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Updated: Dec 3, 2025
An Organotypic High Throughput System for Characterization of Drug Sensitivity of Primary Multiple Myeloma Cells
Published on: July 15, 2015
Anticancer potential of myricetin bulk and nano forms in vitro in lymphocytes from myeloma patients
Shabana Akhtar1, Mojgan Najafzadeh1, Mohammad Isreb2
1School of Chemistry and Biosciences, University of Bradford, Bradford, UK.
Abstract:
Evading apoptosis and chemo-resistance are considered as very important factors which help tumour progression and metastasis. Hence, to overcome chemo-resistance, there is an urgent requirement for emergence of more effective treatment options. Myricetin, a naturally occurring flavonoid, is present in various plant-derived foods and shows antitumour potential in different cancers. In the present in vitro study, results from the comet assay demonstrated that myricetin bulk (10 µM) and nano (20 µM) forms exhibited a non-significant level of genotoxicity in lymphocytes from multiple myeloma patients when compared to those from healthy individuals. Western blot results showed a decrease in Bcl-2/Bax ratio and an increase in P53 protein levels in lymphocytes from myeloma patients, but not in lymphocytes from healthy individuals. A significant increase in intracellular reactive oxygen species level was also observed, suggesting that regulation of apoptotic proteins triggered by myricetin exposure in lymphocytes from myeloma patients occurred through P53 and oxidative stress-dependent pathways. The potency of myricetin against lymphocytes from myeloma patients marks it a potential candidate to be considered as an alternative to overcome chemo-resistance in cancer therapies.
Insights
Myricetin, a natural flavonoid, shows potential in overcoming chemo-resistance in multiple myeloma. It induces apoptosis via P53 and oxidative stress pathways without significant genotoxicity in patient lymphocytes.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Pharmacology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Tumor progression and metastasis are driven by apoptosis evasion and chemo-resistance.
- Novel therapeutic strategies are crucial to overcome chemo-resistance in cancer treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the anti-cancer potential of myricetin against multiple myeloma.
- To evaluate the genotoxicity and apoptotic effects of myricetin on lymphocytes.
Main Methods:
- In vitro study using comet assay to assess genotoxicity.
- Western blot analysis to evaluate apoptotic protein expression (Bcl-2/Bax ratio, P53).
- Measurement of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels.
Main Results:
- Myricetin (bulk and nano forms) showed non-significant genotoxicity in lymphocytes from multiple myeloma patients and healthy individuals.
- Myricetin decreased the Bcl-2/Bax ratio and increased P53 protein levels in myeloma patient lymphocytes.
- Increased intracellular ROS levels were observed, indicating P53 and oxidative stress-dependent apoptosis induction.
Conclusions:
- Myricetin exhibits potent anti-cancer effects against multiple myeloma lymphocytes.
- The mechanism involves P53 activation and oxidative stress, leading to apoptosis.
- Myricetin is a promising candidate for overcoming chemo-resistance in cancer therapy.
