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Updated: Mar 12, 2026
Assessing Specificity of Anticancer Drugs In Vitro
Published on: March 23, 2016
In vitro assessment of a computer-designed potential anticancer agent in cervical cancer cells
Michelle Helen Visagie1, Seema Rummurat Jaiswal2, Anna Margaretha Joubert2
1Department of Physiology, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X 323, Arcadia, Pretoria, 0007, South Africa. michelle.visagie@up.ac.za.
Background:
Computer-based technology is becoming increasingly essential in biological research where drug discovery programs start with the identification of suitable drug targets. 2-Methoxyestradiol (2ME2) is a 17β-estradiol metabolite that induces apoptosis in various cancer cell lines including cervical cancer, breast cancer and multiple myeloma. Owing to 2ME2's poor in vivo bioavailability, our laboratory in silico-designed and subsequently synthesized a novel 2ME2 analogue, 2-ethyl-3-O-sulphamoyl-estra-1,3,5(10),15-tetraen-17-ol (ESE-15-ol), using receptor- and ligand molecular modeling. In this study, the biological effects of ESE-15-ol (180 nM) and its parent molecule, 2ME2 (1 µM), were assessed on morphology and apoptosis induction in cervical cancer cells.
Results:
Transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and polarization-optical transmitted light differential interference contrast (PlasDIC) images demonstrated morphological hallmarks of apoptosis including apoptotic bodies, shrunken cells, vacuoles, reduced cell density and cell debris. Flow cytometry analysis showed apoptosis induction by means of annexin V-FITC staining. Cell cycle analysis showed that ESE-15-ol exposure resulted in a statistically significant increase in the G2M phase (72%) compared to 2ME2 (19%). Apoptosis induction was more pronounced when cells were exposed to ESE-15-ol compared to 2ME2. Spectrophotometric analysis of caspase 8 activity demonstrated that 2ME2 and ESE-15-ol both induced caspase 8 activation by 2- and 1.7-fold respectively indicating the induction of the apoptosis. However, ESE-15-ol exerted all of the above-mentioned effects at a much lower pharmacological concentration (180 nM) compared to 2ME2 (1 µM physiological concentration).
Conclusion:
Computer-based technology is essential in drug discovery and together with in vitro studies for the evaluation of these in silico-designed compounds, drug development can be improved to be cost effective and time consuming. This study evaluated the anticancer potential of ESE-15-ol, an in silico-designed compound in vitro. Research demonstrated that ESE-15-ol exerts antiproliferative activity accompanied with apoptosis induction at a nanomolar concentration compared to the micromolar range required by 2ME2. This study is the first study to demonstrate the influence of ESE-15-ol on morphology, cell cycle progression and apoptosis induction in HeLa cells. In silico-design by means of receptor- and ligand molecular modeling is thus effective in improving compound bioavailability while preserving apoptotic activity in vitro.
Insights
A novel 2-methoxyestradiol (2ME2) analogue, ESE-15-ol, effectively induces apoptosis in cervical cancer cells at nanomolar concentrations. This in silico-designed compound shows enhanced anticancer potential compared to 2ME2, improving drug discovery efficiency.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Molecular Biology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Drug discovery relies on identifying suitable targets, with 2-methoxyestradiol (2ME2) showing promise in inducing apoptosis in various cancer cells.
- 2ME2 exhibits poor in vivo bioavailability, necessitating the development of analogues with improved properties.
- In silico design using molecular modeling led to the synthesis of ESE-15-ol, a novel 2ME2 analogue.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the biological effects of ESE-15-ol and its parent molecule, 2ME2, on cervical cancer cell morphology and apoptosis.
- To compare the efficacy of ESE-15-ol and 2ME2 at different concentrations.
- To assess the impact of ESE-15-ol on cell cycle progression and apoptosis induction.
Main Methods:
- Morphological analysis using transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and PlasDIC.
- Apoptosis induction assessment via flow cytometry with annexin V-FITC staining.
- Cell cycle analysis and caspase 8 activity spectrophotometric analysis.
Main Results:
- ESE-15-ol and 2ME2 induced morphological hallmarks of apoptosis, including cell shrinkage and debris.
- Flow cytometry confirmed apoptosis induction by both compounds.
- ESE-15-ol significantly increased the G2M phase (72%) compared to 2ME2 (19%) and induced apoptosis at a lower concentration (180 nM vs 1 µM).
- Both compounds activated caspase 8, indicating apoptosis induction, with ESE-15-ol being more potent at lower concentrations.
Conclusions:
- In silico design is effective for developing drug candidates with improved bioavailability and preserved apoptotic activity.
- ESE-15-ol demonstrates significant antiproliferative activity and apoptosis induction in cervical cancer cells at nanomolar concentrations.
- This study highlights the potential of ESE-15-ol as a cost-effective and time-efficient anticancer drug candidate, outperforming 2ME2 in vitro.
