Androgen deprivation therapy is commonly used for the treatment of prostate cancer. Enzalutamide is a next-generation androgen receptor inhibitor, initially approved to treat castration-resistance prostate cancer. Lupeol, a triterpene present in various fruits, vegetables, has anti-oxidant and anti-proliferative activity. The present study aimed to evaluate the Enzalutamide-induced toxicity and its possible amelioration by Lupeol. We performed multiple in vitro and in vivo experiments to conclude our hypothesis. The results revealed that both Enzalutamide and Lupeol interact with DNA through electrostatic interactions. Enzalutamide (5-20 μM) caused cytotoxicity in both normal (PNT2) and cancer cells (LNCaP and 22Rv1). However, Lupeol (10-50 μM) specifically killed the cancer cells while sparing normal cells. The study further revealed that Lupeol could attenuate Enzalutamide-induced cytotoxicity and genotoxicity (chromosomal aberrations and micronucleus formation) to normal cells and potentially induce cytotoxicity to transformed cells. We further observed that Lupeol (40 mg/kg) mediated attenuation of the Enzalutamide (10 mg/kg) induced oxidative and DNA damages. Our study also revealed that Lupeol reverses the Enzalutamide-induced hepatic and renal damages. In conclusion, our study indicates that Lupeol can be used as an adjuvant for reducing the toxic effects and enhancing the effectiveness of Enzalutamide.
Keywords: 22Rv1; Enzalutamide; LNCaP; Lupeol; PNT2; amelioration; genotoxicity; hepatotoxicity; renal toxicity.