MS-5, a Naphthalene Derivative, Induces Apoptosis in Human Pancreatic Cancer BxPC-3 Cells by Modulating Reactive Oxygen Species

Pancreatic cancer is one of the most fatal cancers with a poor prognosis. Standard chemotherapies have proven largely ineffective because of their toxicity and the development of resistance. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop novel therapies. In this study, we investigated the antitumor activity of MS-5, a naphthalene derivative, on BxPC-3, a human pancreatic cancer cell line. We observed that MS-5 was cytotoxic to BxPC-3 cells, as well as inhibited the growth of cells in a concentration-and time- dependent manner. Flow cytometry analysis revealed that the percentage of annexin V-positive cells increased after MS-5 treatment. We also observed cleavage of caspases and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase, and downregulation of Bcl-xL protein. Flow cytometry analysis of intracellular levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and mitochondrial superoxide suggested that MS-5 induced the generation of mitochondrial superoxide while lowering the overall intracellular ROS levels. Thus, MS-5 may be potential candidate for pancreatic cancer treatment.

Automated summary

Pancreatic cancer is a fatal cancer with poor prognosis and current chemotherapies are largely ineffective. In this study, the naphthalene derivative MS-5 showed cytotoxic effects and inhibited the growth of human pancreatic cancer cells. MS-5 treatment led to increased annexin V-positive cells, cleavage of caspases and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase, and downregulation of Bcl-xL protein. Furthermore, MS-5 induced the generation of mitochondrial superoxide while lowering overall intracellular ROS levels. MS-5 has the potential to be a candidate for pancreatic cancer treatment.