The resveratrol analogue, 3,4,5,4'­trans-tetramethoxystilbene, inhibits the growth of A375 melanoma cells through multiple anticancer modes of action.

Resveratrol is a natural dietary product that has demonstrated multifaceted anticancer activity. Several analogues of resveratrol have been synthesized in an effort to enhance the pharmacological potency and improve the pharmacokinetic properties of the compound. 3,4,5,4'­trans­tetramethoxystilbene (3,4,5,4'­TMS) is a methoxylated analogue of resveratrol that has demonstrated anti-proliferative activity in vitro (in cancer cell lines) and in vivo (in xenograft models). In the present study, the anticancer effects of 3,4,5,4'­TMS in A375 human melanoma cells were examined. 3,4,5,4'­TMS markedly inhibited the proliferation of A375 cells (IC50=0.7 µM), via a mechanism involving mitotic arrest at the prometaphase stage of cell division. This effect was accompanied by the upregulation of the expression of the mitogen activated protein kinases, JNK and p38, and the concomitant activation of p38, that was verified by the nuclear translocation of the phoshorylated form of the protein. The pharmacological inhibition of p38 by SB203580 (4 µM) attenuated the effects of 3,4,5,4'­TMS, as demonstrated by decreased cell cycle progression at the mitotic phase. Furthermore, 3,4,5,4'­TMS increased the total levels of Aurora A, while it inhibited the localization of the protein to the spindle poles. Finally, 3,4,5,4'­TMS exhibited anti-metastatic activity, inhibiting A375 cell migration and the attachment of the cells to a collagen type IV-coated surface. Collectively, the data suggest that 3,4,5,4'­TMS is an effective chemotherapeutic drug for the treatment of human melanoma and that it exerts its effects through multiple anticancer modes of action.