Related Experiment Video

Updated: Feb 28, 2026

Author Spotlight: Exploring Salidroside's Molecular Mechanisms in Breast Cancer Treatment
11:13

Author Spotlight: Exploring Salidroside's Molecular Mechanisms in Breast Cancer Treatment

Published on: June 9, 2023

2.4K

Natural Product Epipyrone A from Epicoccum nigrum Exhibits Antiproliferative Activity on Canine Mammary Tumor Cells

Consiglia Longobardi1, Daria Lotito1, Alessia Staropoli1

  • 1Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples Federico II, 80137 Naples, Italy.

Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland)
|February 27, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Epipyrone A, a fungal pigment, effectively reduced canine mammary tumor cell viability and migration in vitro. This natural compound shows promise as a novel therapeutic agent for veterinary oncology.

Area of Science:

  • Veterinary Medicine
  • Natural Product Chemistry
  • Oncology

Background:

  • Canine mammary tumors (CMTs) are common in female dogs, with limited treatment options.
  • Fungal secondary metabolites are being explored as alternative cancer therapies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the anti-cancer potential of Epipyrone A (Epy A), a fungal pigment, against canine mammary tumor (CMT) cell lines.
  • To evaluate the effects of Epy A on cell viability, migration, oxidative stress, and key signaling pathways in CMTs.

Main Methods:

  • Epipyrone A was isolated from *Epicoccum nigrum*.
  • In vitro testing on CMT cell lines (P114, CF33) and non-tumor MDCK cells.
  • Assays for cell viability, migration, antioxidant capacity, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels.
  • Western blot analysis to assess the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway.

Main Results:

  • Epy A significantly reduced CMT cell viability in a dose- and time-dependent manner, with no toxicity to normal cells.
  • Epy A inhibited cell migration and increased antioxidant capacity in P114 cells, reducing ROS levels.
  • Western blot analysis showed Epy A modulated the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway, with different effects on P114 and CF33 cells.

Conclusions:

  • Epipyrone A demonstrates significant anti-cancer activity against canine mammary tumor cells in vitro.
  • Epy A's mechanism involves modulation of cell proliferation and oxidative balance pathways.
  • This fungal pigment represents a promising candidate for developing novel therapeutic strategies in veterinary and comparative oncology.
Keywords:
Epicoccum nigrumEpipyrone API3K/Akt/mTOR pathwaycanine mammary tumors

More Related Videos

Using Mouse Mammary Tumor Cells to Teach Core Biology Concepts: A Simple Lab Module10:39

Using Mouse Mammary Tumor Cells to Teach Core Biology Concepts: A Simple Lab Module

Published on: June 18, 2015

13.9K
Network Pharmacology Prediction and Experimental Validation of Trichosanthes-Fritillaria thunbergii Action Mechanism Against Lung Adenocarcinoma13:18

Network Pharmacology Prediction and Experimental Validation of Trichosanthes-Fritillaria thunbergii Action Mechanism Against Lung Adenocarcinoma

Published on: March 3, 2023

1.8K

Related Concept Videos

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...
8.2K
PI3K/mTOR/AKT Signaling Pathway01:22

PI3K/mTOR/AKT Signaling Pathway

The mammalian target of rapamycin  (mTOR) is a serine/threonine kinase that regulates growth, proliferation, and cell survival in response to hormones, growth factors, or nutrient availability. This kinase exists in two structurally and functionally distinct forms: mTOR complex 1  (mTORC1) and mTOR complex 2  (mTORC2). The first form (mTORC1) is composed of a rapamycin-sensitive Raptor and proline-rich Akt substrate, PRAS40. In contrast,  mTORC2 consists of a...
5.9K
Abnormal Proliferation02:23

Abnormal Proliferation

Under normal conditions, most adult cells remain in a non-proliferative state unless stimulated by internal or external factors to replace lost cells. Abnormal cell proliferation is a condition in which the cell's growth exceeds and is uncoordinated with normal cells. In such situations, cell division persists in the same excessive manner even after cessation of the stimuli, leading to persistent tumors. The tumor arises from the damaged cells that replicate to pass the damage to the...
5.3K
mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression03:03

mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression

The mammalian target of rapamycin or mTOR protein was discovered in 1994 due to its direct interaction with rapamycin. The protein gets its name from a yeast homolog called TOR. The mTOR protein complex in mammalian cells plays a major role in balancing anabolic processes such as the synthesis of proteins, lipids, and nucleotides and catabolic processes, such as autophagy in response to environmental cues, such as availability of nutrients and growth factors.
The mTOR pathway or the...
4.9K
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...
9.0K
Inhibition of Cdk Activity02:34

Inhibition of Cdk Activity

The orderly progression of the cell cycle depends on the activation of Cdk protein by binding to its cyclin partner. However, the cell cycle must be restricted when undergoing abnormal changes. Most cancers correlate to the deregulated cell cycle, and since Cdks are a central component of the cell cycle, Cdk inhibitors are extensively studied to develop anticancer agents. For instance, cyclin D associates with several Cdks, such as Cdk 4/6, to form an active complex. The cyclin D-Cdk4/6 complex...
6.1K