Putative supramolecular complexes formed by carotenoids and xanthophylls with ascorbic acid to reverse multidrug resistance in cancer cells.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

The molecular basis of interaction of selected carotenoids and xanthophylls with ascorbic acid on cancer cells was studied to determine their anticancer effects.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

Drug accumulation was measured in a human ABCB1 gene-transfected mouse lymphoma cell line and in a human lung cancer cell line by flow cytometry; furthermore, their anticancer effects were determined in mice in vivo.

RESULTS:

Several carotenoids inhibited the multidrug resistance of cancer cells. Ascorbic acid improved the effect of certain xanthophylls, but the effect of capsanthin was not modified. Capsanthin had weak (12%) but capsorubin (85%) had a remarkable antiproliferative effect on A549 lung cancer cells. Capsorubin reduced immediate-early tumor antigen expression, while capsanthin was not effective. Capsorubin accumulates selectively in the nuclei of cancer cells.

CONCLUSION:

The Authors suggest a special complex formation between membrane-bound capsorubin and ascorbic acid, which can be exploited in experimental chemotherapy.

• Authors: József Molnár, Julianna Serly, Rozália Pusztai, Irén Vincze, Péter Molnár, Györgyi Horváth, József Deli, Takashi Maoka, Attila Zalatnai, Harukuni Tokuda, Hoyoku Nishino
• Journal: Anticancer research (Anticancer Res) Vol. 32 Issue 2 Pg. 507-17 (Feb 2012) ISSN: 1791-7530 [Electronic] Greece
• PMID: 22287739 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• ATP Binding Cassette Transporter 1
• ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters
• Xanthophylls
• capsanthin
• capsorubin
• Ascorbic Acid

Topics

• ATP Binding Cassette Transporter 1
• ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters (biosynthesis, genetics, metabolism)
• Animals
• Ascorbic Acid (pharmacokinetics, pharmacology)
• Cell Line, Tumor
• Drug Resistance, Multiple
• Drug Resistance, Neoplasm
• Drug Synergism
• Humans
• Lung Neoplasms (drug therapy, genetics, metabolism)
• Lymphoma, T-Cell (drug therapy, genetics, metabolism)
• Male
• Mice
• Mice, Inbred CBA
• Neoplasms (drug therapy, metabolism)
• Pancreatic Neoplasms (drug therapy, metabolism)
• Transfection
• Xanthophylls (pharmacokinetics, pharmacology)
• Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays