Enhancing temozolomide antiglioma response by inhibiting O6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase with selected phytochemicals: in silico and in vitro approach

R. J.A. Vibhavari, Vanishree Rao, Sri Pragnya Cheruku, B. Harish Kumar, Swastika Maity, Krishnadas Nandakumar, Lalit Kumar, Chetan Hasmukh Mehta, Usha Nayak, Mallikarjuna Rao Chamallamudi, Nitesh Kumar*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

1 Citation (Scopus)

Abstract

The aim of our study was to investigate the potential of rutin, catechin, dehydrozingerone, naringenin, and quercetin, both alone and in combination with temozolomide, to inhibit the expression of O6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) in glioma cells. MGMT has been shown to be a major cause of temozolomide resistance in glioma. Our study used both in silico and in vitro methods to assess the inhibitory activity of these phytochemicals on MGMT, with the goal of identifying the most effective combination of compounds for reducing temozolomide resistance. After conducting an initial in silico screening of natural compounds against MGMT protein, five phytochemicals were chosen based on their high docking scores and favorable binding energies. From the molecular docking and simulation studies, we found that quercetin showed a good inhibitory effect of MGMT with its high binding affinity. C6 glioma cells showed increased cytotoxicity when treated with the temozolomide and quercetin combination. It was understood from the isobologram and combination index plot that the drug combination showed a synergistic effect at the lowest dose. Quercetin when combined with temozolomide significantly decreased the MGMT levels in C6 cells in comparison with the other drugs as estimated by ELISA. The percentage of apoptotic cells increased significantly in the temozolomide–quercetin group indicating the potency of quercetin in decreasing the resistance of temozolomide as confirmed by acridine orange/ethidium bromide staining. Our experiment hence suggests that temozolomide resistance can be reduced by combining the drug with quercetin which will serve as an effective therapeutic target for glioblastoma treatment.

Original languageEnglish
Article number385
Journal3 Biotech
Volume13
Issue number12
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 12-2023

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Biotechnology
  • Environmental Science (miscellaneous)
  • Agricultural and Biological Sciences (miscellaneous)

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