Cytoprotective effects of 5 benzophenones and a xanthone from Hypericum annulatum in models of epirubicin-induced cytotoxicity: SAR-analysis and mechanistic investigations

Med Chem. 2006 Jul;2(4):377-84. doi: 10.2174/157340606777724103.

Abstract

A new benzophenone O-glucoside neoannulatophenonoside (1) together with the known pinocembrin-7-O-glucoside were isolated from the aerial parts of Hyperium annulatum Moris (Guttiferae). The former was identified as 3',5',6-trihydroxy-4-methoxybenzophenone-2-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside by means of chemical and physical evidence. The cytoprotective effects of the new compound together with the previously isolated from this species hypericophenonoside (2), annulatophenone (3), annulatophenonoside (4), acetylannulatophenonoside (5) and 1,3,7-trihydroxyxanthone (6) were evaluated in a model of epirubicin-induced cellular toxicity in K-562 cells. While the benzophenone O-glycosides 1, 2, 4 and 5 exerted substantial cytoprotective effects against the epirubicin cytotoxicity in K-562 cells the aglycones 3 and 6 lacked any significant cytoprotective activity. Biochemical investigations aimed at evaluating the free-radical scavenging activity of the tested compounds as well as their effects on the cellular glutathione stores were carried out as well, aiming at unravelling the mechanisms of cytoprotection. Finally, the ability of 1, 4 and 5 to ameliorate epirubicin-induced anticlonogenic effects on bone marrow cells colony forming units, in vitro were also evaluated. Taken together, the experimental data indicate that the benzophenone glycosides isolated from H. annulatum have a substantial cytoprotective potential against the toxic effects induced by epirubicin and necessitates further detailed pharmacological evaluation of these compounds as possible chemoprotective/radioprotective agents.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Benzophenones / chemistry
  • Benzophenones / isolation & purification
  • Benzophenones / pharmacology*
  • Cell Survival / drug effects
  • Colony-Forming Units Assay
  • Cytoprotection / drug effects*
  • Epirubicin / pharmacology*
  • Free Radical Scavengers / chemistry
  • Free Radical Scavengers / isolation & purification
  • Free Radical Scavengers / pharmacology*
  • Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor / pharmacology
  • Humans
  • Hypericum / chemistry*
  • K562 Cells
  • Mice
  • Molecular Structure
  • Myeloid Progenitor Cells / drug effects
  • Myeloid Progenitor Cells / metabolism
  • Plant Components, Aerial / chemistry
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • Structure-Activity Relationship
  • Xanthones / chemistry
  • Xanthones / isolation & purification
  • Xanthones / pharmacology*

Substances

  • Benzophenones
  • Free Radical Scavengers
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • Xanthones
  • Epirubicin
  • Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor