Albendazole as a promising molecule for tumor control

Area of Science:

• Pharmacology
• Molecular Biology
• Cancer Research

Background:

• Albendazole (ABZ) is an antiparasitic drug.
• Its potential antitumor effects warrant investigation.
• Understanding its mechanism of action is crucial for drug development.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the antitumor effects of albendazole (ABZ).
• To investigate the relationship between ABZ, oxidative stress, and DNA damage.
• To explore ABZ as a potential lead molecule for novel anticancer drugs.

Main Methods:

• In vitro studies using MCF-7 cells to assess cytotoxicity, colony formation, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation.
• In vivo studies using Ehrlich carcinoma model in animals.
• Analysis of DNA damage markers, oxidative stress biomarkers, and apoptosis-related proteins.

Main Results:

• ABZ induced oxidative cleavage of DNA and decreased MCF-7 cell viability.
• ABZ treatment increased intracellular ROS levels and inhibited cancer cell colony formation.
• In vivo, ABZ inhibited tumor growth and prolonged survival, associated with oxidative stress and DNA damage induction.
• NAC, an antioxidant, reversed ABZ-induced cytotoxicity and ROS generation.
• ABZ triggered apoptosis signaling pathways, evidenced by altered protein expression and histone modification.

Conclusions:

• Albendazole exhibits significant antitumor activity through induction of oxidative stress and DNA fragmentation.
• ABZ promotes cancer cell death via apoptosis.
• The findings highlight ABZ as a promising candidate for the development of new anticancer therapeutics.