A. Douglas Kinghorn

Bio: A. Douglas Kinghorn is an academic researcher from Ohio State University. The author has contributed to research in topics: Apoptosis & Reductase. The author has an hindex of 64, co-authored 405 publications receiving 23180 citations. Previous affiliations of A. Douglas Kinghorn include Research Triangle Park & University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras.

Cancer Chemopreventive Activity of Resveratrol, a Natural Product Derived from Grapes

Abstract: Resveratrol, a phytoalexin found in grapes and other food products, was purified and shown to have cancer chemopreventive activity in assays representing three major stages of carcinogenesis. Resveratrol was found to act as an antioxidant and antimutagen and to induce phase II drug-metabolizing enzymes (anti-initiation activity); it mediated anti-inflammatory effects and inhibited cyclooxygenase and hydroperoxidase functions (antipromotion activity); and it induced human promyelocytic leukemia cell differentiation (antiprogression activity). In addition, it inhibited the development of preneoplastic lesions in carcinogen-treated mouse mammary glands in culture and inhibited tumorigenesis in a mouse skin cancer model. These data suggest that resveratrol, a common constituent of the human diet, merits investigation as a potential cancer chemopreventive agent in humans.

Progress in the Chemistry of Organic Natural Products

Abstract: S. S. Ebada, N. Lajkiewicz, J. A. Porco Jr., M. Lin-Weber, and P. Proksch: Chemistry and biology of Rocaglamides (=Flavaglines) and related derivatives from Aglaia species (Meliacease). - M. A. R. C. Bulusu, K. Baumann, and A. Stuetz: Chemistry of the immunomodulatory macrolides ascomycin and related analogues. - R. I. Misico, V. Nicotra, J. C. Oberti, G. Barboza, R. R. Gil, and G. Burton: Withanolides and related steroids.

IARC Monographs on the evaluation of carcinogenic risks to humans: Some traditional herbal medicines, some mycotoxins, naphthalene and styrene

Abstract: Members Ahti Anttila, Finnish Cancer Registry, Institute for Statistical and Epidemiological Cancer Research, Liisankatu 21 B, 00170 Helsinki, Finland Ramesh V. Bhat, National Institute of Nutrition, Indian Council of Medical Research, Jamai-Osmania PO, Hyderabad-500 007 AP, India James A. Bond, Chemico-Biological Interactions, Toxcon, 5505 Frenchmans Creek, Durham, NC 27713, USA Susan J. Borghoff, CIIT Centers for Health Research, 6 Davis Drive, Box 12137, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709-2127, USA F. Xavier Bosch, Epidemiology Unit and Cancer Registry, Catalan Institute of Oncology, Av. Gran via s/n, Km. 2.7, 08907 L’Hospitalet del Llobregat, Spain Gary P. Carlson, School of Health Sciences, 1338 Civil Engineering Building, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907-1338, USA Marcel Castegnaro, Les Collanges, 07240 Saint-Jean-Chambre, France George Cruzan, ToxWorks, 1153 Roadstown Road, Bridgeton, NJ 08302-6640, USA Wentzel C.A. Gelderblom, Programme on Mycotoxins and Experimental Carcinogenesis, Medical Research Council (MRC), PO Box 19070, Tygerberg, South Africa 7505 Ulla Hass, Institute of Food Safety and Toxicology, Morkhoj Bygade 19, 2860 Soborg, Denmark Sara H. Henry, 5100 Paint Branch Parkway, College Park, MD 20740-3835, USA Ronald A. Herbert, Laboratory of Experimental Pathology, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, PO Box 12233, Mail Drop B3-08, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709-2233, USA Marc Jackson, Integrated Laboratory Systems, Inc., PO Box 13501, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA IARC WORKING GROUP ON THE EVALUATION OF CARCINOGENIC RISKS TO HUMANS: SOME TRADITIONAL HERBAL MEDICINES, SOME MYCOTOXINS, NAPHTHALENE AND STYRENE

Drug discovery from natural sources.

Abstract: Organic compounds from terrestrial and marine organisms have extensive past and present use in the treatment of many diseases and serve as compounds of interest both in their natural form and as templates for synthetic modification. Over 20 new drugs launched on the market between 2000 and 2005, originating from terrestrial plants, terrestrial microorganisms, marine organisms, and terrestrial vertebrates and invertebrates, are described. These approved substances, representative of very wide chemical diversity, together with several other natural products or their analogs undergoing clinical trials, continue to demonstrate the importance of compounds from natural sources in modern drug discovery efforts.

Global cancer statistics, 2012

Abstract: Cancer constitutes an enormous burden on society in more and less economically developed countries alike. The occurrence of cancer is increasing because of the growth and aging of the population, as well as an increasing prevalence of established risk factors such as smoking, overweight, physical inactivity, and changing reproductive patterns associated with urbanization and economic development. Based on GLOBOCAN estimates, about 14.1 million new cancer cases and 8.2 million deaths occurred in 2012 worldwide. Over the years, the burden has shifted to less developed countries, which currently account for about 57% of cases and 65% of cancer deaths worldwide. Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death among males in both more and less developed countries, and has surpassed breast cancer as the leading cause of cancer death among females in more developed countries; breast cancer remains the leading cause of cancer death among females in less developed countries. Other leading causes of cancer death in more developed countries include colorectal cancer among males and females and prostate cancer among males. In less developed countries, liver and stomach cancer among males and cervical cancer among females are also leading causes of cancer death. Although incidence rates for all cancers combined are nearly twice as high in more developed than in less developed countries in both males and females, mortality rates are only 8% to 15% higher in more developed countries. This disparity reflects regional differences in the mix of cancers, which is affected by risk factors and detection practices, and/or the availability of treatment. Risk factors associated with the leading causes of cancer death include tobacco use (lung, colorectal, stomach, and liver cancer), overweight/obesity and physical inactivity (breast and colorectal cancer), and infection (liver, stomach, and cervical cancer). A substantial portion of cancer cases and deaths could be prevented by broadly applying effective prevention measures, such as tobacco control, vaccination, and the use of early detection tests.

Plant Products as Antimicrobial Agents

Abstract: The use of and search for drugs and dietary supplements derived from plants have accelerated in recent years. Ethnopharmacologists, botanists, microbiologists, and natural-products chemists are combing the Earth for phytochemicals and “leads” which could be developed for treatment of infectious diseases. While 25 to 50% of current pharmaceuticals are derived from plants, none are used as antimicrobials. Traditional healers have long used plants to prevent or cure infectious conditions; Western medicine is trying to duplicate their successes. Plants are rich in a wide variety of secondary metabolites, such as tannins, terpenoids, alkaloids, and flavonoids, which have been found in vitro to have antimicrobial properties. This review attempts to summarize the current status of botanical screening efforts, as well as in vivo studies of their effectiveness and toxicity. The structure and antimicrobial properties of phytochemicals are also addressed. Since many of these compounds are currently available as unregulated botanical preparations and their use by the public is increasing rapidly, clinicians need to consider the consequences of patients self-medicating with these preparations.

Photodynamic therapy for cancer

Abstract: The therapeutic properties of light have been known for thousands of years, but it was only in the last century that photodynamic therapy (PDT) was developed. At present, PDT is being tested in the clinic for use in oncology--to treat cancers of the head and neck, brain, lung, pancreas, intraperitoneal cavity, breast, prostate and skin. How does PDT work, and how can it be used to treat cancer and other diseases?

Small molecule activators of sirtuins extend Saccharomyces cerevisiae lifespan

Abstract: In diverse organisms, calorie restriction slows the pace of ageing and increases maximum lifespan. In the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, calorie restriction extends lifespan by increasing the activity of Sir2 (ref. 1), a member of the conserved sirtuin family of NAD(+)-dependent protein deacetylases. Included in this family are SIR-2.1, a Caenorhabditis elegans enzyme that regulates lifespan, and SIRT1, a human deacetylase that promotes cell survival by negatively regulating the p53 tumour suppressor. Here we report the discovery of three classes of small molecules that activate sirtuins. We show that the potent activator resveratrol, a polyphenol found in red wine, lowers the Michaelis constant of SIRT1 for both the acetylated substrate and NAD(+), and increases cell survival by stimulating SIRT1-dependent deacetylation of p53. In yeast, resveratrol mimics calorie restriction by stimulating Sir2, increasing DNA stability and extending lifespan by 70%. We discuss possible evolutionary origins of this phenomenon and suggest new lines of research into the therapeutic use of sirtuin activators.