Novel Resveratrol-Based Aspirin Prodrugs: Synthesis, Metabolism, and Anticancer Activity

J Med Chem. 2015 Aug 27;58(16):6494-506. doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.5b00536. Epub 2015 Aug 5.

Abstract

Regular aspirin use has been convincingly shown to reduce the risk of colorectal cancer. However, long-term use of aspirin leads to gastrotoxicity. Herein, we designed and synthesized a novel class of resveratrol-based aspirin prodrugs to simultaneously release aspirin and resveratrol to attenuate the side effects caused by aspirin. Prodrug RAH exerted enhanced anticancer activities which are better than a physical mixture of aspirin and resveratrol as well as each individually. Metabolism of RAH in mice showed that the majority of RAH is decomposed to release resveratrol and aspirin or salicylic acid either in the intestine or after absorption. Mechanistic studies demonstrate RAH inhibits cell cycle arrest through downregulation of cyclins and induces apoptosis by activation of caspase-3 in cancer cells. These findings highlighted the improved anticancer properties of resveratrol-based aspirin prodrugs. RAH may represent novel and safe alternatives of aspirin for the purpose of daily use in the future.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antineoplastic Agents / chemical synthesis*
  • Antineoplastic Agents / metabolism
  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology*
  • Antioxidants / chemistry*
  • Antioxidants / pharmacology*
  • Apoptosis / drug effects
  • Aspirin / analogs & derivatives*
  • Aspirin / chemistry*
  • Aspirin / pharmacology
  • Caspase 3 / metabolism
  • Cell Cycle / drug effects
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cyclins / biosynthesis
  • Enzyme Activation / drug effects
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Intestinal Absorption
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Prodrugs / chemical synthesis*
  • Prodrugs / metabolism
  • Prodrugs / pharmacology
  • Resveratrol
  • Stilbenes / chemistry*
  • Stilbenes / pharmacology*

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Antioxidants
  • Cyclins
  • Prodrugs
  • Stilbenes
  • Caspase 3
  • Resveratrol
  • Aspirin