Comparative anticancer effects of flavonoids and diazepam in cultured cancer cells
Dae-Hyun Kim1, Jae-Tae Lee, In-Kyu Lee
1Nuclear Medicine, School of Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Jung-Gu, Daegu, Republic of Korea.
Abstract:
This study examined the comparative anticancer effects of flavonoids and diazepam in the cultured cancer cells. In the SNU-C4 colorectal and MDA-MB-231 breast adenocarcinoma cells, apigenin and fisetin, flavonoids, and diazepam inhibited cancer cell survival concentration and incubation-time dependently. Diazepam consistently inhibited FAS activity, a known anticancer mechanism of flavonoids, in a concentration dependent manner. Unlike diazepam, in highly aggressive breast MDA-MB-231 cells known to have a nuclear/perinuclear located PBR, PK11195, a specific PBR ligand enhanced the proliferation of cells, and the proliferative effect of PK11195 was reversed by an addition of lovastatin, a HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor. Diazepam- and flavonoids-induced cytotoxic activity in both cancer cell lines was not reduced by the addition of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), a chemotherapeutic agent. Like flavonoids, diazepam inhibited the release of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and granulocyte-macrophage-colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) into supernatants of cultured in the SNU-C4 and MDA-MB-231 cells. In conclusion, this study provided in vitro information on the safe use of sedative in oncologic patients.
Insights
Flavonoids and diazepam show anticancer effects in cultured colorectal and breast cancer cells. These compounds inhibit cancer cell survival and growth, suggesting potential therapeutic applications in oncology.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Pharmacology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Cancer cells exhibit unique survival mechanisms.
- Flavonoids are known for their anticancer properties.
- Diazepam, a sedative, has not been extensively studied for anticancer effects.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the anticancer effects of flavonoids and diazepam in vitro.
- To investigate the mechanisms of action for these compounds.
- To assess potential interactions with chemotherapy.
Main Methods:
- Cultured SNU-C4 colorectal and MDA-MB-231 breast adenocarcinoma cells were used.
- Cells were treated with varying concentrations of flavonoids (apigenin, fisetin) and diazepam.
- FAS activity, cell proliferation, and release of VEGF and GM-CSF were measured.
- Effects of PK11195, lovastatin, and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) were evaluated.
Main Results:
- Both flavonoids and diazepam inhibited cancer cell survival in a dose- and time-dependent manner.
- Diazepam inhibited FAS activity, similar to flavonoids.
- PK11195 enhanced proliferation in MDA-MB-231 cells, which was reversed by lovastatin.
- The cytotoxic effects were not diminished by 5-FU.
- Diazepam and flavonoids reduced VEGF and GM-CSF release.
Conclusions:
- Flavonoids and diazepam demonstrate in vitro anticancer activity.
- Diazepam shares some anticancer mechanisms with flavonoids.
- These findings suggest potential safe use of diazepam in cancer patients.
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