Curcumin and Vinblastine Disturb Ectonucleotides Enzymes Activity and Promote ROS Production in Human Cutaneous Melanoma Cells

Abstract

Cancer is the leading cause of death. Melanoma skin cancer originates in melanocytes and represents 80% of the deaths associated with skin cancer. Vinblastine (VIN) is a chemotherapeutic agent used in the treatment of cancer through disrupting mitotic spindle and tumor development. Curcumin (CUR), a compound extracted from the rhizomes of the Curcuma longa plant, has beneficial effects in preventing the development and progression of cancer while modulating the immune response and oxidative stress. The expression of purinergic receptors, ecto-enzymes, and adenosine can modulate the inflammatory responses in cancer. The activity of enzymes, the markers of cell damage in oxidative stress, the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and the activities of ecto-enzymes in the melanoma cell line were investigated. The human melanoma cell line was treated with curcumin (40 µM), vinblastine (VIN) (20 nM), or a combination of both for 24h. Oxidative stress enzymes and byproducts were measured and compared against the activity of ecto-enzymes. There was a marked increase in ROS production in all groups, but an increase in protein carbonylation was only detected in the VIN group. CUR had an inhibitory effect on extracellular ADP HIGHLIGHTS• Melanoma is a cancer with poor prognosis, and metastasis.• Curcumin is a compound with many beneficial effects regarding prevention and adjuvant treatment of cancer • Vinblastine and curcumin greatly promoted production of ROS in melanoma cells• Curcumin disrupted adenosine formation cascade, reducing imunosupression at tumoral site.

Improved Antiproliferative Activity of Doxorubicin-Loaded Calcium Phosphate Nanoparticles Against Melanoma Cells

“…Cancer remains a major public health issue, being the second leading cause of death in the U.S., exceeded only by cardiac failure [1]. Melanoma is a class of skin cancer that develops quickly, invasively, has poor diagnosis [2,3] and, its occurrence is increasing over the years. The American Cancer Society informs that at least 99.780 new cases of melanoma were expected to be reported in 2022 [4].…”