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Putative supramolecular complexes formed by carotenoids and xanthophylls with ascorbic acid to reverse multidrug

József Molnár1, Julianna Serly, Rozália Pusztai

  • 1Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunobiology, University of Szeged, Dóm tér 10., Szeged 6720, Hungary. molnarj@comser.szote.u-szeged.hu

Anticancer Research
|January 31, 2012
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Certain carotenoids and ascorbic acid show anticancer potential by inhibiting cancer cell drug resistance. Capsorubin demonstrates significant antiproliferative effects and accumulates in cancer cell nuclei, suggesting therapeutic applications.

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Cell Biology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Investigating the molecular mechanisms of carotenoids and xanthophylls interacting with ascorbic acid in cancer cells.
  • Determining the potential anticancer effects of these compounds.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To elucidate the interaction between specific carotenoids/xanthophylls and ascorbic acid.
  • To evaluate their efficacy in combating cancer cells and drug resistance.

Main Methods:

  • Utilizing flow cytometry to measure drug accumulation in transfected cell lines and human lung cancer cells.
  • Assessing anticancer effects in vivo using mouse models.

Main Results:

  • Several carotenoids demonstrated inhibition of multidrug resistance in cancer cells.
  • Ascorbic acid enhanced the effects of some xanthophylls, but not capsanthin.
  • Capsorubin exhibited a significant antiproliferative effect (85%) on A549 lung cancer cells, unlike capsanthin (12%).
  • Capsorubin reduced immediate-early tumor antigen expression and selectively accumulated in cancer cell nuclei.

Conclusions:

  • A potential complex formation between membrane-bound capsorubin and ascorbic acid was proposed.
  • This interaction could be a valuable target for experimental chemotherapy strategies.

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