Acetylation of cedrelone increases its cytotoxic activity and reverts the malignant phenotype of breast cancer cells in 3D culture

Author(s)

Becceneri, Amanda Blanque ^[1] ; Fuzer, Angelina Maria ^[1] ; Popolin, Cecilia Patricia ^[1] ; Cazal, Cristiane de Melo ^[2] ; Domingues, Vanessa de Cassia ^[3] ; Fernandes, Joao Batista ^[3] ; Vieira, Paulo Cezar ^[4] ; Cominetti, Marcia Regina ^[1]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Fed Sao Carlos, Dept Gerontol, Rod Washington Luis, Km 235, Sao Carlos, SP - Brazil

^[2] Fed Inst Goiano, Rodovia GO 060 Km 0 1, Ipora, Go - Brazil

^[3] Univ Fed Sao Carlos, Dept Chem, Rod Washington Luis, Km 235, Sao Carlos, SP - Brazil

^[4] Univ Sao Paulo, Sch Pharmaceut Sci Ribeirao Preto, Av Cafe, Ribeirao Preto, SP - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Chemico-Biological Interactions; v. 316, JAN 25 2020.
• Web of Science Citations: 0

Abstract

Cedrelone is a limonoid isolated from the plant Trichilia catigua (Meliaceae). Previous studies have demonstrated that cedrelone (1) has several damaging effects on triple negative breast tumor (TNBC) cell line MDA-MB-231. In this work we investigated two new derivatives of cedrelone, the acetate (1a) and the mesylate (1b), to examine whether their effects are improved in comparison to the lead molecule. Cedrelone acetate (1a) was the most cytotoxic compound on TNBC cells and was chosen for additional analyses in traditional two-dimensional (2D) monolayer cultures and three-dimensional (3D) assays. In 2D, 1a induced cell cycle arrest, apoptosis and inhibited essential steps of the metastasis process of the MDA-MB-231 cells, in vitro. Moreover, 1a was able to revert the malignant phenotype of the T4-2 cells in 3D. These effects were concomitant with the downregulation of EGFR, beta 1-integrin and phospho-Akt, which could have resulted in a decrease of NF kappa B levels and MMP9 activity. These results suggest that 1a could be used as an important model for the design of a new drug to be applied in cancer treatment and be further studied in vivo for its antitumor and antimetastatic effects. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 17/01287-2 - Screening of candidates to new antitumoral drugs by three-dimensional cell culture
• Grantee: Angelina Maria Fuzer
• Support type: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctorate
• FAPESP's process: 12/25299-6 - Integrated studies for leaf cutting control
• Grantee: João Batista Fernandes
• Support type: Research Projects - Thematic Grants
• FAPESP's process: 14/25121-8 - Antitumor activity and mutagenic potential of New Ruthenium Complexes
• Grantee: Amanda Blanque Becceneri
• Support type: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate