Background:
Defects in the physiological mechanisms of apoptosis are one of the pivotal factors implicated in
carcinogenesis. Thus, the development of novel compounds that target various apoptotic pathways has provided promising
anticancer therapeutic opportunities.
Objective:
This study explores the cytotoxic effects of a novel unsymmetrical azine against specific cancer cell lines and
investigates the mechanism of cytotoxicity.
Methods:
Molecular modeling was used to test the binding affinity of four new unsymmetrical azines to a model of an
apoptosis inhibitor protein (XIAP). The compound with the highest binding affinity, C4, was further tested on different cell
lines. Real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and transmission electron microscope (TEM) were used to study apoptosis
induction biochemically and morphologically.
Results:
In comparison to cisplatin as a control, the compound C4 exhibited notable cytotoxicity against all tested cancer
cell lines, especially the human colorectal carcinoma cell line (HCT-116). Furthermore, C4-treated cells demonstrated
marked overexpression of the pro-apoptotic proteins Bax and caspase-3 as well as the tumor suppressor p53. On the other
hand, the expression of the anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2 was inhibited. On TEM examination, C4-treated HCT-116 cells
showed classical structural signs of apoptosis.
Conclusion:
This study identifies a novel azine (C4) which induces remarkable cytotoxicity against colorectal carcinoma
cell line, mediated through apoptosis induction. These novel insights suggest C4 as a promising therapeutic agent in
colorectal cancer.