Synergistic effects of meloxicam and conventional cytotoxic drugs in human MG-63 osteosarcoma cells

Heterocycles in Breast Cancer Treatment: The Use of Pyrazole Derivatives

Among the aromatic heterocycle rings, pyrazole -a five-membered ring with two adjacent nitrogen atoms in its structure has been postulated as a potent candidate in the pharmacological context. This moiety is an interesting therapeutic target covering a broad spectrum of biological activities due to its presence in many natural substances. Hence, the potential of the pyrazole derivatives as antitumor agents has been explored in many investigations, showing promising results in some cases. In this sense, breast cancer, which is already the leading cause of cancer mortality in women in some countries, has been the topic selected for this review, which covers a range of different research from the earliest studies published in 2003 to the most recent ones in 2021.

Effect of Meloxicam on the Proliferation and Apoptosis of the Raji Cell Line: an In Vitro Study

Meloxicam, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, inhibits the production of PGE2 by blocking Cox-2 activity. Specific inhibition of Cox-2 can be useful in cancer therapy by apoptosis stimulation. The objective of the research was to study the effect of meloxicam on the proliferation and apoptosis of Raji cell lines. Burkitt lymphoma (BL) cells (Raji ATCC CCL-86) were treated with various concentrations of meloxicam for 24 hours. The proliferation of the cells was evaluated by using an MTT assay. Cell apoptosis was assessed using flow cytometry, and SEM was performed to observe the morphological changes of the cells. Results showed that meloxicam affected Raji cell proliferation as well as cell apoptosis. The percentage of viable cells was decreased significantly after being treated with meloxicam (p < 0.05). Apoptotic cell percentage was higher in the groups treated with meloxicam compared to the control group (p < 0.05). SEM showed morphological changes in the Raji cells after treatment with meloxicam, showing apoptotic characteristics. These findings suggest that meloxicam has anticancer properties by inhibiting Raji cell proliferation and inducing Raji cell apoptosis in vitro. A combination of meloxicam with chemotherapy agents may improve the outcome of BL treatment.

Interactions of Analgesics with Cisplatin: Modulation of Anticancer Efficacy and Potential Organ Toxicity

Cisplatin (CDDP), one of the most eminent cancer chemotherapeutic agents, has been successfully used to treat more than half of all known cancers worldwide. Despite its effectiveness, CDDP might cause severe toxic adverse effects on multiple body organs during cancer chemotherapy, including the kidneys, heart, liver, gastrointestinal tract, and auditory system, as well as peripheral nerves causing severely painful neuropathy. The latter, among other pains patients feel during chemotherapy, is an indication for the use of analgesics during treatment with CDDP. Different types of analgesics, such as acetaminophen, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS), and narcotic analgesics, could be used according to the severity of pain. Administered analgesics might modulate CDDP’s efficacy as an anticancer drug. NSAIDS, on one hand, might have cytotoxic effects on their own and few of them can potentiate CDDP’s anticancer effects via inhibiting the CDDP-induced cyclooxygenase (COX) enzyme, or through COX-independent mechanisms. On the other hand, some narcotic analgesics might ameliorate CDDP’s anti-neoplastic effects, causing chemotherapy to fail. Concerning safety, some analgesics share the same adverse effects on normal tissues as CDDP, augmenting its potentially hazardous effects on organ impairment. This article offers an overview of the reported literature on the interactions between analgesics and CDDP, paying special attention to possible mechanisms that modulate CDDP’s cytotoxic efficacy and potential adverse reactions.

Elucidating the mechanisms of action of parecoxib in the MG-63 osteosarcoma cell line

Different types of tumors often present an overexpression of cyclooxygenase-2. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of parecoxib (NSAID, cyclooxygenase-2 selective inhibitor) in the behavior of the human osteosarcoma MG-63 cell line, concerning several biological features. Cells were exposed to several concentrations of parecoxib for 48 hours. Cell viability/proliferation, cyclooxygenase-2 expression, morphologic alterations, membrane integrity, cell cycle evaluation, cell death and genotoxicity were evaluated. When compared with untreated cells, parecoxib led to a marked decrease in cell viability/proliferation, in COX-2 expression and changes in cell morphology, in a concentration-dependent manner. Cell recuperation was observed after incubation with drug-free medium. Parecoxib exposure increased lactate dehydrogenase release, an arrest of the cell cycle at S-phase and G2/M-phase, as well as growth of the sub-G0/G1-fraction and increased DNA damage. Parecoxib led to a slight increase of necrosis regulated cell death in treated cells, and an increase of autophagic vacuoles, in a concentration-dependent manner. In this study, parecoxib showed antitumor effects in the MG-63 human osteosarcoma cells. The potential mechanism was inhibiting cell proliferation and promoting necrosis. These results further suggested that parecoxib might be a potential candidate for in-vivo studies.

Alantolactone inhibits proliferation, metastasis and promotes apoptosis of human osteosarcoma cells by suppressing Wnt/β-catenin and MAPKs signaling pathways

Although there are many therapeutic strategies such as surgery and chemotherapy, the prognosis of osteosarcoma (OS) is still far from being satisfactory. It is urgent to develop more effective, tolerable and safe drugs for the treatment of OS. In the present study, we investigated the anti-OS activity of Alantolactone (ALT), a natural eucalyptone sesquiterpene lactone mainly exists in Inula helenium, and probed the possible mechanism involved. We demonstrated that ALT significantly inhibited cell proliferation of various human OS cell lines while had relative lower cytotoxicity against normal cells. Then, we validated that ALT reduced migration, decreased invasion possibly through reversing epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) process and suppressing Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). Moreover, we confirmed that ALT promoted apoptosis and arrested cell cycle at G2/M phase of human OS cells in vitro. In addition, we confirmed that ALT restrained tumor growth and metastasis of OS 143 cells in a xenograft model in vivo. Mechanistically, ALT inhibited the activity of Wnt/β-catenin and p38, ERK1/2 and JNK Mitogen Activated Protein Kinases (MAPKs) signal pathway. Notably, the combination of ALT and Wnt/β-catenin inhibitor, as well as the combination of ALT and MAPKs inhibitors resulted in a synergistically effect on inhibiting the proliferation, migration and invasion of OS cells. Collectively, our results validate the ALT may inhibit proliferation, metastasis and promotes apoptosis of human OS cells possibly through suppressing Wnt/β-Catenin and MAPKs signaling pathways.

Metal complexes of flavonoids: their synthesis, characterization and enhanced antioxidant and anticancer activities

Flavonoids are polyphenolic compounds of natural origin. They are extensively studied within drug discovery programs due to their wide ranging biological activities such as antimicrobial, antioxidant, antitumor, neuroprotective and cardioprotective properties. The ability of flavonoids to coordinate with metal atoms has provided new leads for drug discovery programs, with better pharmacological activities and clinical profiles than the parent flavonoids. In this review, the enhanced antioxidant and anticancer activities of flavonoid metal complexes versus the parent flavonoids are discussed. Possible mechanisms of action for the metal complexes, such as DNA binding and apoptosis induction, are also presented alongside an overview of the synthesis of the metal complexes, and the different techniques used for their characterization.

Synergistic growth inhibitory effect of deracoxib with doxorubicin against a canine mammary tumor cell line, CMT-U27

Cyclooxygenase (COX) inhibitors have been shown to exert anti-angiogenic and anti-tumor activities on many types of malignant tumors. These anticancer properties make it worthwhile to examine the possible benefit of combining COX inhibitors with other anti-cancer agents. In the present study, we evaluated the potential of deracoxib (DER) in potentiating antitumor activity of doxorubicin (DOX) in canine mammary carcinoma cells (CMT-U27). DER (50–250 µM) enhanced the antiproliferative activity of DOX by reducing the IC₅₀ (approximately 3- to 3.5 fold). Interaction analysis of the data showed that combinations of DOX at 0.9 µM with DER (100–250 µM) produced synergism in the CMT-U27 cell line, with a ratio index ranging from 1.98 to 2.33. In additional studies identifying the mechanism of observed synergistic effect, we found that DER strongly potentiated DOX-caused G₀/G₁ arrest in cell cycle progression. Also, DER (100–250 µM) augmented apoptosis induction with approximately 1.35- and 1.37- fold increases in apoptotic response caused by DOX in the cells. DER enhanced the antiproliferative effect of DOX in conjunction with induction of apoptosis by modulation of Bcl-2 expression and changes in the cell cycle of the CMT-U27 cell line. Although the exact molecular mechanism of the alterations in the cell cycle and apoptosis observed with DER and DOX combinations require further investigations, the results suggest that the synergistic effect of DOX and DER combinations in CMT therapy may be achieved at relatively lower doses of DOX with lesser side effects. Therefore, combining DER with DOX may prove beneficial in the clinical treatment of canine mammary cancer.

Utilizing the protein corona around silica nanoparticles for dual drug loading and release

A protein corona forms spontaneously around silica nanoparticles (SNPs) in serum-containing media. To test whether this protein corona can be utilized for the loading and release of anticancer drugs we incorporated the hydrophilic doxorubicin, the hydrophobic meloxicam as well as their combination in the corona around SNPs. The application of corona-covered SNPs to osteosarcoma cells revealed that drug-free particles did not affect the cell viability. In contrast, SNPs carrying a protein corona with doxorubicin or meloxicam lowered the cell proliferation in a concentration-dependent manner. In addition, these particles had an even greater antiproliferative potential than the respective concentrations of free drugs. The best antiproliferative effects were observed for SNPs containing both doxorubicin and meloxicam in their corona. Co-localization studies revealed the presence of doxorubicin fluorescence in the nucleus and lysosomes of cells exposed to doxorubicin-containing coated SNPs, suggesting that endocytotic uptake of the SNPs facilitates the cellular accumulation of the drug. Our data demonstrate that the protein corona, which spontaneously forms around nanoparticles, can be efficiently exploited for loading the particles with multiple drugs for therapeutic purposes. As drugs are efficiently released from such particles they may have a great potential for nanomedical applications.

Cytotoxicity enhancement in MDA-MB-231 cells by the combination treatment of tetrahydropalmatine and berberine derived from Corydalis yanhusuo W. T. Wang

Aim:

Our previous works have demonstrated that Chinese herb medicine yanhusuo (Corydalis yanhusuo W. T. Wang) has strong anti-cancer proliferation effect in MDA-MB-231 cells. The goal of this study was to find out the synergic cytotoxicity effect of three natural compounds, tetrahydropalmatine (THP), berberine (Ber), and dehydrocorydaline (DHC), isolated from C. yanhusuo W. T. Wang.

Materials and Methods:

The IC₅₀ of THP Ber and DHC in single use, as well as in combination use at fixed ratios and doses was measured by MTT (3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5 diphenyl tetrazolium bromide) assay. Isobologram, combination index and modified coefficient of drug interaction (CDI) methods were used for evaluation the combination effects of THF! Ber, and DHC in different ratio and concentration.

Results:

The results indicated that the combination of THP and Ber shown the strongest anti-cancer cell proliferation effect at the ratio of 2:3 (Ber: THF the average CDI value was 0.5795). DHC and THP have additive cytotoxicity in MDA-MB-231 cells. However, there wasn’t any synergistic effect between Ber and DHC, and it even exhibited antagonistic effect when the percentage of DHC was >50%.

Conclusion:

Our findings suggested that the combination of THP and Ber might be beneficial for anti-proliferation of MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells through a significant synergy effect.

Celecoxib enhances the inhibitory effect of cisplatin on Tca8113 cells in human tongue squamous cell carcinoma in vivo and in vitro

BACKGROUND

Overexpression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) is associated with carcinogenesis, invasiveness, and metastasis of malignant tumors. Inhibition of COX-2 is one hot topic of research in prevention and treatment of malignant tumors. Because of the selective and specific inhibition on the activity of COX-2, the roles of celecoxib in prevention and treatment of tumors have attracted broad attention in recent years. In this study, we investigated the inhibitory effect of celecoxib combined with cisplatin on the proliferation of human tongue squamous cell carcinoma cell line Tca8113 in vivo and in vitro.

METHODS

Human tongue squamous cell carcinoma tumor cells Tca8113 and a mouse model with Tca8113 cells were used to study the growth inhibition of cisplatin enhanced by celecoxib. Drug treatment of Tca8113 in vitro and mice bearing xenografts in vivo were used. The level of COX-2 expression was detected by Western blotting. Sensitivity of cells to drug treatment was analyzed by MTT assay.

RESULTS

Treatment of Tca8113 cells with cisplatin (CDDP) had less effect on the expression of COX-2, whereas the COX-2 expression was significantly down-regulated after treatment with celecoxib alone or in combination with CDDP for 24 h. In addition, the combination of celecoxib with CDDP was also able to inhibit the Tca8113 line heterotransplanted in Balb/c nude mice.

CONCLUSIONS

Those findings indicate that a low dose of celecoxib could augment CDDP-induced growth inhibition of Tca8113 cells and its xenograft in Balb/c nude mice.

Establishment and characterization of a novel human malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor cell line, FMS-1, that overexpresses epidermal growth factor receptor and cyclooxygenase-2

Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor (MPNST) is a rare soft tissue sarcoma. We established a new human MPNST cell line (designated FMS-1) from MPNST of the right brachial plexus of a 69-year-old woman with NF1. The cell line has been maintained for >24 months with >100 passages. FMS-1 cells showed a fibrosarcoma-like or epithelioid pattern in the heterotransplanted tumor, compared with a fascicular growth pattern of short-spindle tumor cells in the primary tumor. Immunophenotypically, FMS-1 cells showed almost the same characteristics as the primary tumor. Cytogenetic and molecular analyses revealed a deletion in exons 5-8 of the p53 gene. Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 were expressed in FMS-1 cells. To improve the highly aggressive course and poor prognosis and establish new therapeutic methods, molecular genetic and biological characterizations of MPNST are required. Thus, FMS-1 cells might be useful for investigating biological behaviors and developing new molecular-targeting antitumor drugs for MPNST expressing EGFR or COX-2.

Evaluation of the cytotoxicity and genotoxicity of curcumin in PC12 cells

Neurotoxicity induced by reactive oxygen species can appear as an adverse effect of chemotherapy treatment with platinum compounds, such as cisplatin. The use of this drug in clinical practice is limited due to its adverse effects, including nephrotoxicity, ototoxicity, neurotoxicity and genotoxicity. Functional foods or nutraceuticals have demonstrated potential neuroprotective activity in several experiments and models. This study aimed to investigate the possible cytotoxicity and genotoxicity/antigenotoxic effects of curcumin in PC12 cells exposed to cisplatin. Cell viability and genotoxicity/antigenotoxicity were evaluated by the MTT assay and micronucleus test, respectively. PC12 cells were treated with different concentrations of cisplatin and curcumin (0.5 -- 128 microg/mL). Analysis of the results showed that high concentrations of curcumin were cytotoxic and increased micronuclei frequency compared to the control group. In the associated treatments, at all three concentrations evaluated, curcumin significantly reduced the total frequency of micronuclei induced by cisplatin. Determining the cytotoxic and genotoxic/antigenotoxic effects of this frequently used antioxidant in a neuronal model is important to assess possible hazards when combined with other chemical agents, including chemotherapy drugs used in cancer therapy.

Acetylsalicylic acid regulates MMP-2 activity and inhibits colorectal invasion of murine B16F0 melanoma cells in C57BL/6J mice: effects of prostaglandin F(2)alpha

Epidemiological studies indicate that acetylsalicylic acid may reduce the risk of mortality due to colon cancers. Metastasis is the major cause of cancer death. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) play important roles in tumor invasion regulation, and prostaglandin F(2)alpha (PGF(2)alpha) is a key stimulator of MMP production. Thus, we investigated whether acetylsalicylic acid regulated MMP activity and the invasion of cancer cells and whether PGF(2)alpha attenuated acetylsalicylic acid-inhibited invasion of cancer cells. Gelatin-based zymography assays showed that acetylsalicylic acid inhibited the MMP-2 activity of B16F0 melanoma cells. Matrigel-based chemoinvasion assays showed that acetylsalicylic acid inhibited the invasion of B16F0 cells. Acetylsalicylic acid can inhibit PGF(2)alpha synthesis and PGF(2)alpha is a key stimulator of MMP-2 production. Our data showed that PGF(2)alpha treatment attenuated the acetylsalicylic acid-inhibited invasion of B16F0 cells. In animal experiments, acetylsalicylic acid reduced colorectal metastasis of B16F0 cells in C57BL/6J mice by 44%. Our results suggest that PGF(2)alpha is a therapeutic target for metastasis inhibition and acetylsalicylic acid may possess anti-metastasis ability.