村上 明

The polymethoxyflavonoid (PMF), nobiletin (NOB), specifically occurs in citrus fruits, and is currently believed to be a promising anti-inflammatory and antitumor promoting agent, In the present study, we investigated the in vitro absorption and metabolism of NOB and compared them with those of the polyhydroxyflavonoid (PHF), luteolin (LT), NOB preferentially accumulated in a differentiated Caco-2 cell monolayer, which is a model for small intestinal epithelial cells, while LT did not, Treatment of NOB with a rat liver S-9 mixture led to the formation of 3'-demethyl-NOB, while that of LT did not, We thus suggest that PMFs including NOB have properties distinct from those of general flavonoids for absorption and metabolism in vitro.

The efficacy of the antitumor activity of 1'-acetoxychavicol acetate (ACA), reported to be a suppressor of chemically induced carcinogenesis, was evaluated in Ehrlich ascites tumor cells. ACA treatment resulted in changes in morphology and a dose-dependent suppression of cell viability. Apoptosis, characterized by nuclear condensation, membrane blebbing, cell shrinkage and a significant induction of caspase-3-like protease activity at 8 h in a time-course study were observed. Formation of apoptotic bodies was preceded by lowering of intracellular polyamines, particularly putrescine, and both dose- and time-dependent inhibitory and activation effect by ACA on ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) and spermidine/spermine N-1-acetyltransferase (SSAT), respectively. Administration of exogenous polyamines prevented ACA-induced apoptosis represented by a reduction in the number of apoptotic bodies and also caused reduction in the induced caspase-3-like protease activity at 8 h. These findings suggest that the anticarcinogenic effects of ACA might be partly due to perturbation of the polyamine metabolic pathway and triggering of caspase-3-like activity, which result in apoptosis.

We investigated the suppressive effects of an avocado constituent, persenone A, on lipopolysaccharide- and interferon-gamma -induced inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase (COX-2) in a mouse macrophage cell line RAW 264.7. Persenone A at concentration of 20 muM almost completely suppressed both iNOS and COX-2 protein expression. In mouse skin, double treatments with persenone A (810 nmol) significantly suppressed double 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA, 8.1 nmol) application-induced hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) generation. Treatment with persenone A before the second TPA treatment was sufficient to inhibit H2O2 generation, while the first treatment was not. This study thus suggests that persenone A is a possible agent to prevent inflammation-associated diseases including cancer.

We have previously reported that persenone A, isolated from avocado fruit, is an effective inhibitor of both nitric oxide (NO) and superoxide (O-2(-)) generation in cell culture systems. In this study, we have prepared four persenone A-related compounds and examined their inhibition of NO and O-2(-) generation from inflammatory leukocytes. Some structural importance in persenone A to attenuate free radical generation is discussed.

We have previously reported that persenone A, isolated from avocado fruit, is an effective inhibitor of both nitric oxide (NO) and superoxide (O-2(-)) generation in cell culture systems. In this study, we have prepared four persenone A-related compounds and examined their inhibition of NO and O-2(-) generation from inflammatory leukocytes. Some structural importance in persenone A to attenuate free radical generation is discussed.

We investigated the suppressive effects of an avocado constituent, persenone A, on lipopolysaccharide- and interferon-gamma -induced inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase (COX-2) in a mouse macrophage cell line RAW 264.7. Persenone A at concentration of 20 muM almost completely suppressed both iNOS and COX-2 protein expression. In mouse skin, double treatments with persenone A (810 nmol) significantly suppressed double 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA, 8.1 nmol) application-induced hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) generation. Treatment with persenone A before the second TPA treatment was sufficient to inhibit H2O2 generation, while the first treatment was not. This study thus suggests that persenone A is a possible agent to prevent inflammation-associated diseases including cancer.

The modifying effects of topical application of the phenolic antioxidant protocatechuic acid (PA) on 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA)-induced mouse skin tumor promotion were investigated. Dimethylbenz[a]anthracene-initiated female ICR mice were treated with TPA (1.6 nmol) twice weekly for 20 weeks to promote papilloma formation. Pre-treatment with 16 nmol PA 30 min prior to each TPA treatment significantly inhibited the number of papillomas per mouse by 52% (P < 0.05). On the other hand, PA pre-treatment at a high dose (1600 nmol) significantly enhanced tumor numbers by 38% (P < 0.05). Interestingly, in the group treated with a quite high dose (20000 nmol) of PA 5 min prior to each TPA application, the average number of tumors per mouse was reduced by 38%, whereas the same PA dose 3 h before TPA treatment significantly enhanced tumor numbers by 84% (P < 0.01). These results suggested that topically applied PA was converted to compound(s) lacking antioxidative properties and/or rather possessing the potential to enhance tumor development. A similar tendency was also observed in the short-term experiment of TPA-induced inflammation and oxidative stress; i.e. two groups pretreated with PA at 20 000 nmol, 30 min and 3 h before TPA treatment, did not show suppression or even significantly enhanced TPA-induced leukocyte infiltration, H2O2 generation, thiobarbituric acid-reacting substances level and proliferating cell nuclear antigen index, while PA treatment together with TPA significantly suppressed these parameters. Treatment with a high dose (20 000 nmol) of PA alone for 3 h enhanced oxidative stress by reducing glutathione levels in mouse skin, which was counteracted by the tyrosinase inhibitor arbutin, Oxidative stress responses such as leukocyte infiltration and H2O2 generation were also counteracted by arbutin, These results suggested that tyrosinase-dependent oxidative metabolism of PA was at least partially involved in the enhanced effects of PA on TPA-induced inflammatory responses and thus tumor promotion.

Auraptene (AUR), a citrus coumarin derivative, is one of the promising chemopreventive agents against skin, tongue, esophagus and colon carcinogenesis in rodents, We reported previously that AUR suppresses superoxide anion (O-2(-)) generation from inflammatory leukocytes in in vitro experiments, In the present study, we investigated the antiinflammatory activities of AUR using a 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate-treated mouse skin model, and compared them with those nf umbelliferone (UMB), a structural analog of AUR that is virtually inactive toward O-2(-) generation inhibition. Double pre-treatments of mouse skin with AUR, but not UMB, markedly suppressed edema formation, hydrogen peroxide production, leukocyte infiltration, and the rate of proliferating cell nuclear antigen-stained cells. These inhibitory effects by AUR are attributable to its selective blockade of the activation stage, as revealed by single pre-treatment experiments. In a murine macrophage line, RAW 264.7, AUR significantly attenuated the lipopolysaccharide-induced protein expression of inducible isoforms of both nitric oxide synthase and cyclooxygenase, with decreased production of nitrite anion and prostaglandin E-2, and yet suppressed the release of tumor necrosis factor-alpha. Conversely, UMB did not show any inhibitory effect, This contrasting activity profile between AUR and UMB was rationalized to be a result of their distinct differences in cellular uptake efficiencies, i.e. the geranyloxyl group in AUR was found to play an essential role in incorporation Thus, our findings indicate that AUR is an effective agent to attenuate the biochemical responsiveness of inflammatory leukocytes, which may be essential for a greater understanding of the action mechanism that underlies its inhibition of inflammation-associated carcinogenesis.

Auraptene (AUR), a citrus coumarin derivative, is one of the promising chemopreventive agents against skin, tongue, esophagus and colon carcinogenesis in rodents, We reported previously that AUR suppresses superoxide anion (O-2(-)) generation from inflammatory leukocytes in in vitro experiments, In the present study, we investigated the antiinflammatory activities of AUR using a 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate-treated mouse skin model, and compared them with those nf umbelliferone (UMB), a structural analog of AUR that is virtually inactive toward O-2(-) generation inhibition. Double pre-treatments of mouse skin with AUR, but not UMB, markedly suppressed edema formation, hydrogen peroxide production, leukocyte infiltration, and the rate of proliferating cell nuclear antigen-stained cells. These inhibitory effects by AUR are attributable to its selective blockade of the activation stage, as revealed by single pre-treatment experiments. In a murine macrophage line, RAW 264.7, AUR significantly attenuated the lipopolysaccharide-induced protein expression of inducible isoforms of both nitric oxide synthase and cyclooxygenase, with decreased production of nitrite anion and prostaglandin E-2, and yet suppressed the release of tumor necrosis factor-alpha. Conversely, UMB did not show any inhibitory effect, This contrasting activity profile between AUR and UMB was rationalized to be a result of their distinct differences in cellular uptake efficiencies, i.e. the geranyloxyl group in AUR was found to play an essential role in incorporation Thus, our findings indicate that AUR is an effective agent to attenuate the biochemical responsiveness of inflammatory leukocytes, which may be essential for a greater understanding of the action mechanism that underlies its inhibition of inflammation-associated carcinogenesis.

The modifying effects of topical application of the phenolic antioxidant protocatechuic acid (PA) on 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA)-induced mouse skin tumor promotion were investigated. Dimethylbenz[a]anthracene-initiated female ICR mice were treated with TPA (1.6 nmol) twice weekly for 20 weeks to promote papilloma formation. Pre-treatment with 16 nmol PA 30 min prior to each TPA treatment significantly inhibited the number of papillomas per mouse by 52% (P < 0.05). On the other hand, PA pre-treatment at a high dose (1600 nmol) significantly enhanced tumor numbers by 38% (P < 0.05). Interestingly, in the group treated with a quite high dose (20000 nmol) of PA 5 min prior to each TPA application, the average number of tumors per mouse was reduced by 38%, whereas the same PA dose 3 h before TPA treatment significantly enhanced tumor numbers by 84% (P < 0.01). These results suggested that topically applied PA was converted to compound(s) lacking antioxidative properties and/or rather possessing the potential to enhance tumor development. A similar tendency was also observed in the short-term experiment of TPA-induced inflammation and oxidative stress; i.e. two groups pretreated with PA at 20 000 nmol, 30 min and 3 h before TPA treatment, did not show suppression or even significantly enhanced TPA-induced leukocyte infiltration, H2O2 generation, thiobarbituric acid-reacting substances level and proliferating cell nuclear antigen index, while PA treatment together with TPA significantly suppressed these parameters. Treatment with a high dose (20 000 nmol) of PA alone for 3 h enhanced oxidative stress by reducing glutathione levels in mouse skin, which was counteracted by the tyrosinase inhibitor arbutin, Oxidative stress responses such as leukocyte infiltration and H2O2 generation were also counteracted by arbutin, These results suggested that tyrosinase-dependent oxidative metabolism of PA was at least partially involved in the enhanced effects of PA on TPA-induced inflammatory responses and thus tumor promotion.

The intake of citrus fruits has been suggested as a way to prevent the development of some types of human cancer. Nitric oxide (NO) is closely associated with the processes of epithelial carcinogenesis. We attempted a search for NO generation inhibitors in Cia rcs unshiu. The active constituent was traced by an activity-guiding separation. NO and superoxide (O(2)(-)) generation was induced by a combination of lipopolysaccharide and IFN-gamma in mouse macrophage RAW 264.7 cells, and by 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) in differentiated human promyelocyte HL-60, respectively. Expression of inducible NO synthase and cyclooxygenase 2 proteins were detected by Western blotting, The in vivo anti-inflammatory and antitumor promoting activities were evaluated by topical TPA application to ICR mouse skin with measurement of edema formation, epidermal thickness, leukocyte infiltration, hydrogen peroxide production, and the rate of proliferating cell nuclear antigen-stained cells. As a result, nobiletin, a polymethoxyflavonoid, was identified as an inhibitor of both NO and O(2)(-) generation, Nobiletin significantly inhibited two distinct stages of skin inflammation induced by double TPA application [first stage priming (leukocyte infiltration) and second stage activation (oxidative insult by leukocytes)] by decreasing the inflammatory parameters. It also suppressed the expression of cyclooxygenase-2 and inducible NO synthase proteins and prostaglandin E(2) release. Nobiletin inhibited dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (0.19 mu mol)/TPA (1.6 nmol)-induced skin tumor formation at doses of 160 and 320 nmol by reducing the number of tumors per mouse by 61.2% (P < 0.001) and 75.7% (P < 0.001), respectively. The present study suggests that nobiletin is a functionally novel and possible chemopreventive agent in inflammation-associated tumorigenesis.

We have developed a simple system for rapid detection and measurement of glutathione S-transferase placental form (GSTP1) that detoxify polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons using the cultured rat normal liver epithelial cell line, (RL34) cells. Survey of fruit extracts for GST inducing ability identified both papaya and avocado as significant sources. Benzyl isothiocyanate (BITC) was isolated from papaya methanol extract as a principal inducer of GST activity. Further, the GST inducing ability of a total of 20 isothiocyanates (ITCs) and their derivatives was investigated. Some ITCs showed significant induction, and BITC was one of the most potent inducers among all compounds tested in the present study. The modification of isothiocyanate group (-NCS) or introduction of substituent group to the a-carbon modifies GST induction. Moreover, a significant correlation (P < 0.01, r = 0.913) between the GST activity enrichment and GSTP1 protein induction by ITCs was observed. We also indicated that phenethyl ITC and nitrophenyl ITC, potently inducing GST activity, but not inactive benzyl isocyanate, are potential inducers of intracellular reactive oxygen intermediates (ROIs). Our system of GSTP1 induction is appropriate for the chemical research such as screening and identification of novel type of inducers as well as the structure-activity relationship studies, providing mechanistic insight into essential structural elements for GSTP1 induction. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Ester compounds consisting of ferulic acid and myo-inositol, obtained from rice bran, were synthesized. The inhibitory effects of these feruloyl-myo-inositols on 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA)-induced superoxide (O-2(-)) generation were examined using differentiated HL-60 cells. Among the derivatives tested, only 3,4,5,6-tetra-O-acetyl- 1,2-di-O-[3-(4'-acetoxy-3'-methoxyphenyl)-2-propenoyl]-myo-inositol (3) showed a distinct inhibitory activity. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.

Ester compounds consisting of ferulic acid and myo-inositol, obtained from rice bran, were synthesized. The inhibitory effects of these feruloyl-myo-inositols on 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA)-induced superoxide (O-2(-)) generation were examined using differentiated HL-60 cells. Among the derivatives tested, only 3,4,5,6-tetra-O-acetyl- 1,2-di-O-[3-(4'-acetoxy-3'-methoxyphenyl)-2-propenoyl]-myo-inositol (3) showed a distinct inhibitory activity. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.

The modifying effects of dietary feeding of a polyisoprenylated benzophenone, garcinol, isolated from Garcinia indica fruit rind on the development of azoxymethane (AOM)-induced colonic aberrant crypt foci (ACF) were investigated in male F344 rats. We also assessed the effects of garcinol on proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) index in ACF and activities of detoxifying enzymes of glutathione S-transferase (GST) and quinone reductase (QR) in liver. In addition, we examined the effects of garcinol on 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate-induced O(2)(-) generation in differentiated human promyelocytic HL-60 cells and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)- and interferon (IFN)-gamma-induced nitric oxide (NO) generation in mouse macrophage RAW 264.7 cells. Western blotting analysis of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression was done in LPS- and IFN-gamma-treated mouse macrophage RAW 264.7 cells. Rats were given subcutaneous injections of AOM (15 mg/kg body wt) once a week for 3 weeks to induce ACF, They also received the experimental diet containing 0.01 or 0.05% garcinol for 5 weeks, starting 1 week before the first dosing of AOM, AOM exposure produced 97 +/- 15 ACF/rat at the end of the study (week 5), Dietary administration of garcinol caused significant reduction in the frequency of ACF: 72 +/- 15 (26% reduction, P < 0.01) at a dose of 0.01% and 58 +/- 8 (40% reduction, P < 0.001) at a dose of 0.05%. Garcinol administration significantly lowered PCNA index in ACF. Feeding of garcinol significantly elevated liver GST and QR activities. In addition, garcinol could suppress O(2)(-) and NO generation and expression of iNOS and COX-2 proteins. These findings might suggest possible chemopreventive ability of garcinol, through induction of liver GST and QR, inhibition of O(2)(-) and NO generation and/or suppression of iNOS and COX-2 expression, on colon tumorigenesis.

The modifying effects of dietary feeding of a polyisoprenylated benzophenone, garcinol, isolated from Garcinia indica fruit rind on the development of azoxymethane (AOM)-induced colonic aberrant crypt foci (ACF) were investigated in male F344 rats. We also assessed the effects of garcinol on proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) index in ACF and activities of detoxifying enzymes of glutathione S-transferase (GST) and quinone reductase (QR) in liver. In addition, we examined the effects of garcinol on 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate-induced O(2)(-) generation in differentiated human promyelocytic HL-60 cells and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)- and interferon (IFN)-gamma-induced nitric oxide (NO) generation in mouse macrophage RAW 264.7 cells. Western blotting analysis of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression was done in LPS- and IFN-gamma-treated mouse macrophage RAW 264.7 cells. Rats were given subcutaneous injections of AOM (15 mg/kg body wt) once a week for 3 weeks to induce ACF, They also received the experimental diet containing 0.01 or 0.05% garcinol for 5 weeks, starting 1 week before the first dosing of AOM, AOM exposure produced 97 +/- 15 ACF/rat at the end of the study (week 5), Dietary administration of garcinol caused significant reduction in the frequency of ACF: 72 +/- 15 (26% reduction, P < 0.01) at a dose of 0.01% and 58 +/- 8 (40% reduction, P < 0.001) at a dose of 0.05%. Garcinol administration significantly lowered PCNA index in ACF. Feeding of garcinol significantly elevated liver GST and QR activities. In addition, garcinol could suppress O(2)(-) and NO generation and expression of iNOS and COX-2 proteins. These findings might suggest possible chemopreventive ability of garcinol, through induction of liver GST and QR, inhibition of O(2)(-) and NO generation and/or suppression of iNOS and COX-2 expression, on colon tumorigenesis.

The influence of 1'-acetoxychavicol acetate (ACA) during the initiation stage was investigated in the N-nitrosobis(2-oxopropyl)amine (BOP)-initiated hamster tumorigenesis model, Ninety male 5-week-old hamsters were divided into three groups, each consisting of 30 animals, and s.c, injected with 20 mg/kg of BOP twice with a one-week interval. Groups 1 through 3 were fed diet supplemented with ACA at concentrations of 500, 100 and 0 ppm, respectively, for 3 weeks starting one week before the first carcinogen application. At the termination of experimental week 54, the total incidence and multiplicity of cholangiocellular adenomas and carcinomas in group 1 (17.9% and 0.3+/-0.9) were significantly (P<0.05 and P<0.01) decreased as compared to the group 3 values (50.0% and 0.7+/-0.8), The ACA treatments also showed a tendency to reduce the development of preneoplastic lesions in the pancreas, a main target organ of BOP, although this was not statistically significant. Our results thus indicate that ACA exerts an inhibitory effect on BOP-induced cholangiocarcinogenesis in hamsters, Taken together with previous findings of inhibited colon, oral and skin carcinogenesis in rats and mice, they suggest that ACA is a candidate chemopreventive agent with a wide spectrum of activity.

One known, (2R)-(12Z,15Z)-2-hydroxy-4-oxoheneicosa-12,15-dien-1-yl acetate (1), and two novel compounds, persenone A (2) and B (3), have been isolated from avocado fruit (Persea americana P. Mill), as inhibitors of superoxide (O-2(-)) and nitric oxide (NO) generation in cell culture systems. They showed marked inhibitory activities toward NO generation induced by lipopolysaccharide in combination with interferon-gamma in mouse macrophage RAW 264.7 cells. Their inhibitory potencies of NO generation (1, IC50 = 3.6; 2, IC50 = 1.2; and 3, IC50 = 3.5 mu M) were comparable to or higher than that of a natural NO generation inhibitor, docosahexaenoic acid (DKA; IC50 = 4.3 mu M). Furthermore, compounds 1-3 and DHA markedly suppressed tumor promoter 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate-induced O-2(-) generation in differentiated human promyelocytic HL-60 cells (1, EC50 = 33.7; 2, IC50 = 1.4; 3, IC50 = 1.8; and DHA, IC50 = 10.3 mu M). It is notable that they were found to be suppressors of both NO- and O-2(-)-generating biochemical pathways but not to be radical scavengers. The results indicate that these compounds are unique antioxidants, preferentially suppressing radical generation, and thus may be promising as effective chemopreventive agent candidates in inflammation-associated carcinogenesis.

The structure-activity relationships of(1'S)-1'-acetoxychavicol acetate (ACA), a cancer chemopreventive agent of food origin, were investigated in an inhibitory test of tumor promoter teleocidin B-4-induced Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) activation in Raji cells. Through a test of 16 derivatives, the structural factors regulating activity were found to be as follows: (1) the absolute configuration at the 1'-position does not affect activity; (2) hydrogenation of the terminal methylene group abolishes activity; (3) both the phenolic and alcoholic hydroxyl groups are compulsorily acetylated, and it is necessary that the former is oriented only at the position para to the side chain; (4) an additional acetoxyl group is allowed to locate at the ortho or meta position; and (5) substitution of the hydrogen atom at the 1'-position by a methyl group reduces activity. Upon esterase blockade in Raji cells, (1'R,S)-ACA suppressed EBV activation, the extent of which was the same as tested in the control, suggesting that ACA bearing two acetoxyl groups is an intracellular structure prerequisite for activity exhibition. The present study suggests that nucleophilic attack to the 3'-position is important and involved in the interaction of ACA with an unidentified target molecule(s) participating in the process of EBV activation.

The structure-activity relationships of(1'S)-1'-acetoxychavicol acetate (ACA), a cancer chemopreventive agent of food origin, were investigated in an inhibitory test of tumor promoter teleocidin B-4-induced Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) activation in Raji cells. Through a test of 16 derivatives, the structural factors regulating activity were found to be as follows: (1) the absolute configuration at the 1'-position does not affect activity; (2) hydrogenation of the terminal methylene group abolishes activity; (3) both the phenolic and alcoholic hydroxyl groups are compulsorily acetylated, and it is necessary that the former is oriented only at the position para to the side chain; (4) an additional acetoxyl group is allowed to locate at the ortho or meta position; and (5) substitution of the hydrogen atom at the 1'-position by a methyl group reduces activity. Upon esterase blockade in Raji cells, (1'R,S)-ACA suppressed EBV activation, the extent of which was the same as tested in the control, suggesting that ACA bearing two acetoxyl groups is an intracellular structure prerequisite for activity exhibition. The present study suggests that nucleophilic attack to the 3'-position is important and involved in the interaction of ACA with an unidentified target molecule(s) participating in the process of EBV activation.

One known, (2R)-(12Z,15Z)-2-hydroxy-4-oxoheneicosa-12,15-dien-1-yl acetate (1), and two novel compounds, persenone A (2) and B (3), have been isolated from avocado fruit (Persea americana P. Mill), as inhibitors of superoxide (O-2(-)) and nitric oxide (NO) generation in cell culture systems. They showed marked inhibitory activities toward NO generation induced by lipopolysaccharide in combination with interferon-gamma in mouse macrophage RAW 264.7 cells. Their inhibitory potencies of NO generation (1, IC50 = 3.6; 2, IC50 = 1.2; and 3, IC50 = 3.5 mu M) were comparable to or higher than that of a natural NO generation inhibitor, docosahexaenoic acid (DKA; IC50 = 4.3 mu M). Furthermore, compounds 1-3 and DHA markedly suppressed tumor promoter 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate-induced O-2(-) generation in differentiated human promyelocytic HL-60 cells (1, EC50 = 33.7; 2, IC50 = 1.4; 3, IC50 = 1.8; and DHA, IC50 = 10.3 mu M). It is notable that they were found to be suppressors of both NO- and O-2(-)-generating biochemical pathways but not to be radical scavengers. The results indicate that these compounds are unique antioxidants, preferentially suppressing radical generation, and thus may be promising as effective chemopreventive agent candidates in inflammation-associated carcinogenesis.

The modifying effects of auraptene on N-nitrosomethylbenzylamine (NMBA)-induced esophageal tumorigenesis were investigated in male F344 rats. At 5 weeks of age, all animals, except those with the test chemical alone and control rats, received s.c. injections of NMBA (0.5 mg/kg body weight/injection, three times per week) for 5 weeks. At the end of the study (20 weeks), 75% of the rats treated with NMBA alone had esophageal neoplasms (papillomas). However, the groups who received a dose of 500 ppm auraptene during the initiation phase developed significantly reduced incidence of tumors (39%; P<0.05). Exposure to auraptene (500 ppm) during the post-initiation phase also decreased the frequency of the tumors (29%; P<0.01). The reduction of the incidence of severe dysplasia was obtained when auraptene was administered in the post-initiation phase (P<0.05). Cell proliferation in the esophageal epithelium determined by proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) was lowered by auraptene (P<0.01). Blood polyamine contents in rats who received NMBA and the test compound were also smaller than those of rats that received the carcinogen (P<0.05). These findings suggest that dietary auraptene is effective in inhibiting the development of esophageal tumors by NMBA when given during the initiation as well as post-initiation phases, and such inhibition is related to suppression of cell proliferation in the esophageal epithelium.

Excessive and prolonged generation of superoxide (O-2(-)) and nitric oxide (NO) from inflammatory leukocytes is associated with several Lifestyle-related diseases, including cancer. In the present study, we screened 19 natural carotenoids for their modifying effects on O-2(-) and NO generation from differentiated human promyelocytic HL-60 cells and mouse macrophage RAW 264.7 cells, respectively. Of the carotenoids tested, halocynthiaxanthin, isolated from oysters, showed the highest suppressive effect on the generation of both free radicals. The inhibitory potencies of certain carotenoids on radical generation markedly exceeded that of beta-carotene. In addition, some important structural moieties regulating radical generation suppression are discussed. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

The modifying effects of 1'-acetoxychavicol acetate (ACA) on N-nitrosomethylbenzylamine (NMBA)-induced esophageal tumorigenesis, were investigated in male F344 rats. At 5 weeks of age, all test animals, except those given the test chemical alone, and the control rats received s.c. injections of NMBA (0.5 mg/kg body weight/injection, three times per week) for 5 weeks. At the termination of the study (20 weeks), 75% of rats treated with NR IBA alone had esophageal neoplasms (papillomas), However, the groups given a dose of 500 ppm ACA during the initiation phase developed a significantly reduced incidence of tumors (29%; P < 0.01). Exposure to ACA (500 ppm) during the post-initiation phase also decreased the frequency of the tumors (38%; P < 0.05). A reduction of the incidence of preneoplastic lesions (hyperplasia or dysplasia) was obtained when ACA was administered in the initiation phase (P < 0,01), Cell proliferation in the esophageal epithelium. determined by assay of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), was lowered by ACA (P < 0.05). Blood polyamine contents in rats given NMBA and the test compound were also smaller than those of rats given the carcinogen (P < 0,05), These findings suggest that dietary ACA is effective in inhibiting the development of esophageal tumors by NMBA when given during the initiation or post-initiation phase, and such inhibition is related to suppression of cell proliferation in the esophageal epithelium.

Here we report the molecular mechanism underlying the induction of glutathione S-transferase (GST) in rat liver epithelial RL34 cells treated with a cancer chemopreventive isothiocyanate compound, benzylisothiocyanate (BITC), BITC was found to significantly induce GST activity in RL34 cells. Northern and Western blot analyses demonstrated that BITC specifically enhanced the production of the class pi GST isozyme (GSTP1), Our studies demonstrated for the first time that the addition of BITC to the cells resulted in an immediate increase in the reactive oxygen intermediates (ROIs) detected by a fluorescence probe, 2',7'-dichlorofluorescin diacetate. The level of the ROIs in the cells treated with BITC (10 mu M) was similar to 50-fold higher than those in the control cells. Furthermore, glutathione depletion by diethyl maleate significantly enhanced BITC-induced ROI production and accelerated the BITC-induced elevation of the GST activity, whereas pretreatment of the cells with glutathione inhibited both the ROI production and GST induction. The structure-activity relationship of the isothiocyanates also indicated that the ROI-producing activities closely correlated with their GST-inducing potencies. Moreover, the GSTP1 enhancer I-containing region was found to be essential for induction of the GSTP1 gene by intracellular ROI inducers such as BITC and diethyl maleate. These data suggest the involvement of the redox regulation on the induction of GSTP1 by BITC.

We investigated the suppressive effects of 16 coumarin-related compounds on both lipopolysaccharide (LPS)- and interferon (IFN)-gamma-induced nitric oxide (NO) generation in a mouse macrophage cell line, RAW 264.7. Notably, coumarins possessing prenyl unit(s) were found to be highly active, a tendency consistent with our previous study. Among the coumarins tested, 1,1-dimethylallylcoumarins showed the highest inhibitory activity. Western blotting analysis revealed that they inhibited NO generation by suppressing inducible NO synthase (iNOS) protein expression. Our ongoing studies suggest that coumarins are prominent natural compounds that attenuate excessive and prolonged NO generation at inflammatory sites. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.

A total of 114 methanol extracts from 42 plant families of edible Malaysian plants were screened for their inhibitory activities toward tumor promoter 12-O-hexadecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (HPA)-induced Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) activation in Raji cells. By testing at a concentration of 200 mu g/ml, 74% of the 114 extracts inhibited EBV activation by 30% or more. This rate is comparable to those observed in the previous tests on edible Thai (60%) and Indonesian (71%) plants, and, importantly, much higher than that (26%) observed for Japanese edible plants. Approximately half of the Malaysian plants did not taxonomically overlap those from the other three countries, suggesting that Malaysian plants, as well as Thai and Indonesian plants, are an exclusive source of effective chemopreventive agents. Further dilution experiments indicated an extract from the leaves of Piper betle L. (Piperaceae) to be one of the most promising species. The high potential of edible Southeast Asian plants for cancer chemoprevention is collectively discussed.

Citrus fruit intake is known to be associated with a reduction of cancer incidence. Free radicals, including superoxide (O(2)(-)) and nitric oxide (NO), are involved in some epithelial carcinogenesis processes. In the present study, we screened thirty-one citrus fruits for their suppressive activities toward three lines of free radical generating systems: 1) O(2)(-) generation by the xanthine (XA)-xanthine oxidase (XOD) system; 2) O(2)(-) generation induced by 1 2-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) in differentiated human promyelocytic HL-60 cells; and 3) NO generation in murine macrophage RAW264.7 cells stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and interferon (IFN)-gamma. As a result, the inhibitory activities of peel parts were largely found to be higher than those of the corresponding juice sac parts. In particular, the peel portion of Dancy tangerine (Citrus tangerina) showed marked anti-oxidative activities in these systems. In addition, nobiletin, a polymethoxyflavonoid isolated from C. nobilis, showed a higher anti-inflammatory activity than indomethacin in a TPA-induced edema formation test in mouse ears. These results indicate that citrus fruits could be notable sources of anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory, and cancer preventive compounds.

We previously reported that auraptene (7-geranyloxycoumarin, AUR), widely occurring in citrus fruit, is a structurally novel type of effective cancer-preventive agent, as manifested in several rodent models. However, its bioavailability and metabolism in biological systems have yet to be investigated. In the present study, we examined the chemical stability of AUR at pH 1.57 and 37 degrees C (as a stomach digestion model) and observed its stoichiometric conversion to umbelliferone [7-hydroxycoumarin, UMB; half-life (t(1/2)) = 15 h; 7-ethoxycoumarin (ETC) was stable for 24 h]. Differentiated Caco-2 cells, a human colorectal adenocarcinoma cell line, were used as a small intestine model. ETC permeated the basolateral (portal vein) side of Caco-2 cells in a time-dependent manner; AUR slightly permeated the cells, but with an intracellular accumulation. Epoxyauraptene and UMB were detected when AUR was treated with the rat liver S-9 mixture. ETC was also converted to UMB, but its t(1/2) of two hours was much shorter than that of AUR (>24 h). This suggests that AUR, bearing a geranyloxyl side chain, is a relatively metabolism-resistant substrate for cytochrome P-450 enzymes and, thus, is stable in the liver compared with ETC. Oral administration of AUR by gavage at 50-200 mg/kg body wt dose dependently induced glutathione S-transferase (GST) activity in mouse livers without affecting cytochrome P-450 activity. Using 10 coumarin-related compounds, we found that only those coumarins having a 7-alkyloxyl group induced GST, but not cytochrome P-450, activity. The present study presumes that AUR accumulates in the epithelial cells of the small intestine and then gradually permeates into the portal vein. Stable localizability of AUR in the colon and fiver may be associated with the induction of GST activity, which is important as the action mechanism for suppression of rodent chemical carcinogenesis.

A total of 114 methanol extracts from 42 plant families of edible Malaysian plants were screened for their inhibitory activities toward tumor promoter 12-O-hexadecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (HPA)-induced Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) activation in Raji cells. By testing at a concentration of 200 mu g/ml, 74% of the 114 extracts inhibited EBV activation by 30% or more. This rate is comparable to those observed in the previous tests on edible Thai (60%) and Indonesian (71%) plants, and, importantly, much higher than that (26%) observed for Japanese edible plants. Approximately half of the Malaysian plants did not taxonomically overlap those from the other three countries, suggesting that Malaysian plants, as well as Thai and Indonesian plants, are an exclusive source of effective chemopreventive agents. Further dilution experiments indicated an extract from the leaves of Piper betle L. (Piperaceae) to be one of the most promising species. The high potential of edible Southeast Asian plants for cancer chemoprevention is collectively discussed.

Zerumbone was isolated from the rhizomes of Zingiber zerumbet Smith as a potent inhibitor of tumor promoter 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate-induced Epstein-Barr virus activation, The IC50 value of zerumbone (0.14 mu M) is noticeably lower than those of the anti-tumor promoters we have hitherto obtained. Interestingly, alpha-humulene lacking the carbonyl group at the 8-position in zerumbone was inactive (IC50 > 100 mu M), while 8-hydroxy-alpha-humulune was markedly active (IC50 = 0.95 mu M).

Zerumbone was isolated from the rhizomes of Zingiber zerumbet Smith as a potent inhibitor of tumor promoter 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate-induced Epstein-Barr virus activation, The IC50 value of zerumbone (0.14 mu M) is noticeably lower than those of the anti-tumor promoters we have hitherto obtained. Interestingly, alpha-humulene lacking the carbonyl group at the 8-position in zerumbone was inactive (IC50 > 100 mu M), while 8-hydroxy-alpha-humulune was markedly active (IC50 = 0.95 mu M).

Three coumarins were isolated as siginificant inhibitors of tumor promoter 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA)-induced Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) activation in Raji cells from the peel of lemon fruit. They were identified as 8-geranyloxypsolaren (LE-1), 5-geranyloxypsolaren (bergamottin, LE-2), and 5-geranyloxy-7-methoxycoumarin (LE-3), respectively, by spectroscopic analysis. Three isolates had no potential O-2-scavenging and markedly suppressed TPA-induced superoxide (O-2(-)) generation in differentiated human promyelocytic HL-60 cells. Furthermore, LE-1 and LE-3 reduced both lypopolysaccharide (LPS) and interferone-gamma (IFN-gamma)-induced nitric oxide (NO) generation in mouse macrophage RAW 264.7 cells. Similarly, they were found to be NO generation inhibitors rather than scavengers by measuring the extracellular L-citrulline levels. The occurrence of these coumarins in a lemon fruit was abundant in the flavedo of the peel based on quantitative analysis using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)I The present study suggests that the coumarins in lemon fruit are promising chemopreventive agents by inhibiting radical generation.

The modifying effects of auraptene isolated from the peel of citrus fruit (Citrus natsudaidai Hayata) on macrophage and lymphocyte functions were investigated in mice. Female BALB/c mice were gavaged with auraptene at a dose of 100, 200 or 400 mg/kg once a day for 10 consecutive days. Glucose consumption of peritoneal macrophages was significantly higher than that in the control group (P < 0.05-0.001) in auraptene-treated mice at all doses at 24, 48 and 72 h incubation except for mice given 200 mg/kg auraptene at 24 h incubation. Activity of acid phosphatase in peritoneal macrophages was significantly increased in mice treated with auraptene at a dose level of 100 mg/kg (P < 0.001). Activity of beta-glucuronidase in peritoneal macrophages in the auraptene-treated mice at all doses was significantly higher than that in the control group (P < 0.001), but there was no significant difference in lactate dehydrogenase activity of peritoneal macrophages at any dose. Interleukin (IL)-1 beta production of peritoneal macrophages in the auraptene-treated mice at all doses was significantly higher than that in the control group (P < 0.05-0.001). Tumor necrosis factor a production of peritoneal macrophages in mice gavaged with auraptene at a dose of 200 mg/kg was significantly higher than that in the control group (P < 0.05). Auraptene did not affect proliferation of spontaneous splenic lymphocytes in mice at any dose. Stimulation indices in mice given auraptene at a dose of 200 mg/kg were significantly higher than that in the control group (P < 0.05). When spleenic lymphocytes were cultured without concanavalin A (Con A), IL-2 and interferon (IFN) gamma productions were not detectable in the supernatant. However, IL-2 and IFN production stimulated by Con A were significantly increased in mice gavaged with auraptene at dose levels of 100 and 200 mg/kg (P 0.05-0.001), Aurapterne did not enhance spontaneous IL-4 production by splenocytes, There was no significant difference in IL-4 production of splenic lymphocytes stimulated by Con A in all groups. These findings might suggest that oral administration of citrus auraptene effectively enhanced macrophage and lymphocyte functions in mice.

The modifying effects of auraptene isolated from the peel of citrus fruit (Citrus natsudaidai Hayata) on macrophage and lymphocyte functions were investigated in mice. Female BALB/c mice were gavaged with auraptene at a dose of 100, 200 or 400 mg/kg once a day for 10 consecutive days. Glucose consumption of peritoneal macrophages was significantly higher than that in the control group (P < 0.05-0.001) in auraptene-treated mice at all doses at 24, 48 and 72 h incubation except for mice given 200 mg/kg auraptene at 24 h incubation. Activity of acid phosphatase in peritoneal macrophages was significantly increased in mice treated with auraptene at a dose level of 100 mg/kg (P < 0.001). Activity of beta-glucuronidase in peritoneal macrophages in the auraptene-treated mice at all doses was significantly higher than that in the control group (P < 0.001), but there was no significant difference in lactate dehydrogenase activity of peritoneal macrophages at any dose. Interleukin (IL)-1 beta production of peritoneal macrophages in the auraptene-treated mice at all doses was significantly higher than that in the control group (P < 0.05-0.001). Tumor necrosis factor a production of peritoneal macrophages in mice gavaged with auraptene at a dose of 200 mg/kg was significantly higher than that in the control group (P < 0.05). Auraptene did not affect proliferation of spontaneous splenic lymphocytes in mice at any dose. Stimulation indices in mice given auraptene at a dose of 200 mg/kg were significantly higher than that in the control group (P < 0.05). When spleenic lymphocytes were cultured without concanavalin A (Con A), IL-2 and interferon (IFN) gamma productions were not detectable in the supernatant. However, IL-2 and IFN production stimulated by Con A were significantly increased in mice gavaged with auraptene at dose levels of 100 and 200 mg/kg (P 0.05-0.001), Aurapterne did not enhance spontaneous IL-4 production by splenocytes, There was no significant difference in IL-4 production of splenic lymphocytes stimulated by Con A in all groups. These findings might suggest that oral administration of citrus auraptene effectively enhanced macrophage and lymphocyte functions in mice.

Three coumarins were isolated as siginificant inhibitors of tumor promoter 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA)-induced Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) activation in Raji cells from the peel of lemon fruit. They were identified as 8-geranyloxypsolaren (LE-1), 5-geranyloxypsolaren (bergamottin, LE-2), and 5-geranyloxy-7-methoxycoumarin (LE-3), respectively, by spectroscopic analysis. Three isolates had no potential O-2-scavenging and markedly suppressed TPA-induced superoxide (O-2(-)) generation in differentiated human promyelocytic HL-60 cells. Furthermore, LE-1 and LE-3 reduced both lypopolysaccharide (LPS) and interferone-gamma (IFN-gamma)-induced nitric oxide (NO) generation in mouse macrophage RAW 264.7 cells. Similarly, they were found to be NO generation inhibitors rather than scavengers by measuring the extracellular L-citrulline levels. The occurrence of these coumarins in a lemon fruit was abundant in the flavedo of the peel based on quantitative analysis using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)I The present study suggests that the coumarins in lemon fruit are promising chemopreventive agents by inhibiting radical generation.

The inhibitory effects of the diacetylenic spiroketal enol ether epoxide AL-1 from Artemisia lactiflora on a variety of tumor promoter-induced biological responses such as oxidative stress as well as tumor promotion in ICR mouse skin were investigated. AL-1 inhibited TPA-induced intracellular peroxide formation in differentiated HL-60 cells, suggesting that this suppression might be attributable to the inhibition of O-2(-) generation. In a double TPA application system in mouse skin, double pretreatments of AL-1 (810 nmol) significantly suppressed double TPA application-induced H2O2 generation. Pretreatment of AL-1 only before the second TPA treatment was sufficient to inhibit, while only with first treatment was not. From these results we concluded that AL-1 is a specific inhibitor of the activation phase in H2O2 production induced by double TPA treatments. In addition, AL-1 strongly inhibited tumor promoter-induced Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) activation in Raji cells (IC50 = 0.5 mu M), which was comparable to or even stronger than that of curcumin, a well-known antioxidative chemopreventer from turmeric. In a two-stage carcinogenesis experiment with TPA (topical application at 1.6 nmol) and 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA, at 0.19 mu mol) in ICR mouse skin, topical application of AL-1 (at 160 nmol) significantly reduced tumor incidence, the numbers of tumors per mouse, and edema formation by 58% (P < 0.01 in t-test), 20% (P < 0.005 in chi(2)-test) and 42% (P < 0.01), respectively. These results together indicate that an inhibitor of O-2(-) generation is an effective chemopreventer of mouse skin carcinogenesis by their antioxidative property. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Three known coumarins have been isolated from Citrus hystrix DC as inhibitors of both lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma)-induced nitric oxide (NO) generation in RAW 264.7 cells. The inhibitory activity of bergamottin (IC50 = 14 mu M) was comparable to that of N-(iminoethyl)-L-ornithine (L-NIO) (IC50 = 7.9 mu M), whereas oxypeucedanin. and 5-[(6',7'-dihydroxy-3',7'-dimethyl-2-octenyl)oxy]psoralen, structurally different from bergamottin only in their side-chain moieties, were notably less active. Using 21 coumarins, we structurally classified various types of coumarins into groups A-C: (A) bearing an isoprenyl (IP) or a geranyl (GR) group, highly active; (B) bearing an IP group cyclized to a coumarin ring, moderately active; (C) bearing an IP group modified with hydroxyl group(s) and/or having other functional groups except for the IP, completely inactive. Cellular uptake studies suggested that coumarins in group C are inactive because of poor permeability to the cell membrane.

Successful strategy for transportation systems' improvement should require both transportation and earthquake engineering aspects. For improvement or construction, and management for highway network system, each research field has been studied independently so far. This study aims at the development of theoretical framework of highway network reliability analysis and importance analysis, combining traffic engineering and earthquake engineering for successful future highway construction, prioritization of retrofit program and efficient disaster traffic management. The theoretical framework with three stages is proposed; the first stage is the hazard estimation, the second is the fragility analysis, and the third is the network reliability analysis. This article is the first step attempt toward constructing the desirable framework, thus the findings in the attempt are described. The model network and the procedure are shown and the computation is demonstrated.

Chemoprevention with food phytochemical is currently regarded as one of the noticeable scientific fields. A large body of data from epidemiologic and rodent studies has demonstrated that ingestion of vegetables and fruits is occasionally beneficial for reduction of cancer risks in humans. Recent clinical trials using ubiquitous antioxidants such as alpha-carotene, however, have yet to show their cancer preventive effect despite the fact that they have been reported to be chemopreventive agents in rodent models. One of the goals of this review is to address useful and reliable methodology to detect promising chemopreventive agents from edible plants by highlighting molecular mechanisms of multistage carcinogenesis.

Chemoprevention with food phytochemical is currently regarded as one of the noticeable scientific fields. A large body of data from epidemiologic and rodent studies has demonstrated that ingestion of vegetables and fruits is occasionally beneficial for reduction of cancer risks in humans. Recent clinical trials using ubiquitous antioxidants such as alpha-carotene, however, have yet to show their cancer preventive effect despite the fact that they have been reported to be chemopreventive agents in rodent models. One of the goals of this review is to address useful and reliable methodology to detect promising chemopreventive agents from edible plants by highlighting molecular mechanisms of multistage carcinogenesis.

Three known coumarins have been isolated from Citrus hystrix DC as inhibitors of both lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma)-induced nitric oxide (NO) generation in RAW 264.7 cells. The inhibitory activity of bergamottin (IC50 = 14 mu M) was comparable to that of N-(iminoethyl)-L-ornithine (L-NIO) (IC50 = 7.9 mu M), whereas oxypeucedanin. and 5-[(6',7'-dihydroxy-3',7'-dimethyl-2-octenyl)oxy]psoralen, structurally different from bergamottin only in their side-chain moieties, were notably less active. Using 21 coumarins, we structurally classified various types of coumarins into groups A-C: (A) bearing an isoprenyl (IP) or a geranyl (GR) group, highly active; (B) bearing an IP group cyclized to a coumarin ring, moderately active; (C) bearing an IP group modified with hydroxyl group(s) and/or having other functional groups except for the IP, completely inactive. Cellular uptake studies suggested that coumarins in group C are inactive because of poor permeability to the cell membrane.

Six acetylenic compounds were isolated from the leaves of Artemisia lactiflora (Compositae), an edible plant of Thailand. Four of them were identified as the stereoisomers of 3,4-epoxy-2-(2,4-hexadiynylidene)-1,6-dioxaspiro[4.5]decane and its derivatives, whose planar structures have already been reported. The other two were identified as novel chlorohydrin derivatives of the corresponding diacetylene spiroketal enol ethers. The inhibitory effects of the polyacetylenes isolated in the present study together with genistein on TPA-induced O-2(-) generation were examined. It was revealed that an acyloxyl group at the C-2 position enhanced-the inhibitory effect, while the absolute configurations at C-5, -6, and -7 were not important. While polyacetylenes are known to possess several biological roles in various ecosystems, we first found inhibitory effects of the diacetylenes on TPA-induced O-2(-) generation in differentiated HL-60 cells.

Six acetylenic compounds were isolated from the leaves of Artemisia lactiflora (Compositae), an edible plant of Thailand. Four of them were identified as the stereoisomers of 3,4-epoxy-2-(2,4-hexadiynylidene)-1,6-dioxaspiro[4.5]decane and its derivatives, whose planar structures have already been reported. The other two were identified as novel chlorohydrin derivatives of the corresponding diacetylene spiroketal enol ethers. The inhibitory effects of the polyacetylenes isolated in the present study together with genistein on TPA-induced O-2(-) generation were examined. It was revealed that an acyloxyl group at the C-2 position enhanced-the inhibitory effect, while the absolute configurations at C-5, -6, and -7 were not important. While polyacetylenes are known to possess several biological roles in various ecosystems, we first found inhibitory effects of the diacetylenes on TPA-induced O-2(-) generation in differentiated HL-60 cells.