The potential of
cinnamic acid as an anti-inflammatory and anti-
cancer agent has been studied previously. In our investigation, novel bio-isosters of cinnamyl
sulfonamide hydroxamate were synthesized, characterized and confirmed for their structure and evaluated for cytotoxicity. Three NCEs namely, NMJ-1, -2 and -3 showed cell-growth inhibition in 6 human
cancer cell lines with IC50 at the range of 3.3±0.15-44.9±2.6 μM. The hydroxamate derivatives of cinnamyl
sulfonamide are reported inhibitors of HDAC
enzyme. Thus, the effectiveness of these molecules was determined by whole cell HDAC assay in HCT 116 cell line. NMJ-2 (0.41±0.01 μM) exhibited better
enzyme inhibition (IC50) compared to SAHA (2.63±0.07). In order to evaluate induction of apoptosis by treatment,
Hoechst 33342 and AO/EB nuclear staining methods were used. Further, cell cycle analysis,
Annexin V binding and
caspase 3/7 activation assays were performed by flow cytometry where NMJ-2 significantly arrested the cell cycle at G2/M phase, increased
Annexin V binding to the cell surface and activation of
caspase-3/7. Bax/Bcl-2 ratio was observed by Western blot and showed an increase with NMJ-2 treatment. This was comparable to standard SAHA. The acute toxicity study (OECD-425) showed that NMJ-2 was safe up to 2000 mg/kg in rats. 1,2-Dimethyl
hydrazine (
DMH) was used to produce experimental
colon adenocarcinoma in Wistar rats.
5-FU and NMJ-2 (100 mg/kg p.o. and 10 mg/kg i.p. once daily for 21 days, respectively) were administered to the respective groups. Both treatments significantly reduced ACFs,
adenocarcinoma count, TNF-α,
IL-6,
nitrite and
nitrate levels in colonic tissue. Our findings indicate that NMJ-2 has potent anti-
cancer activity against
colon cancer, by acting through HDAC
enzyme inhibition and activation of intrinsic mitochondrial apoptotic pathway, with additional anti-inflammatory activity.