Lapachol as an epithelial tumor inhibitor agent in Drosophila melanogaster heterozygote for tumor suppressor gene wts

Abstract

ABSTRACT. The search for new and effective antitumor agents with fewer cytotoxic side effects on normal tissue has increasingly become important. Lapachol, a natural organic compound isolated from the lapacho tree (Tabebuia avellandedae), is chemically identified as belonging to the naphthoquinone group and is known for its antiinflammatory, analgesic and antibiotic properties, although there are questions about its effectiveness for treating neoplasic cells. We evaluated the antitumoral effects of lapachol by testing for clones of epithelial tumors in Drosophila melanogaster. Seventy-two-hour old larvae bred from wts/TM3, Sb 1 females and mwh/mwh males, were treated with different concentrations of lapachol (20, 40 and 60 µg/mL). Lapachol alone did not significantly increase the number of epithelial tumors. However, lapachol did significantly reduce the number of tumors provoked by doxorubicin.

Assessment of carcinogenic potential of soft drinks of cola, diet cola, orange and lemon, produced in the city of Uberlândia, Minas Gerais state, Brazil

“…There are higher probabilities of heterozygosis loss of the wts marker in locations with a large number of cells. The results obtained in the present investigation, for tumor frequency in the D. melanogaster appendices are in agreement with data in the literature, which shows a greater tendency to heterozygosis loss of the wts gene in appendices with a greater number of cells (SIDOROV et al, 2001;NEPOMUCENO, 2009;COSTA et al, 2011;FURTADO;NEPOMUCENO, 2012).…”

“…In Brazil, cola, lemon, orange and grapefruit based soft drinks are the most marketed and is widely used by people in different age groups (CARMO, 2006;OLIVEIRA et al, 2011).…”

“…Excessive consumption of soft drinks is worrying from the medical point of view, since due to the large amount of sugar in these drinks, the high consumption can lead to physiological changes in the body (REIS et al, 2010;OLIVEIRA et al, 2011). Due to non-activation of the satiety centers when compared to solid food, the consumption of soft drinks can lead to greater energy intake, resulting in medical conditions related to obesity.…”

“…In the latter case, this change can lead to uncontrolled cell proliferation, with the consequent appearance of tumor frames (HIB; ROBERTIS, 1998;MENK, 2000).…”

“…The Epithelial Tumor Detection Test in D. melanogaster is a test used to diagnose tumor in flies, caused by xenobiotics (SIDOROV et al, 2001;NEPOMUCENO, 2009;COSTA et al, 2011;FURTADO;NEPOMUCENO, 2012;ORSOLIN et al, 2012). This test uses the strain of D. melanogaster having the marker wts (Warts) gene, that when expressed in the wild condition acts as a tumor suppressor gene (XU et al, 1995).…”