Imipramine Suppresses Tumor Growth and Induces Apoptosis in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma: Targeting Multiple Processes and Signaling Pathways.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) has limited treatment options. This study investigated imipramine, a tricyclic antidepressant, as a potential therapy for OSCC using a SAS-bearing xenograft animal model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The SAS-bearing xenograft model evaluated imipramine's impact on tumor growth. The control group received no treatment, while the imipramine-treated group received regular doses. Tumor growth, confirmed by imaging, and histological analysis assessed size and weight. Imipramine's effects on apoptosis, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), and transcription factors (AKT, ERK, STAT3) were analyzed. RESULTS: Imipramine significantly suppressed tumor growth within 6 days of treatment, with sustained activity. Computer tomography (CT) scans and histology confirmed reduced size and weight by imipramine. Imipramine induced apoptosis via caspase-dependent/-independent pathways, inhibited EMT, and down-regulated phosphorylated AKT, ERK, and STAT3. CONCLUSION: Imipramine shows promise as an effective OSCC therapy, inhibiting tumor growth, inducing apoptosis, and inhibiting EMT. Its impact on transcription factors and modulation of the AKT/ERK/STAT3 pathway suggest a multifaceted approach.

Magnolol Induces Apoptosis Through Extrinsic/intrinsic Pathways and Attenuates NF-κB/STAT3 Signaling in Non-small-cell Lung Cancer Cells.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the most common type of lung cancer worldwide, and treatment outcomes are still poor. Magnolol, a hydroxylated biphenyl isolated from Magnolia officinalis, was found to be effective against hepatocellular carcinoma via inactivating nuclear-factor-kappa B (NF-B) signaling. However, whether magnolol targets not only NF-B but also other factors in NSCLC and may contribute to the suppression of tumor progression is unclear. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cell viability, flow cytometry, and western blotting assays were used to identify the mechanism of magnolol action in human lung adenocarcinoma cell lines A549 and CL1-5-F4. RESULTS: Our results indicated that magnolol induced cytotoxicity through extrinsic/intrinsic apoptosis signaling and suppressed phosphorylation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3)/NF-B and expression of their downstream proteins. CONCLUSION: Magnolol not only induced extrinsic and intrinsic apoptosis signaling but also inactivated STAT3/NF-B and attenuated their signaling of epithelial-mesenchymal transition and metastasis-related protein expression in NSCLC.