Angiotensin II receptor antagonist olmesartan and NF-kappaB inhibitor as cytotoxic and apoptotic agents in MCF-7 human cell line

Objective: Over expression of renin-angiotensin system (Ras) and nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) have major role in many cancers. In this study, role of angiotensin II (Ag II) and NF-kappaB pathway in breast Cancer cell line (MCF-7) proliferation were studied using olmesartan (as a novel Ag II antagonist) and Bay11-7082 (as NF-kappaB inhibitor).

Materials and methods: Cells were treated with different concentrations of olmesartan and Bay11-7082.Cell proliferation was determined by 4, 5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl, 2, 5-diphenyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay. Apoptotic cells were evaluated using PI staining of DNA fragmentation.

Results: Olmesartan and Bay11-7082 decreased cell viability. Combination of olmesartan with Bay11-7082 also decreased cell viability as compared with single agent treatments. Results showed that Apoptosis is involved in olmesartan and Bay11-7082-induced toxicity.

Conclusion: Olmesartan and Bay11-7082 inhibit the MCF-7 cells growth indicating Ras and NF-kappaB pathway blockade lead to cytotoxicity and Apoptosis induction against tumour cells. So ARBs and NF-kappaB pathway inhibitors could be considered as Anticancer drugs in future.