Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 11, 2025

Evaluating the Effectiveness of Cancer Drug Sensitization In Vitro and In Vivo
09:19

Evaluating the Effectiveness of Cancer Drug Sensitization In Vitro and In Vivo

Published on: February 6, 2015

8.7K

Sensitization of Multidrug Resistant Cancer Cells to Doxorubicin Using Ebselen by Disturbing Cellular Redox Status

Sugumar Baskar1, Pradhapsingh Bharathiraja1, N Rajendra Prasad1

  • 1Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Annamalai University, Annamalainagar, Tamilnadu, India.

Cell Biochemistry and Function
|October 9, 2024
PubMed

Insights

Ebselen reverses multidrug resistance in cancer by disrupting redox balance and sensitizing cells to doxorubicin. This combination therapy enhances apoptosis and reduces cancer cell viability.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Biochemistry
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Multidrug resistance (MDR) is a major challenge in cancer chemotherapy, leading to treatment failure and adverse effects.
  • Ebselen (Ebs), a synthetic organoselenium compound, modulates cellular redox status and shows potential in cancer therapy.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the potential of Ebselen in reversing multidrug resistance (MDR) in cancer cells.
  • To elucidate the mechanisms by which Ebselen sensitizes drug-resistant cells to doxorubicin (DOX).

Main Methods:

  • Drug-resistant cancer cells were treated with Ebselen and Doxorubicin (DOX) alone and in combination.
  • Assessed intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, lipid peroxidation, and antioxidant enzyme activity (thioredoxin reductase).
  • Evaluated cell viability, proliferation, DNA fragmentation, cell cycle progression, and apoptosis-related protein expression (p53, p21, Bax, Bcl-2, Caspase-3, -9, cytochrome C).

Main Results:

  • Ebselen disrupted cellular redox balance and sensitized MDR cells to DOX.
  • The combination treatment increased ROS and lipid peroxidation, decreased thioredoxin reductase activity and antioxidant levels.
  • Ebselen and DOX combination reduced cell viability and proliferation, induced DNA fragmentation, G2/M cell cycle arrest, and promoted apoptosis via the mitochondrial pathway.

Conclusions:

  • Ebselen effectively reverses multidrug resistance in cancer cells by modulating cellular redox homeostasis.
  • The combination of Ebselen and Doxorubicin offers a promising strategy for overcoming chemotherapy resistance.
  • Ebselen demonstrates potential as a therapeutic agent for enhancing the efficacy of existing cancer treatments.
Keywords:
antioxidantsapoptosischemosensitizationmultidrug resistanceredox status

More Related Videos

Chemotherapy-induced Vascular Toxicity - Real-time In vivo Imaging of Vessel Impairment04:48

Chemotherapy-induced Vascular Toxicity - Real-time In vivo Imaging of Vessel Impairment

Published on: January 7, 2015

7.4K
Single Plane Illumination Module and Micro-capillary Approach for a Wide-field Microscope08:53

Single Plane Illumination Module and Micro-capillary Approach for a Wide-field Microscope

Published on: August 15, 2014

9.7K

Related Concept Videos

Electron Transport Chain: Complex I and II01:46

Electron Transport Chain: Complex I and II

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...
12.1K
Treatment Resistant Cancers02:56

Treatment Resistant Cancers

Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the United States. A cancer cell is genetically unstable and hence can mutate faster. They can also modify their microenvironment and escape immune surveillance. The difficulties in treating cancer are further compounded by the emergence of rapid resistance to anticancer drugs. The most common ways to attain resistance in cancer cells include alteration in drug transport and metabolism, modification of drug target, elevated DNA damage response, or...
3.3K
Targeted Cancer Therapies02:57

Targeted Cancer Therapies

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...
7.5K
Mitogens and the Cell Cycle02:38

Mitogens and the Cell Cycle

Mitogens and their receptors play a crucial role in controlling the progression of the cell cycle. However, the loss of mitogenic control over cell division leads to tumor formation. Therefore, mitogens and mitogen receptors play an important role in cancer research. For instance, the epidermal growth factor (EGF) - a type of mitogen and its transmembrane receptor (EGFR), decides the fate of the cell's proliferation. When EGF binds to EGFR, a member of the ErbB family of tyrosine kinase...
6.4K