Anti-cancer effect of clofazimine as a single agent and in combination with cisplatin on U266 multiple myeloma cell line.

Multiple Myeloma (MM) is a malignant neoplasm of bone marrow plasma B cells with high morbidity. Clofazimine (CLF) is an FDA-approved leprostatic, anti-tuberculosis, and anti-inflammatory drug that was previously shown to have growth suppression effect on various cancer types such as hepatocellular, lung, cervix, esophageal, colon, and breast cancer as well as melanoma, neuroblastoma, and leukemia. The objective of this study was to evaluate the anticancer effect and mechanism of CLF on U266 MM cell line. CLF (10µM, 24h) treatment resulted up to 72% growth suppression on a panel of hematological cell lines. Dose-response study conducted on U266 MM cell line revealed an IC50 value of 9.8±0.7µM. CLF also showed a synergistic inhibition effect in combination with cisplatin. In mechanistic assays, CLF treatment caused mitochondrial membrane depolarization, change in cell membrane asymmetry and increase in caspase-3 activity; indicating to an intrinsic apoptosis mechanism. This study provides new evidence for the anticancer effect of CLF on U266 cell line. Further in vivo and clinical studies are warranted to evaluate its therapeutic potential for MM treatment.

Leaves of Cassia tora as a novel cancer therapeutic--an in vitro study.

Cassia tora Linn (Leguminacea) is a medicinal plant traditionally used as laxative, for the treatment of leprosy and various skin disorders. Preliminary phytochemical analysis of leaf showed the presence of polyphenols (3.7 mg gallic acid equivalent per gram dried leaves). The presence of phenolic compound prompted us to evaluate its antioxidant and antiproliferative potential. In the present study C. tora methanolic leaf extract (CTME) was evaluated for its nitric oxide scavenging activity and reducing power assays using Rutin and BHT as standards. The extract was studied for its lipid peroxidation inhibition assay using rat liver and brain. In all assays, a correlation existed between concentration of extract and percentage inhibition of free radical, reducing power and inhibition of lipid peroxidation. The antiproliferative activity of CTME with Cisplatin, anticancer drug was studied using human cervical cancer cells (HeLa). Proliferation of HeLa was measured by MTT assay, cell DNA content by modified diphenylamine method and apoptosis by Caspase 3 activity. The plant extract induced a marked concentration dependent inhibition on proliferation, reduced DNA content and apoptosis in HeLa. These results clearly indicate that C. tora is effective against free radical mediated diseases.