Synergistic potential of dual andrographolide and melatonin targeting of metastatic colon cancer cells: Using the Chou-Talalay combination index method.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to evaluate the synergistic anti-carcinogenic effects of melatonin (MLT) and andrographolide (AGP) on metastatic colon cancer cells (mCRC) and colospheroids.
Results Summary
The study found that MLT and AGP in combination showed strong synergistic effects (CI < 1) in reducing cell viability in mCRC cells and colospheroids, with mechanisms involving ER stress protein induction and angiogenic inhibition. The combination also demonstrated efficacy in 5-FU drug-resistant cells.
Population
Metastatic colon cancer cells (HT-29, HCT-15) and colospheroids (HT-29-s, HCT-15-s), including 5-FU-resistant variants (HT-29R, HCT-116R).
Effective Dosage
Serial dilutions (specific amounts not stated).
Duration
24, 48, and 72 hours.
Interactions
None mentioned.
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
andrographolide (AGP) and melatonin (MLT) in combination | increase | drug interaction | HT-29 metastatic colon cancer cells | CI value of 0.35293 | show synergism | #1 |
andrographolide (AGP) and melatonin (MLT) in combination | increase | drug interaction | HCT-15 metastatic colon cancer cells | CI value of 0.34152 | show synergism | #2 |
andrographolide (AGP) and melatonin (MLT) in combination | increase | fractional inhibition | HT-29 and HCT-15 metastatic colon cancer cells | Fa = 0.50-0.90 | show synergism | #3 |
andrographolide (AGP) and melatonin (MLT) in combination | decrease | cell viability | colospheroids (HT-29-s and HCT-15-s) | - | decreased | #4 |
andrographolide (AGP) and melatonin (MLT) in combination | decrease | colony formation | colospheroids (HT-29-s and HCT-15-s) | - | decreased | #5 |
andrographolide (AGP) and melatonin (MLT) in combination | decrease | cell viability | 5-FU drug resistant cells (HT-29R and HCT-116R) | - | decreased | #6 |
andrographolide (AGP) and melatonin (MLT) in combination | increase | ER stress proteins | metastatic colon cancer cells | - | induction of | #7 |
andrographolide (AGP) and melatonin (MLT) in combination | decrease | angiogenesis | metastatic colon cancer cells | - | angiogenic inhibition | #8 |
Colorectal cancer (CRC) mortality has diminished for decades due to new and improved treatment profiles. However, CRC still ranks as the third most diagnosed cancer in the US. Therefore, a new therapeutic approach is needed to overcome colospheroids inhibition and drug resistance. It is well documented that andrographolide (AGP) and melatonin (MLT) have anti-carcinogenic properties. Our goal was to evaluate their synergistic effects on metastatic colon cancer cells (mCRC) and colospheroids. HT-29 and HCT-15 mCRC cells were simultaneously treated with serial dilutions of AGP and MLT for 24, 48 and 72 h. Cell viability was monitored using the MTT assay. The Chou-Talalay method for drug combination is based on the median effect equation, providing a theoretical basis for the combination index and the isobologram equation. This allows quantitative determination of drug interactions using the CompuSyn software, where CI < 1, = 1, and >1 indicates synergistic, additive, and antagonistic effects respectively. Our results demonstrate that AGP and MLT in combination show synergism with CI values of 0.35293 and 0.34152 for HT-29 and HCT-15 respectively and a fractional inhibition of Fa = 0.50-0.90, as shown by the Fa-CI plot and isobologram. The synergism value was validated in colospheroids (HT-29-s and HCT-15-s) based on morphology, viability, and colony formation and in 5-FU drug resistant cell (HT-29R and HCT-116R) viability. The mechanism(s) of decreased cell viability are due to the induction of ER stress proteins and angiogenic inhibition. Our results provide rationale for using AGP in combination with MLT on mCRC.