El-Aarag B, Shalaan ES, Ahmed AAS, El Sayed IET, Ibrahim WM. Cryptolepine Analog Exhibits Antitumor Activity against Ehrlich Ascites Carcinoma Cells in Mice
via Targeting Cell Growth, Oxidative Stress, and PTEN/Akt/mTOR Signaling Pathway.
Anticancer Agents Med Chem 2024;
24:436-442. [PMID:
38305388 DOI:
10.2174/0118715206274318231128072821]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2023] [Revised: 10/12/2023] [Accepted: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 02/03/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND
The efficacy of chemotherapy continues to be limited due to associated toxicity and chemoresistance. Thus, synthesizing and investigating novel agents for cancer treatment that could potentially eliminate such limitations is imperative.
OBJECTIVE
The current study aims to explore the anticancer potency of cryptolepine (CPE) analog on Ehrlich ascites carcinoma cells (EACs) in mice.
METHODS
The effect of a CPE analog on EAC cell viability and ascites volume, as well as malonaldehyde, total antioxidant capacity, and catalase, were estimated. The concentration of caspase-8 and mTOR in EACs was also measured, and the expression levels of PTEN and Akt were determined.
RESULTS
Results revealed that CPE analog exerts a cytotoxic effect on EAC cell viability and reduces the ascites volume. Moreover, this analog induces oxidative stress in EACs by increasing the level of malonaldehyde and decreasing the level of total antioxidant capacity and catalase activity. It also induces apoptosis by elevating the concentration of caspase-8 in EACs. Furthermore, it decreases the concentration of mTOR in EACs. Moreover, it upregulates the expression of PTEN and downregulates the expression of Akt in EACs.
CONCLUSION
Our findings showed the anticancer activity of CPE analog against EACs in mice mediated by regulation of the PTEN/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway.
Collapse