Autophagy induction using Resveratrol enhances the anti-cancer efficacy of Doxazosin in breast cancer cells.

Abstract

The combination of anti-cancer drugs improves effectiveness compared to the mono-therapy scenario by targeting key pathways synergistically or in an additive way. Doxazosin (DOX) and Resveratrol (RES) are reported to have an anti-cancer impact against different cancer cells. Aim: To evaluate the anti-cancer properties of Doxazosin and Resveratrol, each alone or in combination, in inhibiting breast cancer cell proliferation. Methods: MCF-7 cancer cells were seeded to a confluent monolayer and treated with 100, 50, 25, 12.5, 6.25, and 3.12 µM of each drug alone and as a combination. Cytotoxicity was evaluated using dimethyl thiazolyl diphenyl tetrazolium salt (MTT) assay and colony formation assay. The immunocytochemistry technique was conducted to evaluate caspase-3 and GABARAP expression. Results: All the drugs have a significant effect on cancer cell proliferation. The combination treatment of Doxazosin-Resveratrol has a more cytotoxic effect than each drug alone, as well as in colony formation of MCF-7 cancer cells. In combination treatment, caspase-3 had a higher expression pattern than other treatments. Resveratrol treatment elevated GABARAP expression in cancer cells, indicating the induction of the autophagy process. Conclusion: Although each drug has its characteristic result of a cytotoxic effect, the combination of Doxazosin and Resveratrol synergizes the inhibition of MCF-7 cancer cell proliferation. Keywords: Resveratrol; Doxazosin; combination; MCF-7; Autophagy.