The incidence of gastrointestinal cancers is increasing every year. Irinotecan (CPT-11), a drug used in the treatment of colorectal cancer and gastric cancer, is metabolized by carboxylesterases to an active metabolite, SN-38, which is more cytotoxic. CAPE (caffeic acid phenethyl ester) is an active component of propolis, which has a high antibacterial, antiviral, and antineoplastic potential. This study analyses the impact of CAPE on the cytotoxic (MTT assay), genotoxic (comet assay) and proapoptotic (caspase-3/7 activity) potential of irinotecan and its metabolite SN-38 in cultures of gastrointestinal neoplastic cells (HCT116, HT29, AGS). Cytotoxicity and genotoxicity activities of these compounds were carried out in comparison with human peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBLs) in vitro. The antioxidant potential of CAPE was investigated in relation H2O2-induced oxidative stress in the both neoplastic cells and PBLs. CAPE expressed cytotoxic, genotoxic, and pro-apoptotic activity against AGS, HCT116, and HT29 tumor cells. CAPE, in the presence of different concentrations of irinotecan or SN38, decreased the cytotoxicity, genotoxicity, and pro-apoptotic activity in these cell lines, but it has no such action on normal human peripheral blood lymphocytes.
Keywords: CAPE; SN38; cytotoxicity; genotoxicity; irinotecan; oxidative stress.