Piceatannol Suppresses the Proliferation and Induced Apoptosis of Osteosarcoma Cells Through PI3K/AKT/mTOR Pathway

Piceatannol induces caspase-dependent apoptosis by modulating intracellular reactive oxygen species/mitochondrial membrane potential and enhances autophagy in neuroblastoma cells

The aim of this study was to evaluate the anticancer effects of piceatannol, a natural stilbenoid, on human neuroblastoma cells. In order to accomplish this goal, we performed various cellular assays, including the XTT cell proliferation assay for cell viability, colony formation assay for colony formation capacity, FITC Annexin V and cell death detection kit for apoptosis, matrigel invasion assay for invasion capacity, intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) red dye for intracellular ROS levels, TMRM staining method for mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), and the CYTO-ID autophagy detection kit for autophagy. Furthermore, we analyzed the expression levels of genes associated with apoptosis and autophagy using RT-qPCR. Based on our findings, piceatannol exhibited cytotoxic effects on neuroblastoma cells. Besides, treatment with piceatannol at both 50 and 100 μM concentrations for 72 h decreased colony formation, induced apoptosis and autophagy, inhibited cell invasion, decreased MMP, and increased ROS levels in SH-SY5Y cells. In addition, we observed significant upregulation in the expression levels of CASP8, BECLIN, ATG5, ATG7, and MAPILC3A genes between the two doses. These results suggest that piceatannol enhances autophagic activity and induces caspase-dependent apoptosis, indicating its potential as a therapeutic agent against neuroblastoma cells.

New emerging targets in osteosarcoma therapy: PTEN and PI3K/Akt crosstalk in carcinogenesis

Osteosarcoma (OS) is a malignant bone carcinoma that affects people in childhood and adulthood. The heterogeneous nature and chromosomal instability represent certain characteristics of OS cells. These cancer cells grow and migrate abnormally, making the prognosis undesirable for patients. Conventional and current treatments fail to completely eradicate tumor cells, so new therapeutics targeting genes may be considered. PI3K/Akt is a regulator of events such as growth, cell death, migration, and differentiation, and its expression changes during cancer progression. PTEN reduces PI3K/Akt expression, and its mutations and depletions have been reported in various tumors. Experimental evidence shows that there is upregulation of PI3K/Akt and downregulation of PTEN in OS. Increasing PTEN expression may suppress PI3K/Akt to minimize tumorigenesis. In addition, PI3K/Akt shows a positive association with growth, metastasis, EMT and metabolism of OS cells and inhibits apoptosis. Importantly, overexpression of PI3K/Akt causes drug resistance and radio-resistance and its level can be modulated by miRNAs, lncRNAs and circRNAs. Silencing PI3K/Akt by compounds and drugs can suppress OS. Here, we review in detail the function of the PTEN/PI3K/Akt in OS, revealing its biological function, function in tumor progression, resistance to therapy, and pharmacological significance.

Targeting signaling pathways in osteosarcoma: Mechanisms and clinical studies

Osteosarcoma (OS) is a highly prevalent bone malignancy among adolescents, accounting for 40% of all primary malignant bone tumors. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy combined with limb-preserving surgery has effectively reduced patient disability and mortality, but pulmonary metastases and OS cells' resistance to chemotherapeutic agents are pressing challenges in the clinical management of OS. There has been an urgent need to identify new biomarkers for OS to develop specific targeted therapies. Recently, the continued advancements in genomic analysis have contributed to the identification of clinically significant molecular biomarkers for diagnosing OS, acting as therapeutic targets, and predicting prognosis. Additionally, the contemporary molecular classifications have revealed that the signaling pathways, including Wnt/β-catenin, PI3K/AKT/mTOR, JAK/STAT3, Hippo, Notch, PD-1/PD-L1, MAPK, and NF-κB, have an integral role in OS onset, progression, metastasis, and treatment response. These molecular classifications and biological markers have created new avenues for more accurate OS diagnosis and relevant treatment. We herein present a review of the recent findings for the modulatory role of signaling pathways as possible biological markers and treatment targets for OS. This review also discusses current OS therapeutic approaches, including signaling pathway-based therapies developed over the past decade. Additionally, the review covers the signaling targets involved in the curative effects of traditional Chinese medicines in the context of expression regulation of relevant genes and proteins through the signaling pathways to inhibit OS cell growth. These findings are expected to provide directions for integrating genomic, molecular, and clinical profiles to enhance OS diagnosis and treatment.

Anti-Leukemia Activity of Polysaccharide from Sargassum fusiforme via the PI3K/AKT/BAD Pathway In Vivo and In Vitro

Studies have shown that Sargassum fusiforme and its extracts are effective herbal treatments for leukemia. We previously found that a polysaccharide from Sargassum fusiforme, SFP 2205, stimulated apoptosis in human erythroleukemia (HEL) cells. However, the structural characterization and antitumoral mechanisms of SFP 2205 remain uncertain. Here, we studied the structural characteristics and anticancer mechanisms of SFP 2205 in HEL cells and a xenograft mouse model. The results demonstrated that SFP 2205, with a molecular weight of 41.85 kDa, consists of mannose, rhamnose, galactose, xylose, glucose, and fucose with monosaccharides composition of 14.2%, 9.4%, 11.8%, 13.7%, 11.0%, and 38.3%, respectively. On animal assays, SFP 2205 significantly inhibited growth of HEL tumor xenografts with no discernible toxicity to normal tissues. Western blotting showed that SFP 2205 therapy improved Bad, Caspase-9, and Caspase-3 protein expression, and ultimately induced HEL tumor apoptosis, indicating mitochondrial pathway involvement. Furthermore, SFP 2205 blocked the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway and 740 Y-P, an activator of the PI3K/AKT pathway, rescued the effects of SFP 2205 on HEL cell proliferation and apoptosis. Overall, SFP 2205 may be a potential functional food additive or adjuvant for preventing or treating leukemia.

Application of human iPSC-derived macrophages in a miniaturized high-content-imaging-based efferocytosis assay

Macrophages play a pivotal role in drug discovery due to their key regulatory functions in health and disease. Overcoming the limited availability and donor variability of human monocyte-derived macrophages (MDMs), human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived macrophages (IDMs) could provide a promising tool for both disease modeling and drug discovery. To access large numbers of model cells for medium- to high-throughput application purposes, an upscaled protocol was established for differentiation of iPSCs into progenitor cells and subsequent maturation into functional macrophages. These IDM cells resembled MDMs both with respect to surface marker expression and phago- as well as efferocytotic function. A statistically robust high-content-imaging assay was developed to quantify the efferocytosis rate of IDMs and MDMs allowing for measurements both in the 384- and 1536-well microplate format. Validating the applicability of the assay, inhibitors of spleen tyrosine kinase (Syk) were shown to modulate efferocytosis in IDMs and MDMs with comparable pharmacology. The miniaturized cellular assay with the upscaled provision of macrophages opens new routes to pharmaceutical drug discovery in the context of efferocytosis-modulating substances.

Harmine suppresses the malignant phenotypes and PI3K activity in breast cancer

Breast cancer remains a serious threaten to the women's health, discovery of potent treatment would help to improve the outcomes of breast cancer patients. Harmine extracted from Peganum harmala L , has been reported to exert tumor suppressive activity in several malignancies. Our objective was to demonstrate the effects of harmine on the malignant phenotypes of breast cancer cells. Breast cancer cell lines (MDA-MB-231, SKBR3, and MCF-7) and human normal breast cell line MCF-10A were employed in the present study. The MTT and colony formation assays were applied to the detection of cell viability and proliferation. Wound healing and transwell assays were performed to evaluate the alterations of cell migration and invasion after harmine treatment. Flow cytometry was applied to assess the effect of harmine in inducing cell apoptosis. Furthermore, western blotting assay was used to detect the biomarkers of epithelial-mesenchymal transition and phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase (PI3K) signaling pathway. The tumorigenesis ability was detected by subcutaneous implantation. Harmine dose-dependently suppressed the viability and proliferative capacity of breast cancer cells. Flow cytometry showed that harmine induced apoptosis in MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells. In addition, harmine effectively inhibited the migration and invasion abilities of breast cancer cells. Western blotting indicated harmine significantly promoted E-cadherin and PTEN expression, while suppressed N-cadherin, vimentin, PI3K, p-mTOR, and AKT levels. Interfering the PTEN expression by siRNA partly rescued the activity of PI3K signaling pathway. Moreover, harmine injection also suppressed the tumorigenesis of breast cancer cells. Our results suggested that Hermine could suppress multiple malignant phenotypes and inhibit PI3K signaling, which supports that harmine might be a potential tumor-suppressive natural compound against breast cancer.

Targeted therapy for osteosarcoma: a review

BACKGROUND

Osteosarcoma is a common primary malignant tumour of the bone that usually occurs in children and adolescents. It is characterised by difficult treatment, recurrence and metastasis, and poor prognosis. Currently, the treatment of osteosarcoma is mainly based on surgery and auxiliary chemotherapy. However, for recurrent and some primary osteosarcoma cases, owing to the rapid progression of disease and chemotherapy resistance, the effects of chemotherapy are poor. With the rapid development of tumour-targeted therapy, molecular-targeted therapy for osteosarcoma has shown promise.

PURPOSE

In this paper, we review the molecular mechanisms, related targets, and clinical applications of targeted osteosarcoma therapy. In doing this, we provide a summary of recent literature on the characteristics of targeted osteosarcoma therapy, the advantages of its clinical application, and development of targeted therapy in future. We aim to provide new insights into the treatment of osteosarcoma.

CONCLUSION

Targeted therapy shows potential in the treatment of osteosarcoma and may offer an important means of precise and personalised treatment in the future, but drug resistance and adverse effects may limit its application.

Piceatannol enhances Beclin-1 activity to suppress tumor progression and its combination therapy strategy with everolimus in gastric cancer

The effects and regulation of Beclin-1-an autophagy-related protein-have not been fully defined, however, a negative correlation has been reported between Beclin-1 expression and carcinogenesis. Meanwhile, no compound has been shown to directly inhibit its activity. Here, we evaluate piceatannol, a naturally occurring polyphenolic compound, as a potential targeting agonist of Beclin-1, to assess its efficacy as an antitumor agent against gastric cancer. More specifically, we determine the effects of piceatannol treatment on cell viability using a monitoring system and colony forming assay. Piceatannol was found to efficiently inhibit the proliferation of several human gastric cancer cell lines. Autophagic flux is increased by piceatannol treatment, and correlates with inhibition of cell proliferation and colony formation. Additionally, microscale thermophoresis and surface plasmon resonance results show a direct interaction between piceatannol and Beclin-1, which reduces the phosphorylation activity of Beclin-1 at the Ser-295 site. Notably, piceatannol impairs the binding of Beclin-1 to Bcl-2 and enhances the recruitment of binding of UV radiation resistance-associated gene protein, which further triggers Beclin-1-dependent autophagy signaling. An increase in autophagic activity via treatment with the mTOR inhibitor, everolimus, effectively sensitizes piceatannol-induced antitumor effects. Xenograft models confirmed that piceatannol inhibits tumor development and elicits a potent synergistic effect with everolimus in vivo. Taken together, the findings of this study strongly support the application of combinatorial piceatannol and everolimus therapy in future clinical trials for gastric cancer patients.

Design and development of novel 1,2,3-triazole chalcone derivatives as potential anti-osteosarcoma agents via inhibition of PI3K/Akt/mTOR signalling pathway

Osteosarcoma (OS) is an uncommon tumour that mainly affects bone in children and adolescents. The current treatment options of OS are of limited significance due to their immense side effects. In the present manuscript, we have developed a novel series of 1,2,3-triazole chalcone derivatives as potential agents against OS. The compounds were synthesized and evaluated for their PI3K and mTOR inhibitory activity using luminescent kinase assay, and Lance ultra assay, resp. The entire set of compounds showed significant to moderate inhibition of both kinases in the nanomolar range. The three most active compounds: 4e (N-(4-(3-(1-(4-bromophenyl)-1H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)acryloyl)phenyl)-4-nitrobenzamide), 4f (N-(4-(3-(1-(4-bromophenyl)-1H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)acryloyl)phenyl)-4-chlorobenzamide) and 4g (4-bromo-N-(4-(3-(1-(4-bromophenyl)-1H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)acryloyl)phenyl)benzamide), were evaluated for anticancer activity against human OS cancer cell line (MG-63), liver cancer cell line (HepG2), lung cancer cell line (A549) and cervical cancer (HeLa), using MTT assay. Among the tested series, compound 4e showed a better inhibitory profile than gedatolisib against PI3K and was approximately comparable to that of gedatolisib against mTOR. The most significant inhibitory activity was observed for compound 4e against all cell lines (MG-63, HepG2, A549 and HeLa), still somewhat lower to comparable to that of gedatolisib, but with the highest potency against MG-63 cells. Compound 4e was further tested for anti-cancer activity against other OS cells and showed to be equipo-tent to gedatolisib against U2OS and Saos-2 cells. Moreover, it was also found non-toxic to normal cells (BEAS-2B and MCF 10A). The effect of compound 4e was further determined on apoptosis of Saos-2 cells by Annexin-PI assay, where it significantly amplified the percentage of apoptotic cells. Novel 1,2,3-triazole chalcone derivatives are potential agents against OS.

Hexokinase 2 promoted cell motility and proliferation by activating Akt1/p-Akt1 in human ovarian cancer cells

Background

Recently, increasing evidence has indicated that elevation of Hexokinase 2 (HK2) plays an important role in several cancers on regulating cell motility and growth. However, its role on regulating cell EMT in human ovarian cancer still less to known.

Methods

The transwell and wound-healing assay were used to detect the effective of HK2 on regulating motility of ovarian cancer cells. Real Time PCR and Western Blotting were used to explore the changing of EMT-related proteins in HK2-modified cells. The clonogenic formation, cell growth curves and MTT assays were used to evaluate the effective of HK2 on regulating cell proliferation in HK2-modified cells. The flow cytometry was used to detect the differences in the distribution of cells in the cell cycle between the HK2-modified cells and their control cells. The correlation of HK2 and Akt1/p-Akt1 was explored by using Western Blotting, Akt1 inhibitor (MK2206) and transient transfection of an Akt1 recombinant plasmid. The potential correlation between HK2 and EMT-related proteins in human ovarian cancer tissues and OV (ovarian serous cystadenocarcinoma) was confirmed by using Pearson correlation analysis and TIMER 2.0.

Results

In ovarian cancer cells, overexpressing of HK2 enhanced cell motility by inducing of EMT-related proteins, such as CDH2, fibronectin, MMP9, ZEB1, ZEB2 and vimentin. Moreover, overexpressing of HK2 promoted cell growth by reducing p21 and p27 expression in ovarian cancer cells. Further studies demonstrated that this promotion of cell motility and growth by HK2 was probably a result of it activating of Akt1 (p-Akt1) in ovarian cancer cells. Additionally, the positive correlation between HK2 and p-Akt1, fibronectin, MMP9 expression in human ovarian cancer samples was verified by using Pearson correlation analysis. The positive correlation between HK2 and CDH2, fibronectin, MMP9, ZEB1, ZEB2 and vimentin in OV (ovarian serous cystadenocarcinoma) was confirmed by using TIMER 2.0.

Conclusion

This study demonstrated that HK2 could induce EMT-related proteins and reduce cell cycle inhibitor by activating Akt1 in human ovarian cancer cells, subsequently enhancing cell motility and growth, suggesting that HK2 participate in the malignant process of ovarian cancer by interacting with Akt1.

Mammalian Target of Rapamycin as the Therapeutic Target of Vascular Proliferative Diseases: Past, Present, and Future

ABSTRACT

The abnormal proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) is a key pathological characteristic of vascular proliferative diseases. Mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) is an evolutionarily conserved serine/threonine kinase that plays an important role in regulating cell growth, motility, proliferation, and survival, as well as gene expression in response to hypoxia, growth factors, and nutrients. Increasing evidence shows that mTOR also regulates VSMC proliferation in vascular proliferative diseases and that mTOR inhibitors, such as rapamycin, effectively restrain VSMC proliferation. However, the molecular mechanisms linking mTOR to vascular proliferative diseases remain elusive. In our review, we summarize the key roles of the mTOR and the recent discoveries in vascular proliferative diseases, focusing on the therapeutic potential of mTOR inhibitors to target the mTOR signaling pathway for the treatment of vascular proliferative diseases. In this study, we discuss mTOR inhibitors as promising candidates to prevent VSMC-associated vascular proliferative diseases.

Piceatannol suppresses inflammation and promotes apoptosis in rheumatoid arthritis‑fibroblast‑like synoviocytes by inhibiting the NF‑κB and MAPK signaling pathways

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory disease that mainly targets the synovial membrane, thus causing stiffness, deformity and dysfunction of joints. To date, no effective anti-inflammatory treatments are available for RA. Piceatannol (PIC) is a natural derivative of resveratrol, which has been reported to attenuate the inflammatory response. To evaluate the effect of PIC on RA and to determine the underlying molecular target of PIC, both in vitro and in vivo experiments were performed in the present study. A CIA rat model was established to evaluate the therapeutic effects of PIC. TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 levels in blood were measured by ELISA. Western blotting, immunofluorescence analysis and reverse transcription-quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) were used to analyze the expression levels of protein and mRNA. In vitro, RA-fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLSs) were pretreated with PIC and subsequently stimulated with TNF-α. The results revealed that PIC significantly upregulated the expression levels of proapoptotic proteins such as Bax and cleaved caspase-3. PIC also significantly reduced the production of proinflammatory cytokines, including PGE2, IL-6 and IL-1β, and significantly downregulated the expression of cyclooxygenase-2 at both the mRNA and protein expression levels. Furthermore, PIC downregulated the expression of MMP-3 and MMP-13, which have been found to be highly expressed in the synovium of patients with RA. Mechanistically, PIC was capable of significantly downregulating the expression levels of proteins involved in the NF-κB and MAPK signaling pathways. The results of the in vivo experiments using a rat collagen-induced arthritis model demonstrated that PIC decreased the arthritis score and exerted beneficial effects in cartilage and significantly reduced the expression of MMP-13. In conclusion, the findings of the present study revealed that PIC could suppress the inflammatory response, promote apoptosis, and exert a significant regulatory effect on the NF-κB and MAPK signaling pathways in RA-FLSs. Therefore, PIC may represent a potential drug for the future treatment of RA.

Molecular signaling pathways as potential therapeutic targets in osteosarcoma

Among primary bone malignancies, osteosarcoma (OS) is the most common form causing morbidity and mortality in both adults and children. The interesting point about this malignancy is that nearly 10-20% of its newly diagnosed cases have developed metastasis. This adds up to the fact that the survival rate of both metastatic and non-metastatic patients of osteosarcoma hasn't changed in the past 30 years and suggests that we need to revise our therapeutic options for OS. In recent years, diverse signaling pathways have drawn the attention of the scientific community since they can be great candidates for treating complicated diseases such as cancer. In this review, we have tried to explain the pathophysiology of osteosarcoma by the help of different signaling pathways taking part in its initiation/progression and investigate how this pathway can be targeted for providing more efficient methods.

AIM2 inhibits the proliferation, invasion and migration, and promotes the apoptosis of osteosarcoma cells by inactivating the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway

Osteosarcoma is a primary bone tumor that mainly occurs in children and adolescents. Absent in melanoma 2 (AIM2) has been demonstrated to be involved in regulating the occurrence and development of cancer, exerting oncogenic and pro-cancer effects; however, its role in osteosarcoma is poorly understood. The present study aimed to explore the function and molecular mechanism of AIM2 in the progression of osteosarcoma. In the present study, AIM2 expression was predicted using the Cancer Cell Line Encyclopedia database and examined in several osteosarcoma cell lines using reverse transcription-quantitative PCR and western blotting. Following AIM2 overexpression, cell proliferation and apoptosis were examined using Cell Counting Kit-8, colony formation and TUNEL staining assays. The expression levels of proteins related to apoptosis, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway were determined by western blotting. Additionally, cell invasion and migration were assessed using Transwell and wound healing assays. After addition of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway inhibitor LY294002 or activator 740Y-P, cell function analysis was performed. The results demonstrated that AIM2 was expressed at low levels in osteosarcoma cell lines. AIM2 overexpression inhibited proliferation, invasion, migration and EMT, and promoted apoptosis in osteosarcoma cells. Furthermore, the levels of phosphorylated (p)-PI3K, p-AKT and p-mTOR were markedly downregulated following AIM2 overexpression. Furthermore, LY294002 treatment had the same effects as AIM2 upregulation on osteosarcoma cell proliferation, apoptosis, invasion, migration and EMT. By contrast, 740Y-P reversed the effects of AIM2 overexpression on the behavior of osteosarcoma cells. Overall, the findings of the present study demonstrated that AIM2 may inhibit the progression of osteosarcoma by inactivating the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway, and suggested that AIM2 may be a promising marker for the treatment of osteosarcoma.

Function of selected natural antidiabetic compounds with potential against cancer via modulation of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR cascade

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a metabolic disorder with growing global incidence, as 387 million people were diagnosed in 2014 with an expected projection of 642 million in 2040. Several complications are associated with DM including heart attack, stroke, kidney failure, blindness, and cancer. The latter is the second leading cause of death worldwide accounting for one in every six deaths, with liver, pancreas, and endometrium cancers are the most abundant among patients with diabetes. Phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway plays a vital role in developing a wide array of pathological disorders, among them diabetes and cancer. Natural secondary metabolites that counteract the deleterious effects of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and modulate PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway could be a promising approach in cancer therapy. Here, 717 medicinal plants with antidiabetic activities were highlighted along with 357 bioactive compounds responsible for the antidiabetic activity. Also, 43 individual plant compounds with potential antidiabetic activities against cancer via the modulation of PI3K/Akt/mTOR cascade were identified. Taken together, the available data give an insight of the potential of repurposing medicinal plants and/or the individual secondary metabolites with antidiabetic activities for cancer therapy.

7,8-Dihydroxyflavone suppresses proliferation and induces apoptosis of human osteosarcoma cells

Recent studies suggest that 7,8-dihydroxyflavone (7,8-DHF) inhibits the development of several tumors. However, its role in osteosarcoma (OS) remains unknown. This study was designed to investigate the effects and underlying mechanisms of 7,8-DHF that may influence OS development. Human OS cell lines (U2OS and 143B) were treated with 7,8-DHF; cell viability and cell migration were assessed by methylthiazolyldiphenyl-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay and wound-healing assay, respectively; and cell death and apoptosis were evaluated by LIVE/DEAD staining and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT) dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) assay, respectively. Reactive oxygen species production was measured using 2,7-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate probe. Akt, Bcl-xL/Bcl-2 asociated death promoter (Bad), p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), extracellular regulated protein kinase (ERK), and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) expression and their respective phosphorylation levels were detected by western blot analysis. We found that 7,8-DHF reduced cell viability in a dose-dependent manner and also promoted apoptosis, inhibited migration, and induced oxidative stress in OS cells. Moreover, 7,8-DHF inhibited Akt, Bad, and p38MAPK, but activated ERK and JNK signals. In summary, our results suggest that 7,8-DHF inhibits OS progression, possibly by regulating Akt/Bad and MAPK signaling. These findings provide new evidence for the pharmacological effects of 7,8-DHF that may improve drug therapy for OS patients.

Augmentation of anti-proliferative, pro-apoptotic and oxidant profiles induced by piceatannol in human breast carcinoma MCF-7 cells using zein nanostructures

Piceatannol (PCT), a natural polyphenolic stilbene, has pleiotropic pharmacological potentials. It possesses cytotoxic activities toward variant cancerous cells. Zein nanospheres (ZN NSs) have been introduced as ideal nanostructures due to their natural origin, safety, histocompatibility. and convenient method of formulation. The purpose of this study was to explore the impact of PCT-ZN NSs formula on pharmacotherapy potential of PCT against human breast cancer MCF-7 cells. PCT-ZN NSs were formulated and characterized selectively to particle size, zeta potential, encapsulation efficiency and diffusion of PCT. The selected formula has a particle size of 84.4 ± 2.3 nm, zeta potential value of 33.8 ± 1.2 mV and encapsulation efficiency of 89.5 ± 4.1%. PCT-ZN NSs displayed significantly lower IC₅₀ against MCF-7 cells by about 24 folds. Further, PCT-ZN NSs formula showed higher cellular uptake as compared to free PCT. Examination of cell cycle phases displayed cells accumulation in G2-M phase and increased percentage cells in pre-G1 phase indicating an apoptosis-enhancing activity. Annexin V staining indicated augmented early and late apoptosis. PCT-ZN NSs pro-apoptotic activity was confirmed by the observed significant increased mRNA expression of CASP3, p53, and Bax as well as decreased expression of Bcl2. In addition, PCT-ZN NSs induced oxidative stress as evidenced by depletion of glutathione reductase (GR) activity, increased generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and accumulation of lipid peroxidation products. Conclusively, ZN nanostructures of PCT revealed superior cell death-inducing activities against MCF-7 cells in comparison with free PCT. This is mediated, at least partly, by enhanced cellular uptake, pro-apoptotic activity, and oxidative stress potential.