A coordinated ruthenium-rifampicin complex reprogramming the colon carcinoma micro-environment mediated by modulation of p53/AkT/mTOR/VEGF pathway

Toxicol Appl Pharmacol. 2021 Sep 1:426:115618. doi: 10.1016/j.taap.2021.115618. Epub 2021 Jun 11.

Abstract

WHO suggests that colon cancer incidences are rising steadily, propelling researchers to search for novel chemotherapeutic options. Metal-based chemotherapy is a potential forte to explore ruthenium-based complexes, exhibiting the capability to influence a variety of cellular targets. We discovered the chemotherapeutic effects of ruthenium-rifampicin complex on HT-29 and HCT-116 human colorectal cell lines and on a chemically developed murine colorectal cancer model. Complex was synthesized and characterized by analytical techniques and evaluation of antioxidant potential along with DNA binding capabilities. The complex minimizes cellular propagation and initiates apoptotic events in the colon cancer cell lines of HT-29 and HCT-116. The results of the in vivo study suggest that the complex has been successful in minimizing the wide spectrum of aberrant crypt foci and hyperplastic lesions, as well as encouraging elevated amounts of CAT, SOD and glutathione. Along with that, p53 could be modulated by the ruthenium-rifampicin complex to interfere with apoptosis in colon carcinoma, initiated by the intrinsic apoptotic trail facilitated through Bcl2 and Bax, thus controlling the Akt/mTOR/VEGF pathway coupled through the WNT/β-catenin trail. Ruthenium-rifampicin chemotherapy could interrupt, retract or interrupt the progression of colorectal cancer through modifying intrinsic apoptosis including the antiangiogenic pathway, thereby achieving the function of a potential contender in chemotherapy in the near future.

Keywords: ACF; Apoptosis; Chemotherapy; Colon cancer; Metal complex.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adenocarcinoma / drug therapy*
  • Adenocarcinoma / metabolism
  • Adenocarcinoma / pathology
  • Animals
  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology
  • Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Antineoplastic Agents / toxicity
  • Apoptosis / drug effects
  • Cell Cycle / drug effects
  • Colon / drug effects
  • Colon / pathology
  • Colonic Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Colonic Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Colonic Neoplasms / pathology
  • Drug Combinations
  • Female
  • HCT116 Cells
  • HT29 Cells
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt / metabolism
  • Rats
  • Rats, Wistar
  • Rifampin / pharmacology
  • Rifampin / therapeutic use*
  • Rifampin / toxicity
  • Ruthenium Compounds / pharmacology
  • Ruthenium Compounds / therapeutic use*
  • Ruthenium Compounds / toxicity
  • Signal Transduction / drug effects
  • TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases / metabolism
  • Tumor Microenvironment / drug effects
  • Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 / metabolism
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / metabolism

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Drug Combinations
  • Ruthenium Compounds
  • Tumor Suppressor Protein p53
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt
  • TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases
  • ruthenium chloride
  • Rifampin