Modulation of Apoptosis and Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition E-cadherin/TGF-β/Snail/TWIST Pathways by a New Ciprofloxacin Chalcone in Breast Cancer Cells

Abstract

Background/Aim: This study aimed to investigate the effect of the new ciprofloxacin chalcone [7-(4-(N-substituted carbamoyl methyl) piperazin-1 yl)] on the proliferation, migration, and metastasis of MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cell lines. Materials and Methods: Cell viability, colony formation and cell migration abilities were analysed. Cell cycle distribution and apoptosis were examined by flow cytometry. The molecular mechanism underlying chalcone’s activity was investigated using qRT-PCR and western blotting. Results: This new ciprofloxacin chalcone significantly inhibited proliferation, colony formation, and cell migration abilities of both cancer cell lines. Furthermore, it initiated apoptosis and caused cell cycle arrest at G2/M and S phase in MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cell lines, respectively. In addition, it up-regulated the expression of pro-apoptotic factors, p53, PUMA and NOXA, and down-regulated the expression of anti-apoptotic factors, MDM2 and MDM4. At the same time, it inhibited epithelial–mesenchymal transition by increasing the expression of E-cadherin and decreasing the expression of TGF-β1, SNAI1, TWIST1, MMP2, and MMP9. Conclusion: This new ciprofloxacin chalcone exhibited promising apoptotic and anti-metastatic activities against MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cell lines, and, therefore, is an attractive molecule for drug development in the treatment of breast cancer.