of human cancers.

J Cell Biochem. 2012 Sep;113(9):2835-44.

Sulfuretin from heartwood of Rhus verniciflua triggers apoptosis through activation of Fas, Caspase-8, and the mitochondrial death pathway in HL-60 human leukemia cells.[Pubmed: 22492309]

Sulfuretin, a flavonoid isolated from heartwood of Rhus verniciflua, has been reported to have anti-cancer activities but the underlying molecular mechanism was not clear.
METHODS AND RESULTS:
In this study, Sulfuretin induced apoptosis by activating caspases-8, -9, and -3 as well as cleavage of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase. Furthermore, treatment with Sulfuretin caused mitochondrial dysfunctions, including the loss of mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨ(m)), the release of cytochrome c to the cytosol, and the translocations of Bax and tBid. Sulfuretin also activated the extrinsic apoptosis pathway, that is, it increased the expressions of Fas and FasL, the activation of caspase-8, and the cleavage of Bid. Furthermore, blocking the FasL-Fas interaction with NOK-1 monoclonal antibody prevented the Sulfuretin-induced apoptosis.
CONCLUSIONS:
The therapeutical effect of Sulfuretin in leukemia is due to its potent apoptotic activity through the extrinsic pathway driven by a Fas-mediated caspase-8-dependent pathway.

Neurochem Int. 2014 Jul;74:53-64.

Sulfuretin inhibits 6-hydroxydopamine-induced neuronal cell death via reactive oxygen species-dependent mechanisms in human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells.[Pubmed: 24801546]

Sulfuretin, a potent anti-oxidant, has been thought to provide health benefits by decreasing the risk of oxidative stress-related diseases.
METHODS AND RESULTS:
In this study, we investigated the mechanisms of Sulfuretin protection of neuronal cells from cell death induced by the Parkinson's disease (PD)-related neurotoxin 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA). We examined whether Sulfuretin acts as an anti-oxidant to reduce oxidative stress and mitochondrial-mediated apoptotic cascade events in 6-OHDA-induced neurotoxicity in SH-SY5Y cells. We also investigated whether Sulfuretin specifically acts by inhibiting phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt, and glycogen synthase kinase-3beta (GSK-3β) as well as activation of the nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) pathway. Sulfuretin significantly inhibited neuronal cell death, neurotoxicity, apoptosis, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. Sulfuretin also strikingly attenuated 6-OHDA-induced mitochondrial dysfunction. Moreover, Sulfuretin significantly attenuated 6-OHDA-induced phosphorylation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), p38, extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK 1/2) MAPKs, PI3K/Akt, and GSK-3β. Eventually, Sulfuretin inhibited 6-OHDA-induced NF-κB translocation to the nucleus induced by 6-OHDA. The results of the current study provide the first evidence that Sulfuretin protects SH-SY5Y cells against 6-OHDA-induced neuronal cell death, possibly through inhibition of phosphorylation of MAPK, PI3K/Akt, and GSK-3β, which leads to mitochondrial protection, NF-κB modulations and subsequent suppression of apoptosis via ROS-dependent pathways.
CONCLUSIONS:
Thus, we conclude that Sulfuretin may have a potential role for neuroprotection and, therefore, may be used as a therapeutic agent for PD.

Life Sci. 2012 May 22;90(19-20):799-807.

Sulfuretin, a major flavonoid isolated from Rhus verniciflua, ameliorates experimental arthritis in mice.[Pubmed: 22521292]

Sulfuretin, a major flavonoid isolated from Rhus verniciflua, is known to have anti-inflammatory effects. However, the mechanisms underlying the anti-inflammatory effect of Sulfuretin on rheumatoid arthritis have not been elucidated. In this study we investigated whether Sulfuretin treatment modulates the severity of arthritis in an experimental model.
METHODS AND RESULTS:
We evaluated the effects of Sulfuretin on tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)-treated human rheumatoid fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLS) in vitro and on collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) mice in vivo. In vitro experiments demonstrated that Sulfuretin suppressed the chemokine production, matrix metalloproteinase secretion, and cell proliferation induced by tumor necrosis factor-α in rheumatoid FLS. In addition, Sulfuretin inhibited the osteoclast differentiation induced by macrophage colony-stimulating factor and receptor activator of NF-κB ligand in bone marrow macrophages. In mice with CIA, early intervention with Sulfuretin prevented joint destruction, as evidenced by a lower cumulative disease incidence and an absence of diverse disease features based on hind paw thickness, radiologic and histopathologic findings, and inflammatory cytokine levels. In mice with established arthritis, Sulfuretin treatment significantly reduced synovial inflammation and joint destruction. The in vitro and in vivo protective effects of Sulfuretin were mediated by inhibition of the NF-κB signaling pathway.
CONCLUSIONS:
These results suggest that using Sulfuretin to block the NF-κB pathway in rheumatoid joints reduces both inflammatory responses and joint destruction. Therefore, Sulfuretin may have therapeutic value in preventing or delaying the progression of rheumatoid arthritis.