Hepatoprotective effect of acetone semicarbazone on Ehrlich ascites carcinoma induced carcinogenesis in experimental mice

Rhodium complex [RhLI2]I: a novel anticancer agent inducing tumor inhibition and apoptosis

Numerous chemotherapeutic agents are currently employed in cancer treatment, but many are associated with significant side effects. This study aims to identify a novel anticancer drug that minimizes or eliminates these adverse effects. The anticancer activity of the Rhodium (III) complex cis-[RhLI2]I was evaluated through both in vivo and in vitro functional assays. Apoptosis in cancer cells post-treatment was assessed using microscopy and gene expression analysis. In cytotoxicity screening via the brine shrimp lethality bioassay, the compound exhibited an LC50 value of 25.90 µg/mL (P < 0.001). It also achieved an 88.96% inhibition of cell growth (P < 0.001), an 82.39% increase in lifespan (P < 0.001), and a significant reduction in tumor weight at a dosage of 200 µg/kg in Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC)-bearing Swiss albino mice. Restoration of hematological parameters, such as RBC, WBC, and hemoglobin levels, was observed in treated tumor-bearing mice compared to untreated EAC-bearing mice. The compound inhibited the growth and proliferation of breast cancer (MCF7) cells in a dose-dependent manner, achieving a maximum inhibition of 88.9% at 200 µg/mL. Apoptotic induction in MCF7 cells occurred through the upregulation of p53, Bax, caspase-3, -8, and -9, alongside the downregulation of the anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2. No long-term adverse effects on hematological or biochemical parameters or tissue levels were observed in the mice. Given these findings, this compound demonstrates significant cytotoxic effects and has the potential to serve as a promising chemotherapeutic agent, warranting further investigation at more advanced stages.

2', 4'-dihydroxy-3, 4-methylenedioxychalcone Activate Mitochondrial Apoptosis of Ehrlich Ascites Carcinoma Cells

Background:

Development of effective cancer-chemotherapy is the most challenging field due to the toxicity of chemo-agents.

Objective:

As chalcone has been known to have pharmacological applications, here the aim is to synthesized three chalcone derivatives, 2',4'-dihydroxy-3,4-methylenedioxychalcone (C1), 2'-hydroxy- 2,4, 6-trimethoxychalcone (C2) and 2'-hydroxy-4-methylchalcone (C3) and investigate their anti-cancer properties against Ehrlich Ascites Carcinoma (EAC) cell.

Method:

Anticancer properties against EAC cells were studied by examining growth inhibition, MTT assays, tumour-bearing mice survival, tumour weight measurement and haematological profiles. Moreover, apoptosis of EAC cells was investigated by fluorescence microscopy, flowcytometry and DNA fragmentation assays. Expression of apoptosis related genes were studied by reverse transcriptase-PCR (RT-PCR).

Results:

Among the compounds, C1 exhibited highest cell growth inhibition at 200 mg/kg/day (81.71%; P < 0.01). C1 treatment also increased the life span of EAC-bearing mice (82.60%, P < 0.05) with the reduction of tumour burden (<) compared to untreated EAC-bearing mice. In vitro study indicated that C1 killed EAC-cells in a dose-dependent manner and induced mitochondria-mediated apoptotic pathways. In addition, C1 treated cells exhibited increased apoptotic features such as membrane blebbing, chromatin condensation, and nuclear fragmentation after Hoechst 33342 staining. Increased fragmentation of DNA in gel electrophoresis followed by C1 treatment further confirmed apoptosis of EAC cells. EAC cells treated with C1 showed reduced Bcl-2 expression in contrast to notable upregulation of p53 and Bax expression. It implied that C1 could reinstate the expression of pro-apoptotic tumour suppressor and inhibit anti-apoptotic genes.

Conclusions:

Thus, C1 showed significant growth inhibitory properties and induced apoptosis of EAC cells.