Chenyang Li

Three multifunctional ruthenium(II) complexes (Ru1–Ru3) modified with cholic acid were synthesized, which exhibited excellent singlet oxygen-generating ability and near-infrared (NIR) aggregation-induced emission (AIE) phosphorescence activity. Cellular toxicity assays revealed that Ru1 displayed pronounced phototoxicity against both human breast cancer cells (MDA-MB-231) and murine breast cancer cells (4T1), achieving a maximum phototoxicity index (PI) of 83.3. Mechanistic studies indicated that Ru1 exhibited superior targeting affinity for the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Upon irradiation at 450 nm, it stimulated the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and initiated ER stress. This stress activated the interferon gene stimulator (STING) pathway's signaling cascade within the ER, prompting a Golgi apparatus response. The consequent activation induced pyroptosis and sequentially engaged the downstream proteins p-TBK1 and p-IRF3 within the STING pathway, thus promoting the secretion of antitumor cytokines and the elicitation of tumor immune responses. In vivo experiments conducted on Balb/c mice have demonstrated significant anti-tumor immune effects exhibited by Ru1. In summary, the immune modulation and targeted intervention by metal complexes represent an innovative and promising therapeutic strategy for cancer. This approach is anticipated to yield new perspectives for the development of metal complexes that augment tumor immunotherapy.

This study explores the antifungal properties of Agaricus blazei Murrill, a valuable medicinal and edible fungus. Six compounds (1–6) were first isolated from A. blazei using various isolation techniques and identified using spectroscopic methods. These compounds include linoleic acid, 1,1′-oxybis(2,4-di-tert-butylbenzene), glycerol monolinoleate, volemolide (17R)-17-methylincisterol, (24s)-ergosta-7-en-3-ol, and dibutyl phthalate. This study also assesses the antifungal activities of these compounds against Trichophyton mentagrophology, Trichophyton rubrum, Candida albicans, and Cryptococcus neoformans. The results demonstrate varied sensitivities against these pathogenic fungi, with compound 2 showing significant inhibition against T. mentagrophology, compound 3 showing significant inhibition against T. rubrum, and compound 6 showing significant inhibition against C. albicans. This study underscores the medicinal potential of A. blazei as an antifungal agent and sheds light on its valuable research implications.

Four compounds (1, 5, 7, and 8) were first isolated from the genus Belamcanda Adans. nom. conserv., and six known compounds (2–4, 6, 9, and 10) were isolated from the rhizome of Belamcanda chinensis (L.) DC. Their structures were confirmed by spectroscopic data. Herein, compounds 1–10 were rhapontigenin, trans-resveratrol, 5,7,4′-trihydroxy-6,3′,5′-trimethoxy-isoflavone, irisflorentin, 6-hydroxybiochannin A, iridin S, pinoresinol, 31-norsysloartanol, isoiridogermanal, and iristectorene B, respectively. All compounds were evaluated for their antiproliferative effects against five tumor cell lines (BT549, 4T1, MCF7, MDA-MB-231, and MDA-MB-468). Among them, compound 9 (an iridal-type triterpenoid) showed the highest activity against 4T1 and MDA-MB-468 cells. Further studies displayed that compound 9 inhibited cell metastasis, induced cells cycle arrest in the G1 phase, exhibited significant mitochondrial damage in 4T1 and MDA-MB-468 cells including excess reactive oxygen species, decreased mitochondrial membrane potential, and induced 4T1 and MDA-MB-468 cell apoptosis for the first time. In summary, these findings demonstrate that compound 9 exerts promising potential for triple-negative breast cancer treatment and deserves further evaluation.

A near-infrared Ir(iii) complex with aggregation-induced emission (AIE) properties exhibits potent photodynamic anticancer activity in vitro and in vivo upon 525 nm light irradiation.