Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIM: Isoniazid is an antibiotic used for the treatment of tuberculosis. Previously, we found that the isoniazid derivative (E)-N'-(2,3,4-trihydroxybenzylidene) isonicotinohydrazide (ITHB4) could be developed as novel antimycobacterial agent by lead optimization. We further explored the ability of this compound compared to zerumbone in inhibiting the growth of MCF-7 breast cancer cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cytotoxicity was measured by the MTT assay and further confirmed via apoptosis, ROS, cell cycle, DNA fragmentation and cytokine assays. RESULTS: ITHB4 demonstrated a lower IC(50) compared to zerumbone in inhibiting the proliferation of MCF-7 cells. ITHB4 showed no toxicity against normal breast and human immune cells. Apoptosis assay revealed that ITHB4, at a concentration equal to the IC(50), induces apoptosis of MCF-7 cells and cell cycle arrest at the sub-G1 and G(2)/M phases. ITHB4 triggered accumulation of intracellular ROS and nuclear DNA fragmentation. Secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines induced inflammation and potentially immunogenic cell death. CONCLUSION: ITHB4 has almost similar chemotherapeutic properties as zerumbone in inhibiting MCF-7 growth, and hence provide the basis for further experiments in animal models.