Biological Effects of EF24, a Curcumin Derivative, Alone or Combined with Mitotane in Adrenocortical Tumor Cell Lines.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Curcumin has numerous properties and is used in many preclinical conditions, including cancer. It has low bioavailability, while its derivative EF24 shows enhanced solubility. However, its effects have never been explored in adrenocortical tumor cell models. The efficacy of EF24 alone or combined with mitotane (reference drug for adrenocortical cancer) was evaluated in two adrenocortical tumor cell lines, SW13 and H295R.

METHOD AND RESULTS:

EF24 reduced cell viability with an IC50 (half maximal inhibitory concentration) of 6.5 ± 2.4 μM and 4.9 ± 2.8 μM for SW13 and H295R cells, respectively. Combination index (EF24 associated with mitotane) suggested an additivity effect in both cell lines. Cell cycle analysis revealed an increase in subG0/G1 phase, while motility assay showed a decrease in migratory cell capacity, and similarly, clonogenic assay indicated that EF24 could reduce colony numbers. Furthermore, Wnt/β-catenin, NF-κB, MAPK, and PI3k/Akt pathways were modulated by Western blot analysis when treating cells with EF24 alone or combined with mitotane. In addition, intracellular reactive oxygen species levels increased in both cell lines.

CONCLUSION:

This work analyzed EF24 in adrenocortical tumor cell lines for the first time. These results suggest that EF24 could potentially impact on adrenocortical tumors, laying the foundation for further research in animal models.

• Authors: Loris Bertazza, Susi Barollo, Maria Elena Mari, Irene Faccio, Maira Zorzan, Marco Redaelli, Beatrice Rubin, Decio Armanini, Caterina Mian, Raffaele Pezzani
• Journal: Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) (Molecules) Vol. 24 Issue 12 (Jun 12 2019) ISSN: 1420-3049 [Electronic] Switzerland
• PMID: 31212829 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• 3,5-bis(2-fluorobenzylidene)piperidin-4-one
• Antineoplastic Agents
• Benzylidene Compounds
• Piperidones
• Reactive Oxygen Species
• Mitotane
• Curcumin

Topics

• Adrenal Cortex Neoplasms
• Animals
• Antineoplastic Agents (chemistry, pharmacology)
• Benzylidene Compounds (chemistry, pharmacology)
• Cell Cycle (drug effects)
• Cell Line, Tumor
• Cell Movement
• Cell Proliferation (drug effects)
• Cell Survival (drug effects)
• Curcumin (analogs & derivatives, chemistry, pharmacology)
• Drug Evaluation, Preclinical
• Drug Synergism
• Humans
• Mice
• Mitotane (pharmacology)
• Molecular Structure
• Piperidones (chemistry, pharmacology)
• Reactive Oxygen Species (metabolism)