Abstract
Background: Evidence has been provided of the anti-proliferative activity of citalopram against some cancer cells.
Objective: The apoptotic impact of citalopram, an antidepressant, against liver hepatocellular carcinoma cell line HepG2 was investigated in relation to the oxidative pathway and nuclear factor (NF)κB activation.
Method: The cytotoxic effects of citalopram on HepG2 cells were determined by MTT assay. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation and cytochrome c release were measured following treatment with citalopram. Apoptosis analysis and Bax and Bcl-2 mRNA and protein levels were also determined.
Results: The cytotoxic effects of different concentrations of citalopram on HepG2 cells were observed as a reduction in cell viability and an increase in ROS formation. Citalopram caused an increase in mitochondrial Bax levels and a decrease in Bcl2 levels and also caused cytochrome c release. Moreover, DAPI staining and flow cytometry assays revealed citalopram-induced apoptosis in HepG2 cells. Oxidant scavengers and Bay 11-7082 (an irreversible inhibitor of NFκB activation) prevented the citalopram-associated cell death, increased BAX and decreased Bcl2.
Conclusion: Outcomes from current study suggest that citalopram might exhibit apoptotic effect against hepatocellular carcinoma cell line by induction of cell death through cytochrome c release and ROS-dependent activation of NFκB.
Keywords: Citalopram, cancer, apoptosis, Bay11-7082, cytotoxicity, HepG2.
Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry
Title:Anti-Cancer Effects of Citalopram on Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells Occur via Cytochrome C Release and the Activation of NF-kB
Volume: 17 Issue: 11
Author(s): Elham Ahmadian , Aziz Eftekhari , Hossein Babaei , Alireza M. Nayebi and Mohammad A. Eghbal*
Affiliation:
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Postal Code 51664-14766, Tabriz,Iran
Keywords: Citalopram, cancer, apoptosis, Bay11-7082, cytotoxicity, HepG2.
Abstract: Background: Evidence has been provided of the anti-proliferative activity of citalopram against some cancer cells.
Objective: The apoptotic impact of citalopram, an antidepressant, against liver hepatocellular carcinoma cell line HepG2 was investigated in relation to the oxidative pathway and nuclear factor (NF)κB activation.
Method: The cytotoxic effects of citalopram on HepG2 cells were determined by MTT assay. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation and cytochrome c release were measured following treatment with citalopram. Apoptosis analysis and Bax and Bcl-2 mRNA and protein levels were also determined.
Results: The cytotoxic effects of different concentrations of citalopram on HepG2 cells were observed as a reduction in cell viability and an increase in ROS formation. Citalopram caused an increase in mitochondrial Bax levels and a decrease in Bcl2 levels and also caused cytochrome c release. Moreover, DAPI staining and flow cytometry assays revealed citalopram-induced apoptosis in HepG2 cells. Oxidant scavengers and Bay 11-7082 (an irreversible inhibitor of NFκB activation) prevented the citalopram-associated cell death, increased BAX and decreased Bcl2.
Conclusion: Outcomes from current study suggest that citalopram might exhibit apoptotic effect against hepatocellular carcinoma cell line by induction of cell death through cytochrome c release and ROS-dependent activation of NFκB.
Export Options
About this article
Cite this article as:
Ahmadian Elham , Eftekhari Aziz , Babaei Hossein , Nayebi M. Alireza and Eghbal A. Mohammad *, Anti-Cancer Effects of Citalopram on Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells Occur via Cytochrome C Release and the Activation of NF-kB, Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry 2017; 17 (11) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1871520617666170327155930
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1871520617666170327155930 |
Print ISSN 1871-5206 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1875-5992 |
Call for Papers in Thematic Issues
Induction of cell death in cancer cells by modulating telomerase activity using small molecule drugs
Telomeres are distinctive but short stretches present at the corners of chromosomes and aid in stabilizing chromosomal makeup. Resynthesis of telomeres supported by the activity of reverse transcriptase ribonucleoprotein complex telomerase. There is no any telomerase activity in human somatic cells, but the stem cells and germ cells undergone telomerase ...read more
Role of natural compounds as anti anti-cancer agents
Cancer is considered the leading cause of worldwide mortality, accounting for nearly 10 million deaths in 2022. Cancer outcome can be improved through an appropriate screening and early detection and through an efficient clinical treatment. Chemotherapy remains an important approach in treatment o f several types of cancers, even though ...read more
Signaling and enzymatic modulators in cancer treatment
Cancer accounts for nearly 10 million deaths in 2022 and is considered the leading cause of worldwide mortality. Cancer outcome can be improved through an appropriate screening and early detection and through an efficient clinical treatment. Chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgery are the most important approach for the treatment of several ...read more
- Author Guidelines
- Graphical Abstracts
- Fabricating and Stating False Information
- Research Misconduct
- Post Publication Discussions and Corrections
- Publishing Ethics and Rectitude
- Increase Visibility of Your Article
- Archiving Policies
- Peer Review Workflow
- Order Your Article Before Print
- Promote Your Article
- Manuscript Transfer Facility
- Editorial Policies
- Allegations from Whistleblowers
Related Articles
-
Molecular Mechanisms of Anti-cancer Activities of β-elemene: Targeting Hallmarks of Cancer
Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) Signaling in Tumour Vascularization: Potential and Challenges
Current Vascular Pharmacology Treatment of Diffuse-Type Gastric Cancer Cells Using 213Bi-Radioimmunoconjugates In Vitro and In Vivo Following Intraperitoneal Dissemination
Current Radiopharmaceuticals Flavonoids in Cancer Prevention
Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry Enzymes To Die For: Exploiting Nucleotide Metabolizing Enzymes for Cancer Gene Therapy
Current Gene Therapy Advances in Oncolytic Virus Therapy for Glioma
Recent Patents on CNS Drug Discovery (Discontinued) Inhibition of Autophagy Strengthens Celastrol-Induced Apoptosis in Human Pancreatic Cancer In Vitro and In Vivo Models
Current Molecular Medicine Integrative Neurochemistry and Neurobiology of Social Recognition and Behavior Analyzed with Respect to CD38-Dependent Brain Oxytocin Secretion
Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry Oncolytic Virotherapy for Breast Cancer Treatment
Current Gene Therapy Prospects for Anti-Neoplastic Therapies Based on Telomere Biology
Current Cancer Drug Targets The mTOR Signaling Network: Insights from Its Role During Embryonic Development
Current Medicinal Chemistry Cadmium-containing Quantum Dots: Current Perspectives on Their Application as Nanomedicine and Toxicity Concerns
Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry Research Toward Potassium Channels on Tumor Progression
Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry Systemic Therapeutic Gene Delivery for Cancer: Crafting Paris Arrow
Current Gene Therapy Introduction: MMPs, ADAMs/ADAMTSs Research Products to Achieve Big Dream
Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry Resveratrol, a Phytochemical Inducer of Multiple Cell Death Pathways: Apoptosis, Autophagy and Mitotic Catastrophe
Current Medicinal Chemistry Adhesion Mechanisms of the Lyme Disease Spirochete, Borrelia burgdorferi
Current Drug Targets - Infectious Disorders Targeting AMPK Signaling Pathway to Overcome Drug Resistance for Cancer Therapy
Current Drug Targets Assessment of Bishosphonate Activity In Vitro
Current Pharmaceutical Design Cancer Pharmacogenetics: The Move from Pharmacokinetics to Pharmacodynamics
Current Pharmacogenomics