Tanshinone-IIA-Based Analogues of Imidazole Alkaloid Act as Potent Inhibitors To Block Breast Cancer Invasion and Metastasis in Vivo

J Med Chem. 2018 Dec 13;61(23):10488-10501. doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.8b01018. Epub 2018 Nov 19.

Abstract

Tanshinone-IIA (Tan-IIA), a primary active component extracted from commonly used Chinese herbal, Salvia miltiorrhiza (Danshen), is considered as a potential inhibitor against tumor cell proliferation. However, the potential application of Tan-IIA is hindered by its poor water solubility and low bioavailability. In this work, an imidazole moiety was linked to the skeleton of Tan-IIA to enhance its antitumor activity. A series of Tan-IIA-based analogues TA01-TA12 were synthesized, and their inhibitory activities against the migration and invasion of MDA-MB-231 cells were investigated. All compounds, particularly TA12, markedly inhibited the proliferation, migration, and invasion of MDA-MB-231cells. TA12 also prominently blocked cancer cell metastasis in blood vessels and surrounding tissues in zebrafish xenograft model. Further studies showed that the mechanisms may involve S-phase arrest pathway, which was probably caused by inducing reactive oxygen species production and activating DNA damage. These results indicated that the Tan-IIA-based analogues of imidazole derivates can act as potent antimetastasis agents.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Abietanes / chemistry*
  • Alkaloids / chemistry*
  • Animals
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / chemistry*
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / pharmacology*
  • Apoptosis / drug effects
  • Breast Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Movement / drug effects
  • Humans
  • Imidazoles / chemistry*
  • Imidazoles / pharmacology*
  • Models, Molecular
  • Molecular Conformation
  • Neoplasm Invasiveness
  • Neoplasm Metastasis
  • Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays
  • Zebrafish

Substances

  • Abietanes
  • Alkaloids
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic
  • Imidazoles
  • tanshinone
  • imidazole