No abstract

Targeted therapies have come into prominence in the ongoing battle against non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) because of the shortcomings of traditional chemotherapy. In this context, indole-based small molecules, which were synthesized efficiently, were subjected to an in vitro colorimetric assay to evaluate their cyclooxygenase (COX) inhibitory profiles. Compounds 3b and 4a were found to be the most selective COX-1 inhibitors in this series with IC50 values of 8.90 µM and 10.00 µM, respectively. In vitro and in vivo assays were performed to evaluate their anti-NSCLC and anti-inflammatory action, respectively. 2-(1H-Indol-3-yl)-N′-(4-morpholinobenzylidene)acetohydrazide (3b) showed selective cytotoxic activity against A549 human lung adenocarcinoma cells through apoptosis induction and Akt inhibition. The in vivo experimental data revealed that compound 3b decreased the serum myeloperoxidase and nitric oxide levels, pointing out its anti-inflammatory action. Moreover, compound 3b diminished the serum aminotransferase (particularly aspartate aminotransferase) levels. Based on the in vitro and in vivo experimental data, compound 3b stands out as a lead anti-NSCLC agent endowed with in vivo anti-inflammatory action, acting as a dual COX-1 and Akt inhibitor.

In an endeavor to identify potent anti-inflammatory agents, new thiosemicarbazones (TSCs) incorporated into a diaryl ether framework (2a-2l) were prepared and screened for their in vitro inhibitory effects on cyclooxygenases (COXs). 4-[4-(Piperidin-1ylsulfonyl)phenyl]-1-[4-(4-cyanophenoxy)benzylidene]thiosemicarbazide (2c) was the most potent and selective COX-1 inhibitor in this series, with an IC 50 value of 1.89 ± 0.04 µM. On the other hand, 4-[4-(piperidin-1-ylsulfonyl)phenyl]-1-[4-(4nitrophenoxy)benzylidene]thiosemicarbazide (2b) was identified as a nonselective COX inhibitor (COX-1 IC 50 = 13.44 ± 0.65 µM, COX-2 IC 50 = 12.60 ± 0.78 µM). Based on molecular docking studies, the diaryl ether and the TSC groups serve as crucial moieties for interactions with pivotal amino acid residues in the active sites of COXs. According to MTT test, compounds 2b and 2c showed low cytotoxic activity toward NIH/3T3 cells. Their in vivo anti-inflammatory and antioxidant potencies were also assessed using the lipopolysaccharide-induced sepsis model. Compounds 2b and 2cdiminished high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, myeloperoxidase, nitric oxide, and malondialdehyde levels. Both compounds also caused a significant decrease in aspartate aminotransferase levels as well as alanine aminotransferase levels. In silico pharmacokinetic studies suggest that compounds 2b and 2c possess favorable druglikeness and oral bioavailability. It can be concluded that these compounds may act as orally bioavailable anti-inflammatory and antioxidant agents.

Background/aim: Hypercholesterolemia is characterized by changes in lipid profile, nitric oxide pathway, and oxidative stress markers, but functions of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) were not well established in hypercholesterolemic subjects treated with atorvastatin. In this study, we aimed to evaluate effects of atorvastatin treatment on functionality of HDL, oxidative stress, and endothelial functions in hypercholesterolemic subjects. Materials and methods:Thirty patients (20 females, 10 males) aged from 40 to 60 years and diagnosed as hypercholesterolemic were included. Patients were treated with 10 mg/day atorvastatin for 3 months. Markers of endothelial functions, namely asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA), homocysteine, and nitric oxide (NO), and markers of oxidative status, namely malondialdehyde (MDA), antioxidant potential (AOP), paraoxonase 1 (PON1), and arylesterase, were measured. Before and after atorvastatin treatment, glucose, lipid parameters, and antioxidant/antiinflammatory HDL levels were also measured.Results: ADMA and homocysteine levels were decreased whereas NO levels were increased with atorvastatin therapy. MDA levels were decreased but AOP, PON1, and arylesterase levels and antiinflammatory characteristics of HDLs were increased. Furthermore, lipid profiles of the patients improved with atorvastatin therapy. Conclusion:Hypercholesterolemia is a cause of oxidative stress, endothelial dysfunction, and proinflammatory HDL levels. Atorvastatin is a beneficial pharmacological modulator of impaired antiinflammatory HDL-C levels, endothelial functions, and oxidative status against atherosclerosis indicating pleiotropic effects of statins.

More than half of those who succumb to cancer each year also lose their battle with the disease, making cancer a leading cause of death worldwide. After surgery, hormonal therapy, radiotherapy and chemotherapy, which are preferred in cancer management, immunotherapy has revolutionized. In this mini-review, we cover the various immunotherapeutic approaches used in contemporary cancer immunotherapies. These are immune checkpoint blockade, an attemp planned to ‘unleash’ robust T cell responses, and adaptive cellular therapies connected on the infusion of tumor-struggling immune cells into the body. One of these attemps, Nivolumab, became the first ICI to be approved to treat lung cancer in 2014. To date, different ICIs, such as pembrolizumab, atezolizumab, and durvalumab, have been in a row introduced into clinical medicine and have shown significant effect. Therefore, in this mini-review, we present some emerging goals and attemps in cancer immunotherapy.