Betulinic acid shows anticancer activity against equine melanoma cells and permeates isolated equine skin in vitro

Publikationen als Autor:in / Herausgeber:in der Vetmeduni

Pratscher, Barbara; Cavalleri, Jessika-Maximiliane

Abstrakt

Background Equine malignant melanoma (EMM) is a frequently occurring dermoepidermal tumor in grey horses. Currently available therapies are either challenging or inefficient. Betulinic acid (BA), a naturally occurring triterpenoid, is a promising compound for cancer treatment. To evaluate the potential of BA as a topical therapy for EMM, its anticancer effects on primary equine melanoma cells and dermal fibroblasts and its percutaneous permeation through isolated equine skin were assessed in vitro. Results BA showed antiproliferative and cytotoxic effects on both primary equine melanoma cells and fibroblasts in a time- and dose-dependent manner. The lowest half-maximal inhibitory concentrations were obtained 96 h after the beginning of drug exposure (12.7 mu mol/L and 23.6 mu mol/L for melanoma cells eRGO1 and MelDuWi, respectively, in cytotoxicity assay). High concentrations of the compound were reached in the required skin layers in vitro. Conclusion BA is a promising substance for topical EMM treatment. Further clinical studies in horses are necessary to assess safety and antitumoral effects in vivo.

Dokumententyp

Originalarbeit

Open Access Type

Gold

WoS ID

WOS:000521258400001