Simplified Derivatives of Tetrandrine as Potent and Specific P-gp Inhibitors to Reverse Multidrug Resistance in Cancer Chemotherapy

J Med Chem. 2023 Mar 23;66(6):4086-4105. doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.2c02061. Epub 2023 Mar 9.

Abstract

Targeted inhibition of a drug efflux transporter P-glycoprotein (P-gp) is an important strategy to reverse multidrug resistance in cancer chemotherapy. In this study, a rationally structural simplification to natural tetrandrine was performed based on molecular dynamics simulation and fragment growth, leading to an easily prepared, novel, and simplified compound OY-101 with high reversal activity and low cytotoxicity. Its excellent synergistic anti-cancer effect with vincristine (VCR) against drug-resistant cells Eca109/VCR was confirmed by reversal activity assay, flow cytometry, plate clone formation assay, and drug synergism analysis (IC50 = 9.9 nM, RF = 690). Further mechanism study confirmed that the OY-101 was a specific and efficient P-gp inhibitor. Importantly, OY-101 increased VCR sensitization in vivo without obvious toxicity. Overall, our findings may provide an alternative strategy for the design of novel specific P-gp inhibitor as an anti-tumor chemotherapy sensitizer.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Member 1*
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Drug Resistance, Multiple
  • Drug Resistance, Neoplasm
  • Neoplasms*
  • Vincristine / pharmacology

Substances

  • tetrandrine
  • ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Member 1
  • Vincristine