Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Electron Transport Chain: Complex I and II01:46

Electron Transport Chain: Complex I and II

15.2K
The mitochondrial electron transport chain (ETC) is the main energy generation system in the eukaryotic cells. However, mitochondria also produce cytotoxic reactive oxygen species (ROS) due to the large electron flow during oxidative phosphorylation. While Complex I is one of the primary sources of superoxide radicals, ROS production by Complex II is uncommon and may only be observed in cancer cells with mutated complexes.
ROS generation is regulated and maintained at moderate levels necessary...
15.2K
Targeted Cancer Therapies02:57

Targeted Cancer Therapies

7.9K
The targeted cancer therapies, also known as “molecular targeted therapies,” take advantage of the molecular and genetic differences between the cancer cells and the normal cells. It needs a thorough understanding of the cancer cells to develop drugs that can target specific molecular aspects that drive the growth, progression, and spread of cancer cells without affecting the growth and survival of other normal cells in the body.
There are several types of targeted therapies against...
7.9K
Cancer Therapies02:49

Cancer Therapies

8.0K
Cancer therapies are various modes of treatment, such as surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy that are administered to cancer patients.
However, cancer treatments can pose several challenges, as therapies used to kill cancer cells are generally also toxic to normal cells. Moreover, cancer cells mutate rapidly and can develop resistance to chemical agents or radiation therapy. Besides, all types of cancer cells may not respond to the same therapy. Some cancer cells respond to one...
8.0K
Drugs that Stabilize Microtubules01:15

Drugs that Stabilize Microtubules

2.2K
Microtubules are dynamic structures that undergo cycles of catastrophe and rescue. The microtubules play a central role in cell division by forming the spindle apparatus for segregating the chromosomes. This makes them ideal targets for regulating dividing cells in tumors and malignant cancer cells. Microtubule stabilizing drugs help stabilize the microtubule formation and promote its polymerization. Paclitaxel was the first microtubule stabilizing agent used as anticancer drug in chemotherapy...
2.2K
Drugs that Destabilize Microtubules01:10

Drugs that Destabilize Microtubules

2.1K
Microtubules are dynamic structures and can be regulated by microtubule targeting agents (MTAs). Microtubule destabilizing drugs are a class of MTAs that destabilize and prevent microtubules' polymerization. Both natural and synthetic chemicals can be found under this class of drugs. Vincristine and vinblastine, two vinca alkaloids, and colchicine were among the first to be discovered. These drugs can affect cells in various ways, either by inducing a change in cell morphology, preventing...
2.1K

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Advances in green-synthesized quantum dot-based nanoplatforms for cancer treatment, photodynamic therapy, photothermal therapy and cancer theranostics.

RSC advances·2026
Same author

Adipose-Derived Stem Cells Differentiate Into Insulin-Producing Cells in 2D Culture With Photobiomodulation: A Comparative Analysis of Wavelength and Fluence Parameters.

Cell biology international·2026
Same author

Integration of Three-Dimensional Cell Culture Techniques and Photobiomodulation for Supportive Differentiation of Adipose-Derived Stem Cells into Smooth Muscle.

Cell biochemistry and function·2026
Same author

Anti-Inflammatory Potential of Key Phytochemicals From Humboldtia sanjappae: In Vivo Studies and Molecular Docking With MM-GBSA Analysis.

Chemistry & biodiversity·2026
Same author

Photoactivated Aluminium Phthalocyanine Drives Oxidative Stress and Apoptosis in Human Oesophageal Cancer Stem Cells.

Anti-cancer agents in medicinal chemistry·2026
Same author

Photobiomodulation-induced Differentiation of Adipose-derived Stem Cells into Neuronal Organoid-like Structures.

Molecular neurobiology·2026

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Oct 6, 2025

Preclinical Assessment of the Bioactivity of the Anticancer Coumarin OT48 by Spheroids, Colony Formation Assays, and Zebrafish Xenografts
09:20

Preclinical Assessment of the Bioactivity of the Anticancer Coumarin OT48 by Spheroids, Colony Formation Assays, and Zebrafish Xenografts

Published on: June 26, 2018

8.5K

Anticancer Activity of Urease Mimetic Cobalt (III) Complexes on A549-Lung Cancer Cells: Targeting the Acidic

Bhawna Uprety1, Rahul Chandran1, Charmaine Arderne2

  • 1Laser Research Centre, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Johannesburg, P.O. Box 17011, Johannesburg 2028, South Africa.

Pharmaceutics
|January 21, 2022
PubMed
Summary

Cobalt (III) complexes mimic urease to neutralize the acidic tumor microenvironment, enhancing cancer cell death. This approach shows promise for combination therapy with drugs like doxorubicin, improving apoptosis in A549 lung cancer cells.

Keywords:
cobalt (III) complexestumour microenvironmenturease mimetic activity

More Related Videos

Assessment of Mitochondrial Health in Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts Isolated from 3D Multicellular Lung Tumor Spheroids
10:26

Assessment of Mitochondrial Health in Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts Isolated from 3D Multicellular Lung Tumor Spheroids

Published on: October 21, 2022

2.1K
Analysis of Combinatorial miRNA Treatments to Regulate Cell Cycle and Angiogenesis
11:44

Analysis of Combinatorial miRNA Treatments to Regulate Cell Cycle and Angiogenesis

Published on: March 30, 2019

7.7K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Oct 6, 2025

Preclinical Assessment of the Bioactivity of the Anticancer Coumarin OT48 by Spheroids, Colony Formation Assays, and Zebrafish Xenografts
09:20

Preclinical Assessment of the Bioactivity of the Anticancer Coumarin OT48 by Spheroids, Colony Formation Assays, and Zebrafish Xenografts

Published on: June 26, 2018

8.5K
Assessment of Mitochondrial Health in Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts Isolated from 3D Multicellular Lung Tumor Spheroids
10:26

Assessment of Mitochondrial Health in Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts Isolated from 3D Multicellular Lung Tumor Spheroids

Published on: October 21, 2022

2.1K
Analysis of Combinatorial miRNA Treatments to Regulate Cell Cycle and Angiogenesis
11:44

Analysis of Combinatorial miRNA Treatments to Regulate Cell Cycle and Angiogenesis

Published on: March 30, 2019

7.7K

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Materials Science
  • Oncology

Background:

  • Tumor cells create a hypoxic and acidic microenvironment, promoting cancer progression and drug resistance.
  • Urease enzymes hydrolyze urea, increasing pH and potentially counteracting tumor acidity.
  • Targeting the tumor microenvironment is a key strategy in cancer therapy.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the anticancer activities of urease mimetic cobalt (III) complexes on A549 lung cancer cells.
  • To evaluate the potential of these complexes in combination therapy with doxorubicin.
  • To explore the application of transition metal-based enzyme mimics for cancer treatment.

Main Methods:

  • Treatment of A549 cells with varying doses of cobalt (III) complexes.
  • Assessment of cytotoxicity via ATP proliferation and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release assays.
  • Analysis of apoptosis using caspase 3/7 activity assays and observation of cellular morphology.
  • Evaluation of combination therapy efficacy with doxorubicin.

Main Results:

  • Cobalt (III) complexes demonstrated significant cytotoxicity against A549 cells.
  • The complexes induced cell death, evidenced by increased LDH release and caspase 3/7 activity.
  • Combination therapy with doxorubicin enhanced apoptosis in A549 cells compared to monotherapy.
  • Extracellular alkalinization by cobalt (III) complexes improved doxorubicin's efficacy.

Conclusions:

  • Cobalt (III) complexes effectively mimic urease activity to neutralize the acidic tumor microenvironment.
  • These complexes exhibit promising anticancer properties and can enhance the efficacy of chemotherapy drugs.
  • Transition metal-based enzyme mimics represent a novel strategy for targeting the tumor microenvironment in cancer therapy.