A novel prodrug of the green tea polyphenol (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate as a potential anticancer agent.
The most abundant and biologically active green tea catechin, (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate or (-)-EGCG, has been shown to act as a proteasome inhibitor and tumor cell death inducer. However, (-)-EGCG is unstable under physiologic conditions and has poor bioavailability. Previously, in an attempt to increase the stability of (-)-EGCG, we introduced peracetate protections to its reactive hydroxyl groups and showed that this peracetate-protected (-)-EGCG [Pro-EGCG (1); formerly named compound 1] could be converted into (-)-EGCG under cell-free conditions. In the current study, we provide evidence that when cultured human breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cells were treated with Pro-EGCG (1), (-)-EGCG was not only converted but also accumulated, accompanied by enhanced levels of proteasome inhibition, growth suppression, and apoptosis induction, compared with cells treated with natural (-)-EGCG. To investigate the potential use of Pro-EGCG (1) as a novel prodrug that converts to a cellular proteasome inhibitor and anticancer agent in vivo, MDA-MB-231 tumors were induced in nude mice, followed by treatment with Pro-EGCG (1) or (-)-EGCG for 31 days. Results of this in vivo study showed a significant inhibition of breast tumor growth by Pro-EGCG (1), compared with (-)-EGCG, associated with increased proteasome inhibition and apoptosis induction in tumor tissues. In conclusion, we have shown that Pro-EGCG (1) increases the bioavailability, stability, and proteasome-inhibitory and anticancer activities of (-)-EGCG in human breast cancer cells and tumors, suggesting its potential use for cancer prevention and treatment.
Landis-Piwowar
Kristin R
KR
The Prevention Program, Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, and Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan 48201, USA.
Huo
Congde
C
Chen
Di
D
Milacic
Vesna
V
Shi
Guoqing
G
Chan
Tak Hang
TH
Dou
Q Ping
QP
D000818:Animals; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D002392:Catechin / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology; D048708:Cell Growth Processes / Q000187:drug effects; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D002918:Chymotrypsin / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D008819:Mice, Nude; D010463:Peracetic Acid / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011355:Prodrugs / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011480:Protease Inhibitors / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology; D023041:Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D011355:Prodrugs; D011480:Protease Inhibitors; D002392:Catechin; C045651:epigallocatechin gallate; D002918:Chymotrypsin; D010463:Peracetic Acid