Anticancer Potential of Mefenamic Acid Derivatives with Platelet-Derived Growth Factor Inhibitory Property

Mefenamic acid exhibits antitumor activity against osteosarcoma by impeding cell growth and prompting apoptosis in human osteosarcoma cells and xenograft mice model

The study investigates the anticancer activity of mefenamic acid against osteosarcoma, shedding light on its underlying mechanisms and therapeutic potential. Mefenamic acid exhibited robust inhibitory effects on the proliferation of MG-63, HOS, and H2OS osteosarcoma cells in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, mefenamic acid induced cellular toxicity in MG63 cells, as evidenced by LDH leakage, reflecting its cytotoxic impact. Furthermore, mefenamic acid effectively suppressed the migration and invasion of MG-63 cells. Mechanistically, mefenamic acid induced apoptosis in MG-63 cells through mitochondrial depolarization, activation of caspase-dependent pathways, and modulation of the Bcl-2/Bax axis. Additionally, mefenamic acid promoted autophagy and inhibited the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway, further contributing to its antitumor effects. The molecular docking studies provide compelling evidence that mefenamic acid interacts specifically and strongly with key proteins in the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway, suggesting a novel mechanism by which mefenamic acid could exert anti-osteosarcoma effects. In vivo studies using a xenograft mouse model demonstrated significant inhibition of MG-63 tumor growth without adverse effects, supporting the translational potential of mefenamic acid as a safe and effective therapeutic agent against osteosarcoma. Immunohistochemistry staining corroborated the in vivo findings, highlighting mefenamic acid's ability to suppress tumor proliferation and inhibit the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway within the tumor microenvironment. Collectively, these results underscore the promising therapeutic implications of mefenamic acid in combating osteosarcoma, warranting further investigation for clinical translation and development.

The Potential Preventive and Therapeutic Roles of NSAIDs in Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer (PC) is the second most common type of cancer and the leading cause of death among men worldwide. Preventing the progression of cancer after treatments such as radical prostatectomy, radiation therapy, and hormone therapy is a major concern faced by prostate cancer patients. Inflammation, which can be caused by various factors such as infections, the microbiome, obesity and a high-fat diet, is considered to be the main cause of PC. Inflammatory cells are believed to play a crucial role in tumor progression. Therefore, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs along with their effects on the treatment of inflammation-related diseases, can prevent cancer and its progression by suppressing various inflammatory pathways. Recent evidence shows that nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are effective in the prevention and treatment of prostate cancer. In this review, we discuss the different pathways through which these drugs exert their potential preventive and therapeutic effects on prostate cancer.

In silico molecular docking, ADME study and synthesis of new 1,3-diazetidin-2-one derivatives with high anti-proliferative activity

Background: Cancer and inflammation are strongly connected; tumor growth and spread are also greatly influenced by inflammation. Nitrogen-based heterocycle analogs are excellent suppliers of pharmaceuticals. Quaternary rings play a bigger role in drug development as bioactive scaffolds. For improved tolerance and synergistic benefits, heterocyclic nitrogen rings are present in many anticancer medications. Understanding how to bind to the EGFR and its prospective impacts on cancer cells, expect to construct new heterocyclic compounds that may help produce potent anticancer medicines with a high safety profile. Methods: Novel 1,3-diazetidin-2-one derivatives were designed, synthesized from mefenamic acid, and their cytotoxic activity against a lung cancer cell line (A549) was initially tested in vitro. These compounds were anchored to the crystal structure of the epidermal growth factor receptor (PDB code 1M17) in a molecular docking study to determine their binding affinity at the active site. The newly synthesized derivatives were verified and confirmed by elemental analysis and spectroscopic data (FT-IR, 1H-NMR, and 13C-NMR). In addition, physicochemical, drug-like, and toxicological predictions were performed for these derivatives. Results: Based on a molecular docking study, all compounds (M4a-e) demonstrated superior PLPfitness (84.70, 85.89, 91.90, 88.61, and 92.77, respectively) to erlotinib (76.20). The anti-proliferation evaluation of the A549 cell line revealed that compounds M4c and M4e had exceptional and promising anti-proliferative activity on this cell line to treat lung cancer, with IC50 values of 1.75 µm and 2.05 µm at 72 hours, respectively, making them significantly more active than the reference erlotinib, which had an IC50 value of 11.5 µm at 72 hours. Conclusions: The cytotoxicity investigation and the molecular docking study showed a robust association with the novel compounds (M4a-e). Suggest a comprehensive pharmacological survey to understand how these newly created chemicals combat cancer fully.

Evaluations of aqueous humor protein markers in different types of glaucoma

To compare the concentrations of protein markers in aqueous humor (AH) of patients with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG), chronic angle-closure glaucoma (CACG), acute primary angle closure (APAC), and cataract without glaucoma as the control group. AH samples were collected at the beginning of surgery from 82 eyes of 82 patients who were divided into POAG (n = 23), CACG (n = 21), APAC (n = 19), and cataract groups (n = 19). The expression levels of interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), interleukin-2 (IL-2), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-8 (IL-8), interleukin-17A (IL-17A), lymphotoxin-alpha (LT-α), monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1), matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2), brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), platelet-derived growth factor-AA (PDGF-AA), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-1 (TIMP-1), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) in AH were detected using a microsphere-based immunoassay. The AH levels of TNF-α, MMP-2, MCP-1, IFN-γ, and TIMP-1 in the APAC and CACG groups were significantly higher than those in control eyes. Additionally, the AH levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and VEGF in the APAC group were significantly higher than those in the control group (CG). The interleukin-8 (IL-8) levels in patients with POAG were significantly higher than those in control eyes, whereas the LT-α levels were significantly lower than those in control eyes. IL-6 levels were significantly correlated with the coefficient of variation (CV), whereas IL-6 levels were significantly negatively correlated with the frequency of hexagonal cells (HEX) and corneal endothelial cell density (CD). The levels of TNF-α, MMP-2, MCP-1, IFN-γ, TIMP-1, IL-6, IL-8, VEGF, and LT-α were different among the three types of glaucoma. These different types of glaucoma may be caused by various pathogeneses, which opens avenues for further investigation into the pathogenesis of glaucoma and discoveries new targets and pathways for the treatment of glaucoma.

Functional Role of Novel Indomethacin Derivatives for the Treatment of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Through Inhibition of Platelet-Derived Growth Factor

BACKGROUND

Several studies suggested anticancer potential of NSAIDs. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate novel indomethacin derivatives for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma.

METHODS

The molecular docking of derivatives was carried out for prediction of inhibitory effect on PDGFR-α using pass online software, followed by cytotoxicity study by performing MTT assay. The disease was induced with N-Nitrosodiethylamine (200 mg/kg, i.p.) followed by 2-acetylaminofluorene orally for two weeks. After 12 weeks of induction, treatment was given for one week and blood was collected for determination of biochemical parameters and tumor markers. Liver samples were isolated for immunohistochemistry, histopathology, and gene expression study for VEGF.

RESULTS

JI-MT has shown maximum inhibitory activity for PDGFRα in docking study also showed good cytotoxic effect in the HepG2 cell line and based on the IC₅₀ values, JI-MT was selected for in-vivo study. We have found statistically significant reduction in body weight gain, number of nodules and liver weight to body weight ratio with treatment with JI-MT. Hepatoprotective role of JI-MT has been observed in tumor-specific markers like α-fetoprotein levels, carcinoembryonic antigen and PDGF-α levels. Liver markers like ALT, ALP, AST, LDH and total bilirubin levels were found to be reduced with treatments. Also, on histopathological examination, the protective effect of JI-MT was observed. Treatment also showed increased expression of P53 in immunohistochemical analysis and up-regulation of VEGF gene by JI-MT.

CONCLUSION

From the present study, we can conclude that JI-MT has potential in treatment of HCC by the virtue of PDGFRα inhibitory activity.