Background: Colon cancer is one of the most important causes of death in the entire world. New pharmacological strategies are always needed, especially in resistant variants of this pathology. We have previously reported that drugs such as menadione (MEN), D, L-buthionine-S,R-sulfoximine or calcitriol, used in combination, enhanced cell sensibility of breast and colon tumour models, due to their ability to modify the oxidative status of the cells. Melatonin (MEL), a hormone regulating circadian rhythms, has anti-oxidant and anti-apoptotic properties at low concentrations, while at high doses, it has been shown to inhibit cancer cell growth.
Objective: The objective of this study is to determine the antitumoral action of the combination MEN and MEL on colon cancer cells.
Methods: Caco-2 cells were employed to evaluate the effects of both compounds, used alone or combined, on cellular growth/morphology, oxidative and nitrosative stress, and cell migration.
Results: MEN plus MEL dramatically reduced cell proliferation in a time and dose-dependent manner. The antiproliferative effects began at 48 h. At the same time, the combination modified the content of superoxide anion, induced the formation of reactive nitrogen species and enhanced catalase activity. Cell migration process was delayed. Also, changes in nuclear morphology consistent with cell death were observed.
Conclusion: The enhanced effect of simultaneous use of MEN and MEL on Caco-2 cells suggests that this combined action may have therapeutic potential as an adjuvant on intestinal cancer acting in different oncogenic pathways.
Keywords: Colon cancer; antiproliferative effects; melatonin; menadione; oxidative stress; wound healing assay.
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