Anti-cancer effects of citalopram on hepatocellular carcinoma cells occur via cytochrome C release and the activation of NF-κB


Ahmədian E., Eftekhari A., Babaei H., Nayebi A. M., Eghbal M. A.

Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry, vol.17, no.11, pp.1570-1577, 2017 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus) identifier identifier

  • Nəşrin Növü: Article / Article
  • Cild: 17 Say: 11
  • Nəşr tarixi: 2017
  • Doi nömrəsi: 10.2174/1871520617666170327155930
  • jurnalın adı: Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry
  • Jurnalın baxıldığı indekslər: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
  • Səhifə sayı: pp.1570-1577
  • Açar sözlər: Apoptosis, Bay11-7082, Cancer, Citalopram, Cytotoxicity, HepG2
  • Açıq Arxiv Kolleksiyası: Məqalə
  • Adres: Bəli

Qısa məlumat

Background: Evidence has been provided of the anti-proliferative activity of citalopram against some cancer cells. Objective: The apoptotic impact of citalopram, an antidepressant, against liver hepatocellular carcinoma cell line HepG2 was investigated in relation to the oxidative pathway and nuclear factor (NF)κB activation. Method: The cytotoxic effects of citalopram on HepG2 cells were determined by MTT assay. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation and cytochrome c release were measured following treatment with citalopram. Apoptosis analysis and Bax and Bcl--‐2 mRNA and protein levels were also determined. Results: The cytotoxic effects of different concentrations of citalopram on HepG2 cells were observed as a reduction in cell viability and an increase in ROS formation. Citalopram caused an increase in mitochondrial Bax levels and a decrease in Bcl2 levels and also caused cytochrome c release. Moreover, DAPI staining and flow cytometry assays revealed citalopram-induced apoptosis in HepG2 cells. Oxidant scavengers and Bay 11-7082 (an irreversible inhibitor of NFκB activation) prevented the citalopram-associated cell death, increased BAX and decreased Bcl2. Conclusion: Outcomes from current study suggest that citalopram might exhibit apoptotic effect against hepatocellular carcinoma cell line by induction of cell death through cytochrome c release and ROS-dependent activation of NFκB.