Diosmetin (Dis) is a bioflavonoid with cytotoxicity properties against variety of cancer cells including hepatocarcinoma, breast and colorectal (CRC) cancer. The exact mechanism by which Dis acts against CRC however, still remains unclear, hence in this study, we investigated the possible molecular mechanisms of Dis in CRC cell line, HCT-116. Here, we monitored the viability of HCT-116 cells in the presence of Dis and investigated the underlying mechanism of Dis against HCT-116 cells at the gene and protein levels using NanoString and proteome profiler array technologies. Findings demonstrated that Dis exhibits greater cytotoxic effects towards HCT-116 CRC cells (IC50 = 3.58 ± 0.58 µg/ml) as compared to the normal colon CCD-841 cells (IC50 = 51.95 ± 0.11 µg/ml). Arrests of the cells in G2/M phase confirms the occurrence of mitotic disruption via Dis. Activation of apoptosis factors such as Fas and Bax at the gene and protein levels along with the release of Cytochrome C from mitochondria and cleavage of Caspase cascades indicate the presence of turbulence as a result of apoptosis induction in Dis-treated cells. Moreover, NF-ƙB translocation was inhibited in Dis-treated cells. Our results indicate that Dis can target HCT-116 cells through the mitotic disruption and apoptosis induction.
Matched MeSH terms: M Phase Cell Cycle Checkpoints/drug effects*
Phosphanegold(I) thiolates, Ph3PAu[SC(OR)=NPh], R=Me (1), Et (2) and iPr (3), were previously shown to be significantly cytotoxic toward HT-29 cancer cells and to induce cell death by both intrinsic and extrinsic apoptotic pathways whereby 1 activated the p73 gene, and each of 2 and 3 activated p53; 2 also caused apoptotic cell death via the c-Jun N-terminal kinase/mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway. Apoptosis pathways have been further evaluated by mitochondrial cytochrome c measurements and annexin V screening, confirming apoptotic pathways of cell death. Cell cycle analysis showed the majority of treated HT-29 cells were arrested at the G2/M checkpoint after 24h; results of both assays were confirmed by changes in populations of relevant genes (PCR array analysis). Cell invasion studies showed inhibition of metastasis through Matrigel™ matrix to 17-22% cf. untreated cells. LC50values were determined in zebrafish (8.36, 8.17, and 7.64μM for 1-3). Finally, the zebrafish tolerated doses of 1 and 2 up to 0.625μM, and 3 was tolerated at even higher doses of up to 1.25μM.
Matched MeSH terms: M Phase Cell Cycle Checkpoints/drug effects*
In the present study, we investigated the in-vitro anti-cancer potential of six diarylpentanoids against a panel of BRAF- and KRAS-mutated colorectal cancer cell lines including T84, SW620, LoVo, HT29, NCI-H508, RKO, and LS411N cells. Structure-activity relationship study suggested that the insertions of tetrahydro-4H-thiopyran-4-one and brominated phenyl moieties are essential for better cytotoxicity. Among the evaluated analogs, 2e has been identified as the lead compound due to its low IC50 values of approximately 1 µM across all cancer cell lines and high chemotherapeutic index of 7.1. Anti-proliferative studies on LoVo cells showed that 2e could inhibit cell proliferation and colony formations by inducing G2/M cell cycle arrest. Subsequent cell apoptosis assay confirmed that 2e is a Bcl-2 inhibitor that could induce intrinsic cell apoptosis by creating a cellular redox imbalance through its direct inhibition on the Bcl-2 protein. Further molecular docking studies revealed that the bromophenyl moieties of 2e could interact with the Bcl-2 surface pocket through hydrophobic interaction, while the tetrahydro-4H-thiopyran-4-one fragment could form additional Pi-sulfur and Pi-alkyl interactions in the same binding site. In all, the present results suggest that 2e could be a potent lead that deserves further modification and investigation in the development of a new Bcl-2 inhibitor.
Matched MeSH terms: M Phase Cell Cycle Checkpoints/drug effects*
Glucoraphasatin (GRH), a glucosinolate present abundantly in the plants of the Brassicaceae family, is hydrolyzed by myrosinase to raphasatin, which is considered responsible for its cancer chemopreventive activity; however, the underlying mechanisms of action have not been investigated, particularly in human cell lines. The aims of this study are to determine the cytotoxicity of raphasatin, and to evaluate its potential to cause apoptosis and modulate cell cycle arrest in human breast adenocarcinoma MCF-7 cells. The cytotoxicity was determined following incubation of the cells with glucoraphasatin or raphasatin (0⁻100 µM), for 24, 48, and 72 h. GRH displayed no cytotoxicity as exemplified by the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. When myrosinase was added to the incubation system to convert GRH to raphasatin, cytotoxicity was evident. Exposure of the cells to raphasatin stimulated apoptosis, as was exemplified by cell shrinkage, membrane blebbing, chromatin condensation, and nuclear fragmentation. Moreover, using Annexin V-FITC assay, raphasatin induced apoptosis, as witnessed by changes in cellular distribution of cells, at different stages of apoptosis; in addition, raphasatin caused the arrest of the MCF-7 cells at the G₂ + M phase. In conclusion, raphasatin demonstrated cancer chemopreventive potential against human breast adenocarcinoma (MCF-7) cells, through induction of apoptosis and cell cycle arrest.
Matched MeSH terms: M Phase Cell Cycle Checkpoints/drug effects
Natural medicinal products possess diverse chemical structures and have been an essential source for drug discovery. Therefore, in this study, α-mangostin (AM) is a plant-derived compound was investigated for the apoptotic effect on human cervical cancer cells (HeLa). The cytotoxic effects of AM on the viability of HeLa and human normal ovarian cell line (SV40) were evaluated by using MTT assay. Results showed that AM inhibited HeLa cells viability at concentration- and time-dependent manner with IC50 value of 24.53 ± 1.48 µM at 24 h. The apoptogenic effects of AM on HeLa were assessed using fluorescence microscopy analysis. The effect of AM on cell proliferation was also studied through clonogenic assay. ROS production evaluation, flow cytometry (cell cycle) analysis, caspases 3/7, 8, and 9 assessment and multiple cytotoxicity assays were conducted to determine the mechanism of cell apoptosis. This was associated with G2/M phase cell cycle arrest and elevation in ROS production. AM induced mitochondrial apoptosis which was confirmed based on the significant increase in the levels of caspases 3/7 and 9 in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, the MMP disruption and increased cell permeability, concurrent with cytochrome c release from the mitochondria to the cytosol provided evidence that AM can induce apoptosis via mitochondrial-dependent pathway. AM exerted a remarkable antitumor effect and induced characteristic apoptogenic morphological changes on HeLa cells, which indicates the occurrence of cell death. This study reveals that AM could be a potential antitumor compound on cervical cancer in vitro and can be considered for further cervical cancer preclinical and in vivo testing.
Matched MeSH terms: M Phase Cell Cycle Checkpoints
Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is a ubiquitous tumor-causing virus which infects more than 90% of the world population asymptomatically. Recent studies suggest that LMP-1, -2A and -2B cooperate in the tumorigenesis of EBV-associated epithelial cancers such as nasopharygeal carcinoma, oral and gastric cancer. In this study, LMPs were expressed in the HEK293T cell line to reveal their oncogenic mechanism via investigation on their involvement in the regulation of the cell cycle and genes that are involved. LMPs were expressed in HEK293T in single and co-expression manner. The transcription of cell cycle arrest genes were examined via real-time PCR. Cell cycle progression was examined via flow cytometry. 14-3-3σ and Reprimo were upregulated in all LMP-1 expressing cells. Moreover, cell cycle arrest at G(2)/M progression was detected in all LMP-1 expressing cells. Therefore, we conclude that LMP-1 may induce cell cycle arrest at G(2)/M progression via upregulation of 14-3-3σ and Reprimo.
Matched MeSH terms: M Phase Cell Cycle Checkpoints/genetics
A series of novel 2-amino-4-(3-hydroxy-4-phenoxyphenyl)-6-(4-substituted phenyl) nicotinonitriles were synthesized and evaluated against HepG2, A-549 and Vero cell lines. Compounds 3b (IC50 16.74 ± 0.45 µM) and 3p (IC50 10.57 ± 0.54 µM) were found to be the most active compounds against A-549 cell line among the evaluated compounds. Further 3b- and 3p-induced apoptosis was characterized by AO/EB (acridine orange/ethidium bromide) nuclear staining method and also by DNA fragmentation study. A decrease in cell viability and initiation of apoptosis was clearly evident through the morphological changes in the A-549 cells treated with 3b and 3p when stained with this method. Fragmentation of DNA into nucleosomes was observed which further confirmed the cell apoptosis in cells treated with compound 3b. Flow cytometry studies confirmed the cell cycle arrest at G2/M phase in A549 cells treated with compound 3b. Further in silico studies performed supported the in vitro anticancer activity of these compounds as depicted by dock score and binding energy values.
Matched MeSH terms: M Phase Cell Cycle Checkpoints/drug effects
The asymptomatic properties and high treatment resistance of ovarian cancer result in poor treatment outcomes and high mortality rates. Although the fundamental chemotherapy provides promising anticancer activities, it is associated with severe side effects. The derivative of phenothiazine, namely, 10H-3,6-diazaphenothiazine (PTZ), was synthesized and reported with ideal anticancer effects in a previous paper. In this study, detailed anticancer properties of PTZ was examined on A2780 ovarian cancer cells by investigating the cytotoxicity profiles, mechanism of apoptosis, and cell invasion. Research outcomes revealed PTZ-induced dose-dependent inhibition on A2780 cancer cells (IC50 =0.62 µM), with significant less cytotoxicity toward HEK293 normal kidney cells and H9C2 normal heart cells. Generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and polarization of mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm) suggests PTZ-induced cell death through oxidative damage. The RT2 Profiler PCR Array on apoptosis pathway demonstrated PTZ-induced apoptosis via intrinsic (mitochondria-dependent) and extrinsic (cell death receptor-dependent) pathway. Inhibition of NF-κB and subsequent inhibition of (BIRC6-XIAP) complex activities reduced the invasion rate of A2780 cancer cells penetrating through the Matrigel™ Invasion Chamber. Lastly, the cell cycle analysis hypothesizes that the compound is cytostatic and significantly arrests cell proliferation at G2/M phase. Hence, the exploration of the underlying anticancer mechanism of PTZ suggested its usage as promising chemotherapeutic agent.
Matched MeSH terms: M Phase Cell Cycle Checkpoints/drug effects
Dentatin (DEN), purified from the roots of Clausena excavata Burm f., has poor aqueous solubility that reduces its therapeutic application. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of DEN-HPβCD (hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin) complex as an anticancer agent in HT29 cancer cell line and compare with a crystal DEN in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO). The exposure of the cancer cells to DEN or DEN-HPβCD complex leads to cell growth inhibition as determined by MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay. To analyze the mechanism, in which DEN or DEN-HPβCD complex causes the death in human colon HT29 cancer cells, was evaluated by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELIZA)-based assays for caspase-3, 8, 9, and reactive oxygen species (ROS). The findings showed that an anti-proliferative effect of DEN or DEN-HPβCD complex were via cell cycle arrest at the G2/M phase and eventually induced apoptosis through both mitochondrial and extrinsic pathways. The down-regulation of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) which leaded to apoptosis upon treatment, was investigated by Western-blotting. Hence, complexation between DEN and HPβCD did not diminish or eliminate the effective properties of DEN as anticancer agent. Therefore, it would be possible to resolve the conventional and current issues associated with the development and commercialization of antineoplastic agents in the future.
Matched MeSH terms: M Phase Cell Cycle Checkpoints/drug effects*
Nature has provided us with a wide spectrum of disease healing phytochemicals like Artonin E, obtained from the root bark of Artocarpus elasticus. This molecule had been predicted to be drug-like, possessing unique medicinal properties. Despite strides made in chemotherapy, prognosis of the heterogenous aggressive triple negative breast cancer is still poor. This study was conducted to investigate the mechanism of inhibition of Artonin E, a prenylated flavonoid on MDA-MB 231 triple negative breast cancer cell, with a view of mitigating the hallmarks displayed by these tumors. The anti-proliferative effect, mode of cell death and the mechanism of apoptosis induction were investigated. Artonin E, was seen to effectively relinquish MDA-MB 231 breast cancer cells of their apoptosis evading capacity, causing a half-maximal growth inhibition at low concentrations (14.3, 13.9 and 9.8 μM) after the tested time points (24, 48 and 72 hours), respectively. The mode of cell death was observed to be apoptosis with defined characteristics. Artonin E was seen to induce the activation of both extrinsic and intrinsic caspases initiators of apoptosis. It also enhanced the release of total reactive oxygen species which polarized the mitochondrial membrane, compounding the release of cytochrome c. Gene expression studies revealed the upregulation of TNF-related apoptosis inducing ligand and proapoptotic genes with down regulation of anti-apoptotic genes and proteins. A G2/M cell cycle arrest was also observed and was attributed to the observed upregulation of p21 independent of the p53 status. Interestingly, livin, a new member of the inhibitors of apoptosis was confirmed to be significantly repressed. In all, Artonin E showed the potential as a promising candidate to combat the aggressive triple negative breast cancer.
Matched MeSH terms: M Phase Cell Cycle Checkpoints/drug effects
Boesenbergia rotunda (Roxb.) Schlecht (family zingiberaceae) is a rhizomatous herb that is distributed from north-eastern India to south-east Asia, especially in Indonesia, Thailand and Malaysia. Previous research has shown that the crude extract of this plant has cytotoxic properties. The current study examines the cytotoxic properties of boesenbergin A isolated from Boesenbergia rotunda.
Matched MeSH terms: M Phase Cell Cycle Checkpoints/drug effects*