Synthesis and biological evaluation of novel podophyllotoxin-NSAIDs conjugates as multifunctional anti-MDR agents against resistant human hepatocellular carcinoma Bel-7402/5-FU cells

Currently, multi-drug resistance (MDR) to chemotherapy agents is a major hindrance to the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma. Development of novel antineoplastic drug with anti-MDR activity is an effectively way to overcome Cancer resistance. In present study, novel podophyllotoxin-NSAIDs conjugates were synthesized, and their antiproliferative activities were evaluated in vitro. The most potent conjugate, A1, displayed selective cytotoxicity against resistant Bel-7402/5-FU cells with an IC₅₀ value of 0.065 ± 0.016 μM and a lower resistant factor value of 0.32. In addition, all conjugate molecules efficiently triggered cell cycle arrest at S + G2 phase, induced Apoptosis, disrupted the microtubule network and showed antimigratory activity in Bel-7402/5-FU cells. Finally, three conjugates regulated the levels of cell cycle arrest-, apoptosis-, migratory-, inflammatory- and MDR-related proteins, as well as three signaling in Bel-7402/5-FU cells by some but not all similar molecular mechanisms. Together, these findings highlighted the cytotoxic and multifunctional anti-MDR properties of podophyllotoxin-NSAIDs conjugates for the first time, which may be promising candidates for intervention of resistant hepatocellular carcinoma.

Anti-MDR activity; Bel-7402/5-FU; Conjugate; NSAIDs; Podophyllotoxin.