Anticancer activity of genistein-piperazine complex. In vitro study with HL-60 cells

Genistein, a principal soy isoflavone, has recently aroused interest in medical research owning to its numerous biochemical properties such as: inhibition of the activity of tyrosine-specific protein kinases and topoisomerase II, estrogenic and antioxidant activity as well as antiproliferative and antiangiogenic effects. Therefore, genistein is extensively investigated as a novel anticancer drug. To improve physicochemical properties of genistein (e.g., water solubility) we have synthesized its complexes with amines. Genistein-piperazine complex (GP) has been then examined whether it exhibits anticancer action against human promyelocytic leukemia cell line (HL-60) cultured in vitro. The parallel study with pure genistein has also been undertaken. Cell proliferation, viability, apoptosis and cell cycle kinetics have been assayed for various drugs concentrations (10-40 microM) and periods of exposure (1-6 days). GP reduced proliferation rate, decreased cell viability and induced apoptotic cell death, in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Flow-cytometric analysis of cell cycle distribution revealed a progressive and sustained accumulation of cells in the G2/M phase that was accompanied by unperturbed protein synthesis. The measured anticancer effects of GP and genistein were qualitatively and quantitatively similar, indicating that genistein-amine complex does not loose the activity of the parent compound.