| Previous studies have suggested that quinazolinone derivatives are potent apoptosis-inducing agents in
various cancer cell lines. In the present study, we have investigated cytotoxic, apoptosis induction, and
molecular docking activities of the spiroquinazolinone benzamide derivatives family on MCF-7 human
breast cancer cells. The MTT cytotoxicity assays and docking studies showed that 4t-CHQB was the most
active compound among the prepared spiroquinazolinone benzamide compounds with IC50 of
50 ± 1.2 mM and was selected for further assessments. Apoptosis, as the mechanism of cell death, was
assessed morphologically by acridine orange/ethidium bromide (AO/EtBr) double staining, evaluation of
the cell surface phosphatidylserine (PS) expression through annexin V/PI technique and, the formation of
DNA ladder. Down regulation of survivinwas evaluated in protein level after cell treatment with 4t-CHQB
using western blotting method. Molecular modeling experiments involving 4t-CHQB binding site of
survivin showed several strong hydrogen bonds and hydrophobic interactions between many important
amino acid residues. Overall, the obtained data suggest that the assessed spiroquinazolinone benzamide
compounds may provide a novel therapeutic approach for further evaluation, as an effective chemotherapeutic
family acting through down regulation of survivin and apoptosis induction in breast cancer. |