Clarifying the molecular mechanism of tomentosin‑induced antiproliferative and proapoptotic effects in human multiple myeloma via gene expression profile and genetic interaction network analysis

Antineoplastic Properties by Proapoptotic Mechanisms Induction of Inula viscosa and Its Sesquiterpene Lactones Tomentosin and Inuviscolide

Cancer is a complex disease including approximately 200 different entities that can potentially affect all body tissues. Among the conventional treatments, radiotherapy and chemotherapy are most often applied to different types of cancers. Despite substantial advances in the development of innovative antineoplastic drugs, cancer remains one of the most significant causes of death, worldwide. The principal pitfall of successful cancer treatment is the intrinsic or acquired resistance to therapeutic agents. The development of more effective or synergistic therapeutic approaches to improve patient outcomes and minimize toxicity has become an urgent issue. Inula viscosa is widely distributed throughout Europe, Africa, and Asia. Used as a medicinal plant in different countries, I. viscosa has been characterized for its complex chemical composition in order to identify the bioactive compounds responsible for its biological activities, including anticancer effects. Sesquiterpene lactones (SLs) are natural, biologically active products that have attracted considerable attention due to their biological activities. SLs are alkylating agents that form covalent adducts with free cysteine residues within enzymes and key proteins favoring cancer cell cytotoxicity. They are effective inducers of apoptosis in several cancer cell types through different molecular mechanisms. This review focuses on recent advances in the cytotoxic effects of I. viscosa and SLs in the treatment of neoplastic diseases, with a special emphasis on their proapoptotic molecular mechanisms.

Tomentosin induces apoptosis in pancreatic cancer cells through increasing reactive oxygen species and decreasing mitochondrial membrane potential

The aim of this study was to determine possible anticancer effect of tomentosin, a natural sesquiterpene lactone, on pancreatic cancer cells. The cytotoxic effect of tomentosin was determined by XTT analysis. Colony formation and apoptosis analyzes were performed, Reactive oxygen species (ROS) level and change in mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) were evaluated in control and tomentosin-treated cells. The effect of tomentosin on expression levels of apoptosis-related genes was determined by qRT-PCR and Caspase-3 and Caspase-9 proteins were analyzed by western blot. And, the effect of tomentosin on migration and invasion of cells were evaluated. The IC₅₀ dose of tomentosin was found to be 31.11 μM in PANC-1 cells and 33.93 μM in MIA PaCa-2 cells for 48 h. And, treatment of tomentosin at IC₅₀ dose suppressed the colony forming capacity of cells. While tomentosin increased apoptosis rate and ROS production, an decrease was observed in MMP. Tomentosin affected expression level of apoptosis-related genes and increased Caspase-3 and Caspase-9 protein levels. After tomentosin treatment, cell migration and invasion were suppressed. As a result, this study reveals that tomentosin has anticancer effects on pancreatic cancer cells, and therefore it predicts that tomentosin can be evaluated as an effective agent against pancreatic cancer.