Combination effects of salvianolic acid B with low-dose celecoxib on inhibition of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma growth in vitro and in vivo.
Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) development is closely associated with inflammation. Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) is an important mediator of inflammation. Therefore, celecoxib, a selective inhibitor of COX-2, was hailed as a promising chemopreventive agent for HNSCC. Dose-dependent cardiac toxicity limits long-term use of celecoxib, but it seems likely that this may be diminished by lowering its dose. We found that salvianolic acid B (Sal-B), isolated from Salvia miltiorrhiza Bge, can effectively suppress COX-2 expression and induce apoptosis in a variety of cancer cell lines. In this study, we report that combination of Sal-B with low-dose celecoxib results in a more pronounced anticancer effect in HNSCC than either agent alone. The combination effects were assessed in four HNSCC cell lines (JHU-06, JHU-011, JHU-013, and JHU-022) by evaluating cell viability, proliferation, and tumor xenograft growth. Cell viability and proliferation were significantly inhibited by both the combined and single-agent treatments. However, the combination treatment significantly enhanced anticancer efficacy in JHU-013 and JHU-022 cell lines compared with the single treatment regimens. A half-dose of daily Sal-B (40 mg/kg/d) and celecoxib (2.5 mg/kg/d) significantly inhibited JHU-013 xenograft growth relative to mice treated with a full dose of Sal-B or celecoxib alone. The combination was associated with profound inhibition of COX-2 and enhanced induction of apoptosis. Taken together, these results strongly suggest that combination of Sal-B, a multifunctional anticancer agent, with low-dose celecoxib holds potential as a new preventive strategy in targeting inflammatory-associated tumor development.
Zhao
Yuan
Y
Department of Oral Diagnostic Service, Howard University College of Dentistry, NW, Washington, DC 20059, USA.
Hao
Yubin
Y
Ji
Hongguang
H
Fang
Yayin
Y
Guo
Yinhan
Y
Sha
Wei
W
Zhou
Yanfei
Y
Pang
Xiaowu
X
Southerland
William M
WM
Califano
Joseph A
JA
Gu
Xinbin
X
D000818:Animals; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D001572:Benzofurans / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000473:pathology*; D000068579:Celecoxib; D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology / Q000637:transplantation; D052246:Cyclooxygenase 2 Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015232:Dinoprostone / Q000097:blood; D004357:Drug Synergism; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D020287:In Situ Nick-End Labeling; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008819:Mice, Nude; D011720:Pyrazoles / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D027561:Salvia miltiorrhiza; D013449:Sulfonamides / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D023041:Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays; D053630:Depsides
D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; D001572:Benzofurans; D000068579:Celecoxib; D052246:Cyclooxygenase 2 Inhibitors; D015232:Dinoprostone; D011720:Pyrazoles; D013449:Sulfonamides; C076944:salvianolic acid B; D053630:Depsides