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Voltammetric techniques are most suitable to investigate the redox properties of a new drug. Use of electrochemistry is an important approach in drug discovery and research as well as quality control, drug stability, and determination of physiological activity. The indole nucleus is an essential element of a number of natural and synthetic products with significant biological activity. Indole derivatives are the well-known electroactive compounds that are readily oxidized at carbon-based electrodes, and thus analytical procedures, such as electrochemical detection and voltammetry, have been developed for the determination of biologically important indoles. This paper explains some of the relevant and recent achievements in the electrochemistry processes and parameters mainly related to biologically important indole derivatives in view of drug discovery and analysis

The NRF2/KEAP1 axis in the regulation of tumor metabolism: mechanisms and therapeutic perspectives

The NRF2/KEAP1 pathway is a fundamental signaling cascade that controls multiple cytoprotective responses through the induction of a complex transcriptional program that ultimately renders cancer cells resistant to oxidative, metabolic and therapeutic stress. Interestingly, accumulating evidence in recent years has indicated that metabolic reprogramming is closely interrelated with the regulation of redox homeostasis, suggesting that the disruption of NRF2 signaling might represent a valid therapeutic strategy against a variety of solid and hematologic cancers. These aspects will be the focus of the present review

Therapeutic targeting of the NRF2 signaling pathway in cancer

Cancer is one of the most fatal diseases with an increasing incidence and mortality all over the world. Thus, there is an urgent need for novel therapies targeting major cancer-related pathways. Nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2) and its major negative modulator Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (KEAP1) are main players of the cellular defense mechanisms against internal and external cell stressors. However, NRF2/KEAP1 signaling pathway is dysregulated in various cancers, thus promoting tumor cell survival and metastasis. In the present review, we discuss the mechanisms of normal and deregulated NRF2 signaling pathway focusing on its cancer-related functions. We further explore activators and inhibitors of this pathway as cancer targeting drug candidates in order to provide an extensive background on the subject

Bioisosteric modification on melatonin: synthesis of new naphthalene derivatives, in vitro antioxidant activity and cytotoxicity studies

Melatonin (MLT) is a strong free radical scavenger that protects the body from the deleterious effects of excess oxidants. Synthesis of MLT analogue compounds with antioxidant potency has recently attracted the interest of researchers. In general, the strategy consists of modifying the groups in the different sites of the indole ring or replacing the indole ring with an analogue. As part of our ongoing research, the antioxidant capacity and cytotoxicity of newly synthesized MLT analogue naphthalene derivatives were evaluated. The radical scavenging activity was tested by a 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay. Most of the synthesized compounds showed significant antioxidant activity in comparison to MLT. The structure-activity relationship was identified. The in vitro cytotoxic effects of the synthesized compounds were also investigated in CHO-K1 cells using the MTT assay

Citogenetičko oštećenje u turskih radnika na koksnim pećima izloženih policikličkim aromatskim ugljikovodicima: povezanost s genskim polimorfizmima CYP1A1, CYP1B1, EPHX1, GSTM1, GSTT1 i GSTP1

The aim of this study was to determine the frequencies of chromosomal aberrations (CA) and cytochalasinblocked micronuclei (CBMN) in peripheral blood lymphocytes from Turkish coke oven workers and the influence of CYP1A1, CYP1B1, EPHX1, GSTM1, GSTT1, and GSTP1 gene polymorphisms on these biomarkers. Cytogenetic analysis showed that occupational exposure significantly increased the CA and CBMN frequencies. Gene polymorphisms, on the other hand, did not affect CA or CBMN in either exposed or control subjects. However, due to the limited sample size, our findings need to be verified in future studies with a larger sample.Cilj je ovog ispitivanja bio utvrditi učestalost kromosomskih aberacija (CA) i mikronukleusa (CBMN) u limfocitima periferne krvi turskih radnika na koksnim pećima te utjecaj genskih polimorfizama CYP1A1, CYP1B1, EPHX1, GSTM1, GSTT1 i GSTP1 na te biopokazatelje. Profesionalna je izloženost ovih radnika značajno povećala učestalost CA i CBMN, ali genski polimorfizmi nisu utjecali na ove parametre bez obzira na to je li se radilo o radnicima ili o kontrolnoj skupini. Međutim, značaj je naših rezultata ograničen zbog malog uzorka te su potrebna daljnja istraživanja s većim uzorkom da ih se potvrdi

Behaviour of 9-Ethyl-9H-carbazole Hydrazone Derivatives Against Oxidant Systems: Protective Effect on Amyloid β-Induced Damage

Antioxidants are helpful in prevention of several diseases related with oxidative stress including neurodegenerative disorders. In recent studies, carbazoles were given proof of promising antioxidant activities. In this article, 9-ethyl-9H-carbazole hydrazone derivatives were synthesized, characterized and their in vitro antioxidant activity and possible cytotoxic effects were investigated. Furthermore, protective effect of the synthesized derivatives against amyloid β-induced damage in PC12 neuronal cells was examined by using MTT assay. The newly synthesized carbazoles were found to have radical scavenging activity with a varying potency both in cell-free and cell-based in vitro assays. Several compounds, especially such as 3d and 3e, 3m and 3n bearing two halogen groups on the phenyl ring, were found to have cytotoxic activity. However, their cytotoxic activities were not higher than that of melatonin. Several compounds also significantly protected neuronal PC12 cells against amyloid β-induced damage, which can be defined as neuroprotective agents. (4-(2-((9-Ethyl-9H-carbazol-3-yl)methylene)hydrazinyl)benzonitrile) 3r was found as the most active compound with both radical scavenging activity and neuroprotective effects against amyloid β-induced damage. These findings might provide an alternative strategy for developing novel carbazole derivatives for management of neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer\u27s disease. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License

Potential applications of NRF2 modulators in cancer therapy

The nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2)–Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (KEAP1) regulatory pathway plays an essential role in protecting cells and tissues from oxidative, electrophilic, and xenobiotic stress. By controlling the transactivation of over 500 cytoprotective genes, the NRF2 transcription factor has been implicated in the physiopathology of several human diseases, including cancer. In this respect, accumulating evidence indicates that NRF2 can act as a double-edged sword, being able to mediate tumor suppressive or pro-oncogenic functions, depending on the specific biological context of its activation. Thus, a better understanding of the mechanisms that control NRF2 functions and the most appropriate context of its activation is a prerequisite for the development of effective therapeutic strategies based on NRF2 modulation. In line of principle, the controlled activation of NRF2 might reduce the risk of cancer initiation and development in normal cells by scavenging reactive-oxygen species (ROS) and by preventing genomic instability through decreased DNA damage. In contrast however, already transformed cells with constitutive or prolonged activation of NRF2 signaling might represent a major clinical hurdle and exhibit an aggressive phenotype characterized by therapy resistance and unfavorable prognosis, requiring the use of NRF2 inhibitors. In this review, we will focus on the dual roles of the NRF2-KEAP1 pathway in cancer promotion and inhibition, describing the mechanisms of its activation and potential therapeutic strategies based on the use of context-specific modulation of NRF2

A Pivotal Role of Nrf2 in Neurodegenerative Disorders: A New Way for Therapeutic Strategies

Clinical and preclinical research indicates that neurodegenerative diseases are characterized by excess levels of oxidative stress (OS) biomarkers and by lower levels of antioxidant protection in the brain and peripheral tissues. Dysregulations in the oxidant/antioxidant balance are known to be a major factor in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases and involve mitochondrial dysfunction, protein misfolding, and neuroinflammation, all events that lead to the proteostatic collapse of neuronal cells and their loss. Nuclear factor-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) is a short-lived protein that works as a transcription factor and is related to the expression of many cytoprotective genes involved in xenobiotic metabolism and antioxidant responses. A major emerging function of Nrf2 from studies over the past decade is its role in resistance to OS. Nrf2 is a key regulator of OS defense and research supports a protective and defending role of Nrf2 against neurodegenerative conditions. This review describes the influence of Nrf2 on OS and in what way Nrf2 regulates antioxidant defense for neurodegenerative conditions. Furthermore, we evaluate recent research and evidence for a beneficial and potential role of specific Nrf2 activator compounds as therapeutic agents

Detection of Reactive Oxygen and Nitrogen Species by Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR) Technique

During the last decade there has been growing interest in physical-chemical oxidation processes and the behavior of free radicals in living systems. Radicals are known as intermediate species in a variety of biochemical reactions. Numerous techniques, assays and biomarkers have been used to measure reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (ROS and RNS), and to examine oxidative stress. However, many of these assays are not entirely satisfactory or are used inappropriately. The purpose of this chapter is to review current EPR (Electron Paramagnetic Resonance) spectroscopy methods for measuring ROS, RNS, and their secondary products, and to discuss the strengths and limitations of specific methodological approaches

Electrochemical Behavior of Biologically Important Indole Derivatives

Voltammetric techniques are most suitable to investigate the redox properties of a new drug. Use of electrochemistry is an important approach in drug discovery and research as well as quality control, drug stability, and determination of physiological activity. The indole nucleus is an essential element of a number of natural and synthetic products with significant biological activity. Indole derivatives are the well-known electroactive compounds that are readily oxidized at carbon-based electrodes, and thus analytical procedures, such as electrochemical detection and voltammetry, have been developed for the determination of biologically important indoles. This paper explains some of the relevant and recent achievements in the electrochemistry processes and parameters mainly related to biologically important indole derivatives in view of drug discovery and analysis