AIM AND OBJECTIVES: In this study, we aim at investigating the mechanism of apoptosis by N-(4-chlorophenyl)-2-(4- (3,4,5-trimethoxybenzyloxy)benzoyl)-hydrazinecarbothioamide, a triazole precursor, henceforth termed compound P7a, in breast cancer cell line, MCF-7. We first screen a series of analogues containing (3,4,5-trimethoxybenzyloxy) phenyl moiety in breast cancer cell lines (MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231) to select the most cytotoxic compound and demonstrate a dose- and time-dependent cytotoxicity. Then, we unravel the mechanism of apoptosis of P7a in MCF-7 as well as its ability to cause cell cycle arrest.
METHODS: Synthesis was performed as previously described by Kareem and co-workers. Cytotoxicity of analogues containing (3,4,5-trimethoxybenzyloxy)phenyl moiety against MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cell lines was evaluated using the MTS assay. Flow cytometric analyses was done using Annexin V/PI staining, JC-1 staining and ROS assay. The activity of caspases using a chemoluminescence assay and western blot analysis was conducted to study the apoptotic pathway induced by the compound in MCF-7 cells. Lastly, cell cycle analysis was conducted using flow cytometry.
RESULTS: Upon 48 hours of treatment, compound P7a inhibited the proliferation of human breast cancer cells with IC50 values of 178.92 ± 12.51μM and 33.75 ± 1.20μM for MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7, respectively. Additionally, compound P7a showed selectivity towards the cancer cell line, MCF-7 compared to the normal breast cell line, hTERT-HME1, an advantage against current anticancer drugs (tamoxifen and vinblastine). Flow cytometric analyses using different assays indicated that compound P7a significantly increased the proportion of apoptotic cells, increased mitochondria membrane permeabilisation and caused generation of ROS in MCF-7. In addition, cell cycle analysis showed that cell proliferation was arrested at the G1 phase in the MCF-7 cell line. Furthermore, upon treatment, the MCF-7 cell line showed increased activity of caspase-3/7, and caspase-9. Lastly, the western blot analysis showed the up-regulation of pro-apoptotic proteins along with up-regulation of caspase-7 and caspase-9, indicating that an intrinsic pathway of apoptosis was induced.
CONCLUSION: The results suggest that compound P7a could be a potential chemotherapeutic agent for breast cancer.
AIM OF THE STUDY: This study aimed to investigate the effect of ionic liquid-Graviola fruit pulp extract (IL-GPE) on the metabolomics behavior of colon cancer (HT29) by using an untargeted GC-TOFMS-based metabolic profiling.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: Multivariate data analysis was used to determine the metabolic profiling, and the ingenuity pathway analysis (IPA) was used to predict the altered canonical pathways after treating the HT29 cells with crude IL-GPE and Taxol (positive control).
RESULTS: The principal components analysis (PCA) identified 44 metabolites with the most reliable factor loading, and the cluster analysis (CA) separated three groups of metabolites: metabolites specific to the non-treated HT29 cells, metabolites specific to the treated HT29 cells with the crude IL-GPE and metabolites specific to Taxol treatment. Pathway analysis of metabolomic profiles revealed an alteration of many metabolic pathways, including amino acid metabolism, aerobic glycolysis, urea cycle and ketone bodies metabolism that contribute to energy metabolism and cancer cell proliferation.
CONCLUSION: The crude IL-GPE can be one of the promising anticancer agents due to its selective inhibition of energy metabolism and cancer cell proliferation.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: The in vivo toxicity (acute and subacute toxicity) study was carried out by oral administration of TQNLC and TQ to BALB/c mice. Animal survival, body weight, organ weight-to-body weight ratio, hematological profile, biochemistry profile, and histopathological changes were analyzed.
RESULTS: In acute toxicity, TQ that is loaded in nanostructured lipid carrier (NLC) was found to be less toxic than pure TQ. It can be concluded that encapsulation of TQ in lipid carrier minimizes the toxicity of the compound. In the subacute toxicity study, oral administration of 100 mg/kg of TQNLC and TQ did not cause mortality to either male or female but resulted in toxicity to the liver. It is postulated that long-term consumption of TQNLC and TQ may cause toxicity to the liver but not to the extent of altering the functions of the organ. For both treatments, the no observed adverse effect level (NOAEL) was found to be 10 mg/kg/d for mice in both sexes.
CONCLUSION: For long-term oral consumption, TQ and TQNLC at a dose of 10 mg/kg is safe in mice and does not exert any toxic effect. The results provide safety information of TQNLC, which would further help researchers in clinical use.
OBJECTIVE: In the present review, we highlight the Notch signalling pathway components i.e. Notch receptors, ligands, effector, and their regulators. We also discuss the tumor biology of the Notch pathway involved in various cancers.
RESULTS: Interestingly, the Notch signalling pathway is dysregulated in many cancers. Notch may serve as oncogene or tumor suppressor and plays an important role in cancers of the liver, pancreas, endometrium of uterus, ovary, prostate, bladder and colon. The activation of Notch pathway plays a vital role in the progression of some cancer. In addition, Notch pathway activation was also shown to drive chemoresistance in cancer, as well. Chemotherapeutically, combined NOTCH1 inhibitor synergistically attenuated chemotherapy-enriched cancer stem cell population both in vitro and in vivo. This may prove to be beneficial in the treatment of cancer.
CONCLUSION: The Notch inhibitors possess anti-proliferative effects on cancer, thereby serving as a new treatment for cancer.