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Updated: Sep 23, 2025
High Throughput, Real-time, Dual-readout Testing of Intracellular Antimicrobial Activity and Eukaryotic Cell Cytotoxicity
Published on: November 16, 2016
Cytotoxic screening and antibacterial activity of Withaferin A
Altevir Rossato Viana1, B Godoy Noro2, J C Lenz2
1Programa de Pós-graduação em Nanociências, Universidade Franciscana, Santa Maria, Brasil.
Abstract:
Cancer and bacterial infections are among the leading causes of death worldwide. Plant-derived bioactive compounds constitute promising alternatives for development of new therapeutics. This study aimed at evaluating the biological activity of Withaferin A using 6 tumor cell lines: A549 (lung cancer), U87MG (glioblastoma), SH-SY5Y (neuroblastoma), B16-F10 (mouse melanoma), HeLa (uterine colon cancer) and K562 (chronic myeloid leukemia). In addition, 17 other standard bacterial strains and several multidrug resistant bacteria (MDR) clinical isolates were examined. Cell viability was assessed using the following assays: MTT, neutral red, and dsDNA PicoGreen®. Further, oxidative stress was measured by quantification of reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. The activity against bacteria was determined by the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), minimum bacterial concentration (CBM) and antibiofilm activity in the production of strains. Withaferin A was effective, as evidenced by its cytotoxic activity in tumor cell lines, enhanced ROS production in tumor cells and bactericidal and antibiofilm activity. Data demonstrated that Withaferin A may be therapeutically considered as an antitumor and antibacterial agent.
Insights
Withaferin A, a plant compound, shows significant antitumor and antibacterial effects. It effectively reduced tumor cell viability and combatted bacterial infections, including multidrug-resistant strains.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacology
- Natural Product Chemistry
- Oncology
- Microbiology
Background:
- Cancer and bacterial infections are major global health threats.
- Plant-derived compounds offer potential for novel therapeutic development.
- Withaferin A is a bioactive compound from plants with unexplored therapeutic potential.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the antitumor activity of Withaferin A against six human cancer cell lines.
- To assess the antibacterial efficacy of Withaferin A against standard and multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacterial strains.
- To investigate the mechanism of Withaferin A's action, including oxidative stress induction.
Main Methods:
- Cytotoxicity assays (MTT, neutral red, dsDNA PicoGreen®) were performed on A549, U87MG, SH-SY5Y, B16-F10, HeLa, and K562 cell lines.
- Reactive oxygen species (ROS) production was quantified to assess oxidative stress.
- Antibacterial activity was determined by minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), minimum bactericidal concentration (CBM), and antibiofilm assays against 17 bacterial strains and MDR clinical isolates.
Main Results:
- Withaferin A exhibited significant cytotoxic effects across all tested tumor cell lines.
- The compound demonstrated bactericidal and antibiofilm activity against both standard and MDR bacteria.
- Withaferin A enhanced ROS production in tumor cells, suggesting a mechanism for its cytotoxic action.
Conclusions:
- Withaferin A possesses potent antitumor properties, warranting further investigation for cancer therapy.
- Withaferin A shows promise as an antibacterial agent, effective against a range of bacterial pathogens.
- The findings support the therapeutic consideration of Withaferin A as a dual-acting antitumor and antibacterial agent.
