Development of a drug risk analysis and assessment system and its application in signal excavation and analysis of 263 cases of fluoroquinolone-induced adverse reactions.

Background: Adverse drug reaction (ADR) signal mining is essential for assessing drug safety. However, the currently available methods for this are rather cumbersome. Objective: We aimed to develop a drug risk analysis and assessment system using Java language and conduct pharmacovigilance data mining for fluoroquinolones at our hospital. Methods: We used ADR data reported by Shandong Provincial Third Hospital between July 2007 and August 2021. The signal detection methods included proportional reporting ratio (PRR), reporting odds ratio (ROR), Bayesian Confidence Propagation Neural Network (BCPNN), Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). The BCPNN method was used as the reference standard for comparing the remaining three signal detection methods based on sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and Jorden index. Results: The hospital database contained a total of 2,621 ADR reports, among which 263 were attributed to fluoroquinolones. There were 391 fluoroquinolone-ADR pairs. Using the PRR, ROR, MHRA, and BCPNN method, we detected 13 signals, 13 signals, 10 signals, and 11 weak signals, respectively. After signal detection, levofloxacin and moxifloxacin were shown to induce high risk signals for mental and sleep disorders, with the signal intensity of moxifloxacin being the most significant. Compared with BCPNN, the PRR and ROR methods showed better sensitivity, whereas the MHRA method showed better specificity. Conclusion: We developed a drug risk analysis and assessment system that can help hospitals and other medical institutions to detect and analyse ADR signals in the self-reporting system database, and thus improve drug safety. Further, it indicates that the central nervous system damage caused by fluoroquinolones should be monitored closely, and thus provides a reference for the clinical application of these drugs.

1082-39, an analogue of sorafenib, inhibited human cancer cell growth more potently than sorafenib.

PURPOSE: 1082-39, an analogue of sorafenib, is a derivative of indazole diarylurea. We evaluated the activity of 1082-39 against human cancer cell growth. Its effects and mechanisms of action were then compared with those of sorafenib. The experiments were performed in human melanoma M21 cells. METHODS: Cell viability was estimated by using the colorimetric assay. Annexin V-FITC/PI staining assay was used to recognize the apoptotic cells. Further analysis of the mitochondria membrane potential (MMP) was performed by the JC-1 fluorescence probe staining. The levels of apoptotic proteins and kinases related to cancer proliferation were determined by western blotting assay. RESULTS: 1082-39 possessed the activity against cancer cell proliferation with time- and dose-dependent manner. 1082-39 induced M21 cell to apoptosis, showing the increase of annexin V-FITC/PI staining cells, the MMP collapse and releasing cytochrome c from mitochondria. Western blotting analysis showed the activation of the mitochondria-mediated intrinsic pathway, showing the increase of cleaved caspase-9, cleaved caspase-3 and cleaved PARP. Statistical analysis suggested that 1082-39 possessed greater activities than sorafenib in the inhibition of M21 proliferation and induction of apoptosis. These effects of 1082-39 might arise from its activity of regulation the PI3K/Akt and Wnt/ß-catenin signaling pathways. CONCLUSIONS: 1082-39 is a promising candidate compound which could develop as a potent anticancer agent.

SL1122-37, a novel derivative of sorafenib, has greater effects than sorafenib on the inhibition of human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) growth and prevention of angiogenesis.

SL1122-37 is a novel derivative of sorafenib that was characterized by introducing trifluoromethyl on the 4-position of indazole. We aimed to evaluate the effects of SL1122- 37 on human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) growth and on umbilical vein vascular endothelial cells (HUVECs) angiogenesis. Its efficacy and mechanisms were compared with sorafenib. SL1122-37 significantly prevented PLC/PRF/5 cell proliferation as estimated by colorimetric assay. Flow cytometry analysis showed the induction of apoptosis and arrest of cell cycle in G1 phase. Western blotting showed the decrease of cyclin D1 and regulation of apoptotic proteins. Further analysis suggested that these effects of SL1122-37 might arise from its roles in the inhibition of multi-kinases, including c-Kit and its downstream targets and the Wnt/ß-catenin pathway in PLC/PRF/5 cells. SL1122-37 also possessed the activity of antiangiogenesis, showing the prevention of HUVEC migration and capillary tube formation. Western blotting indicated the inhibition of VEGF and phosphorylation of VEGFR-2 in HUVECs. Statistical analysis suggested that SL1122-37 might possess greater activities than sorafenib in the prevention of HCC proliferation and HUVEC angiogenesis. Conclusion, SL1122-37 could develop as a potent anticancer agent for the treatment of HCC.

SL-01, an oral derivative of gemcitabine, inhibited human breast cancer growth through induction of apoptosis.

UNLABELLED: SL-01 is an oral derivative of gemcitabine that was synthesized by introducing the moiety of 3-(dodecyloxycarbonyl) pyrazine-2-carbonyl at N4-position on cytidine ring of gemcitabine. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy of SL-01 on human breast cancer growth. SL-01 significantly inhibited MCF-7 proliferation as estimated by colorimetric assay. Flow cytometry assay indicated the apoptotic induction and cell cycle arrest in G1 phase. SL-01 modulated the expressions of p-ATM, p53 and p21 and decrease of cyclin D1 in MCF-7 cells. Further experiments were performed in a MCF-7 xenografts mouse model. SL-01 by oral administration strongly inhibited MCF-7 xenografts growth. This effect of SL-01 might arise from its roles in the induction of apoptosis. Immunohistochemistry assay showed the increase of TUNEL staining cells. Western blotting indicated the modulation of apoptotic proteins in SL-01-treated xenografts. During the course of study, there was no evidence of toxicity to mice. In contrast, the decrease of neutrophil cells in peripheral and increase of AST and ALT levels in serum were observed in the gemcitabine-treated mice. CONCLUSION: SL-01 possessed similar activity against human breast cancer growth with gemcitabine, whereas, with lower toxicity to gemcitabine. SL-01 is a potent oral agent that may supplant the use of gemcitabine.

Pharmacokinetics and metabolism of SL-01, a prodrug of gemcitabine, in rats.

PURPOSE: SL-01, dodecyl-3-((1-((2R,4R,5R)-3,3-difluoro-4-hydroxy-5-(hydroxymethyl)-tetrahydrofuran-2-yl)-2-oxo-1,2-dihydropyrimidin-4-yl) carbamoyl) pyrazine-2-carboxylate, is a prodrug of gemcitabine. Our previous reports suggested that SL-01 possesses superior bioavailability and anticancer activity to gemcitabine in mice. In this study, its pharmacokinetics and metabolisms were investigated in rats. METHODS: The pharmacokinetics of SL-01 was studied following intravenous or oral administration of SL-01 to Sprague-Dawley rats. The metabolites profile of SL-01 was further determined in rats receiving intravenous administration of SL-01. Blood samples were analyzed by using LC-MS or LC-MS/MS assay. RESULTS: Following administration with SL-01 intravenously or orally, SL-01, plasma gemcitabine released from SL-01 as well as the sum of gemcitabine (gemcitabine converted from SL-01 and plasma gemcitabine) exhibited higher values of V z /F and CL z /F, and longer MRT and t 1/2 than those of gemcitabine administered intravenously. The C max of gemcitabine produced by intravenous SL-01 was higher than that of gemcitabine dosed intravenously. The absolute bioavailability for the sum of gemcitabine was 32.2 % for intravenous and 22.2 % for oral administration with SL-01, respectively. After a single intravenous administration, a total of 5 components (M1, M2, M3, M4, and M5) were detected and identified as the metabolites of SL-01 in the plasma of rats. M1 and M2 were formed from the methylation and reduction of SL-01, respectively. Hydrolysis of the amide bond of SL-01 gave M3 and M4. M5 was produced from further dealkylation of M3. CONCLUSIONS: SL-01 displayed improved absorption, good distribution, high clearance, long mean residence time, and moderate bioavailability after administered intravenously or orally to rats. The major metabolic pathways of SL-01 involved methylation, reduction, hydrolysis, and dealkylation. These results suggested that SL-01 acts as a prodrug of gemcitabine in rats.

Acetyl-11-keto-ß-boswellic acid (AKBA) inhibits human gastric carcinoma growth through modulation of the Wnt/ß-catenin signaling pathway.

BACKGROUND: Acetyl-11-keto-beta-boswellic acid (AKBA) is a derivative of boswellic acid, an active component of Boswellia serrata gum resin. We examined the effect of AKBA on human gastric carcinoma growth and explored the underlying molecular mechanisms. METHODS: Inhibition of cancer cell growth was estimated by colorimetric and clonogenic assays. Cell cycle distribution was analyzed by flow cytometry and apoptosis determined using Annexin V-FITC/PI staining and DNA ladder quantification. After three weeks of oral AKBA administration in nude mice bearing cancer xenografts, animals were sacrificed and xenografts removed for TUNEL staining and western blot analysis. RESULTS: AKBA exhibited anti-cancer activity in vitro and in vivo. With oral application in mice, AKBA significantly inhibited SGC-7901 and MKN-45 xenografts without toxicity. This effect might be associated with its roles in cell cycle arrest and apoptosis induction. The results also showed activation of p21(Waf1/Cip1) and p53 in mitochondria and increased cleaved caspase-9, caspase-3, and PARP and Bax/Bcl-2 ratio after AKBA treatment. Further analysis suggested that these effects might arise from AKBA's modulation of the aberrant Wnt/ß-catenin signaling pathway. Upon AKBA treatment, ß-catenin expression in nuclei was inhibited, and membrane ß-catenin was activated. In the same sample, active GSK3ß was increased and its non-active form decreased. Levels of cyclin D1, PCNA, survivin, c-Myc, MMP-2, and MMP-7, downstream targets of Wnt/ß-catenin, were inhibited. CONCLUSIONS: AKBA effects on human gastric carcinoma growth were associated with its activity in modulating the Wnt/ß-catenin signaling pathway. GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE: AKBA could be useful in the treatment of gastric cancers.

Riccardin D-26, a synthesized macrocyclic bisbibenzyl compound, inhibits human hepatocellular carcinoma growth through induction of apoptosis in p53-dependent way.

Riccardin D-26 is a synthesized macrocyclic bisbibenzyl compound. We investigated the effect of Riccardin D-26 on human hepatocellular carcinomas. Riccardin D-26 possessed stronger activity against SMMC-7721 cells than human normal liver cells. Riccardin D-26 injection effectively delayed the growth of SMMC-7721 xenografts in mice without significant toxicity. This effect of Riccardin D-26 was associated with the status of p53 and its targets, bax and p21(Waf1)(/)(Cip1). Riccardin D-26 activated p53 expression and induced cancer cells to apoptosis through the p53-mediated transcription-dependent and -independent pathway. Overall, Riccardin D-26 may inhibit hepatocellular carcinoma growth through induction of apoptosis in p53-dependent pathway.

Complement activation associated with polysorbate 80 in beagle dogs.

Polysorbate 80 (Tween® 80) is the most extensively used surfactant in parenteral drug formulation. Its application as an adjunct for intravenous drug administration is approved by the Food and Drug Administration. However, severe hypersensitive reactions, which are typical non-immune anaphylactic reactions (pseudoallergy) characterized by the release of histamine and unvaried IgE antibodies, have been associated with Tween® 80. In order to explore the non-immune anaphylactic mechanisms of Tween® 80, we performed in vivo experiments to assess the changes in physiological and hematologic indicators after intravenous injection of Tween® 80 into dogs. Tween® 80 induced the release of histamine, and a 2-fold increase in SC5b-9, 2.5-fold increase in C4d, 1.3-fold increase in Bb, while IgE remained unchanged. It also produced changes in pulmonary pressure, systemic pressure and ECG. In in vitro experiments, Tween® 80 was incubated with dog serum in the presence of an inhibitor of complement activation (EGTA/Mg(2+)). Under these conditions, Tween® 80 increased the contents of C4d and Bb. The results of this study reveal that Tween® 80 can cause cardiopulmonary distress in dogs and activate the complement system through classical and alternative pathways as indicated in both in vivo and in vitro preparations. Moreover, they demonstrate the utility of the beagle dog as an animal model for the study of complement activation-related pseudoallergy. These findings raise concerns with regard to the indiscriminate use of Tween® 80 in clinical applications.