Scopus İndeksli Yayınlar Koleksiyonu
Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14627/7
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Article Synergistic Anticancer Effects of the PLK1 Inhibitor BI-2536 and β-Glucan in Colon and Gastric Cancer Cells(International Institute of Anticancer Research, 2026) Saraç, Bülent; Joha, Ziad; Takci, Rabia Gökçe; Hacisüleyman, Levent; Şahİnbaş, BurcuArticle Ibuprofen and Nimesulide Derivatives Selectively Induce Apoptosis in HER2-Positive Breast Cancer via Inhibition of the PLA2-COX-2-NF-κB Pathway(Springer, 2026) Bedir, Ipek; Cakirli, Egemen; Kucukguzel, S. Guniz; Yilmaz, Ozgur; Biliz, Yagmur; Telci, DilekBackground Chronic inflammation contributes to breast cancer development through the phospholipase A(2) (PLA(2))-cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2)-nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kappa B) cascade, which regulates prostaglandin synthesis, oxidative stress, and transcription of pro-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic genes. This pathway is particularly active in HER2-positive breast cancer, promoting proliferation, invasion, and resistance to apoptosis. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen and nimesulide target COX enzymes and have shown potential in suppressing inflammation-driven tumorigenesis. In this study, we evaluated the anticancer and anti-inflammatory activity of newly synthesized, structurally modified ibuprofen and nimesulide derivatives designed to modulate PLA(2)-COX-2-NF-kappa B axis. Methods and Results Cytotoxicity was assessed in HER2-positive breast cancer cells (AU565 and SKBR3) and compared with normal dermal fibroblasts (HDF) and breast epithelial cells (MCF-12A), using WST-1 assays. Apoptosis, cell cycle distribution, caspase-3/7 activation, and ROS generation were analyzed by imaging-based assays, flow cytometry, and fluorescence methods. Gene expression of PLA2G2A and PTGS2 was quantified by qRT-PCR, and NF-kappa B translocation was analyzed by immunocytochemistry. Two ibuprofen triazole derivative (D1) and ibuprofen thioether derivative (D7) and one nimesulide derivative (D8) significantly reduced cell viability in a dose-dependent manner without affecting normal cells. These derivatives induced G(0)/G(1) arrest, caspase-3/7 activation, ROS reduction, and increased late apoptosis. Downregulation of PLA2G2A and PTGS2 expression and inhibition of NF-kappa B translocation confirmed disruption of the PLA(2)-COX-2-NF-kappa B cascade. Conclusion These findings demonstrate that structurally optimized ibuprofen and nimesulide derivatives exert dual anti-inflammatory and anticancer effects in HER2-positive breast cancer by suppressing PLA(2)-COX-2-NF-kappa B pathway and promoting apoptotic cell death.Article 1,2,4-Triazole Conjugates as HEGFR Inhibitors: Synthesis, Anticancer Evaluation, and in Silico Studies(Wiley-V C H Verlag GmbH, 2026) Bulbul, Bahadir; Kulabas, Necla; Gurboga, Merve; Ozakpinar, Ozlem Bingol; Cakmak, Ummuhan; Tuncay, Fulya Oz; Kucukguzel, IlkayA series of novel 1,2,4-triazole-acetamide derivatives was synthesized and evaluated for anticancer and hEGFR inhibitory activity. The compounds were obtained via multistep synthesis and characterized by spectroscopic methods. Cytotoxicity was tested against PC-3, MCF-7, A549, and K562 cell lines. Compounds <bold>18</bold>, <bold>19</bold>, and especially <bold>24</bold> showed notable antiproliferative effects, with compound <bold>24</bold> exhibiting higher selectivity and potency than gefitinib. It also induced apoptosis and inhibited migration in A549 and PC-3 cells, while selectively promoting invasion in PC-3, suggesting EMT-related behavior. In vitro kinase assays revealed compound <bold>20</bold> as the most potent hEGFR inhibitor (IC50 = 43.8 +/- 1.3 nM). Molecular docking and 200 ns molecular dynamics simulations confirmed its stable interaction with EGFR, particularly involving Cys797. These findings highlight compounds <bold>20</bold> and <bold>24</bold> as promising candidates for further development as EGFR-targeted anticancer agents.Article Investigation of Novel Nimesulide Derivatives Against Breast Cancer(Academic Press Inc Elsevier Science, 2025) Birgul, Kaan; Atlihan, Irem; Dere, Damla; Yelekci, Kemal; Tiber, Pinar Mega; Orun, Oya; Kucukguzel, S. GunizThis study focused on the synthesis of novel nimesulide semicarbazone derivatives and the evaluation of their cytotoxic potential against luminal-A (MCF-7) and triple-negative (MDA-MB-231) breast cancer cell lines. Additionally, their effects on mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), apoptosis, and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway modulation were investigated. Breast cancer remains the most prevalent malignancy among women, with luminal-A and triple-negative subtypes posing significant therapeutic challenges due to drug resistance and the lack of effective targeted treatments. The MAPK pathway plays a crucial role in breast cancer progression, making its inhibition a promising therapeutic approach. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), particularly nimesulide, have demonstrated anticancer potential beyond their well-established anti-inflammatory properties. Accordingly, the semicarbazone moiety was incorporated into the molecular scaffold to enhance the antiproliferative efficacy of nimesulide derivatives, as it has been reported to exhibit cytotoxic and apoptosis-inducing effects across various cancer cell lines. A series of nimesulide semicarbazone derivatives (5a-m) were synthesized through multi-step reactions and characterized using elemental analysis, FT-IR, 1H NMR, 13C NMR and Mass spectroscopy (5e). In silico studies were performed to predict their binding affinities to MAPK12. The cytotoxic effects of the synthesized compounds were assessed by determining IC50 values in MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cell lines (CCK8 test). Compounds exhibiting strong cytotoxic activity were further examined for their impact on MMP depolarization (JC-1 assay), apoptosis induction (Annexin V-FITC/PI staining), and MAPK pathway modulation (Western blotting of p-ERK and ERK protein). Molecular docking results indicated that the synthesized compounds exhibited favorable interactions with MAPK12, with compound 5e showing one of the highest binding affinity (-9.29 kcal/mol, Ki = 0.154 mu M). Cytotoxicity assays revealed that compound 5e had the lowest IC50 values (11.77 +/- 0.26 mu M in MCF-7; 20.72 +/- 0.25 mu M in MDA-MB-231), demonstrating significantly higher cytotoxicity than nimesulide. JC-1 assays confirmed that compound 5e induced MMP depolarization at higher concentrations, suggesting apoptosis activation. Flow cytometry analysis further validated a substantial increase in apoptotic cell populations following treatment with compound 5e. Western blot results showed a dose-dependent decrease in p-ERK levels in both MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells, confirming MAPK pathway inhibition. These findings support that nimesulide-based semicarbazones, particularly compound 5e, exhibit potent antiproliferative and pro-apoptotic activity via MAPK pathway modulation, offering a promising avenue for the development of targeted breast cancer therapies.Article Citation - WoS: 2Citation - Scopus: 3Biological Activities of Etodolac-Based Hydrazone, Thiazolidinone and Triazole Derivatives on Breast Cancer Cell Lines MCF-7 and MDA-MB(Wiley, 2025) Sevinc, Sevgi Kocyigit; Cikla-Suzgun, Pelin; Tiber, Pinar Mega; Kucukguzel, S. Guniz; Orun, Oya; Güniz Küçükgüzel, Ş.In this study, several etodolac-based hydrazone, thiazolidinone, and triazole derivatives that we synthesized and characterized in our earlier research were tested against the hormone-responsive breast cell line MCF-7 and the triple-negative MDA-MB-231, as well as the murine origin fibroblast cell line L-929, at varying doses for their effects on cell viability and toxicity and for their inhibitory activity on cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2)/prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) formation. Cell viability and apoptosis tests were utilized to assess the anti-cancer potential of etodolac and its derivatives after the cells were exposed to varied concentrations of synthesized compounds for three different time periods. ELISA and Western blot methods were used to detect protein levels. All synthesized compounds demonstrated higher anti-cancer activity at significantly lower doses compared to etodolac (half-maximal inhibitory concentration [IC50] of 0-50 mu M range in derivatives versus 0.5-1 mM range in etodolac). Except for SGK 242, which had a major toxic effect on all cells, the chemicals SGK 206 and SGK 217 had a twice-less impact on control murine L-929 fibroblasts. Similar to proliferation, low concentrations of SGK 206 and SGK 217 (25-50 mu M) significantly induced apoptosis in breast cancer cells but not in normal cells. Additionally, they inhibited COX-2 protein expression at 50 mu M, and SGK 206 inhibited PGE2 release more effectively than etodolac in cancer cells. The results of this study suggest that, in comparison to a healthy control group, the thiazolidinone derivative SGK 206 and the thiazolidinone derivative SGK 217 are more effective than etodolac when it comes to the breast cancer cell lines MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231. SGK 206 exhibits a low IC50 value, a distinct dose-response relationship, and strong apoptotic effects, particularly on MDA-MB-231 cells.Article Citation - WoS: 2Citation - Scopus: 2Novel Triazole-Urea Hybrids as Promising EGFR Inhibitors: Synthesis, Molecular Modeling and Antiproliferative Activity Studies Against Breast Cancer(Elsevier, 2025) Ture, Asli; Gulcan, Mehmet Metehan; Birgul, Serap Ipek Dingis; Erdogan, Oguz; Erdogan, Omer; Tuncay, Fulya Oz; Kucukguzel, Ilkay; Öz Tuncay, Fulya; Dingiş Birgül, Serap İpekBreast cancer is the second leading cause of mortality among women globally. In this study, novel promising urea derivatives containing a 4-phenyl-5-sulphanylidene-4,5-dihydro-1H-1,2,4-triazole group were synthesized and evaluated for their biological activities against breast cancer. The cytotoxicity and apoptotic profiles of these compounds were assessed on the MCF7 breast cancer cell line and the L929 fibroblast cell line. Compound 5c exhibited the strongest anticancer activity against MCF7 cells with an IC50 value of 56.97+4.22 mu M, while it showed significantly lower cytotoxicity against L929 cells (IC50 = 1651+18.39 mu M). Compound 5c also induced early apoptosis in MCF7 cells, with an apoptosis rate of 18.40% and 5.28%, respectively. Additionally, the EGFR inhibitory activities of the synthesized compounds were evaluated, with compound 5i demonstrating the most potent EGFR inhibition, showing an IC50 value of 35.1 nM. These results suggest that compound 5c likely exerts its anticancer effects through mechanisms other than EGFR inhibition, while compound 5i has significant potential as an effective EGFR inhibitor. Molecular modeling studies were conducted to suggest putative binding interactions of compounds 5d, 5e and 5i with wildtype hEGFR. Further studies are warranted to explore their activity against other cancer types.Article Citation - WoS: 1Citation - Scopus: 2Glyphosate and AMPA-Induced Apoptosis and Epigenetic Alterations in HepG2 Cells: Upregulation of P53-BAX-CASP Pathways(Pergamon-Elsevier Science Ltd, 2025) Mehtiyev, Tugrul; Guler, Zeynep Rana; Aktan, Elif; Ozden, SibelGlyphosate and its metabolite aminomethylphosphonic acid (AMPA) are environmental contaminants with potential toxic effects. This study aimed to investigate apoptosis and epigenetic alterations induced by glyphosate and AMPA in HepG2 cells. The IC50 values for glyphosate and AMPA were 6.19 mM and 8.13 mM, respectively, following 24 h exposure; mechanistic assays were conducted at sub-cytotoxic concentrations (50-500 mu M). Annexin V/PI flow cytometry revealed that AMPA significantly increased early apoptosis (up to 116 %, p < 0.001), while glyphosate elevated late apoptosis (up to 145 %, p < 0.001). Gene expression analysis showed significant upregulation of p53 (>= 1.49-fold), BAX (>= 1.82-fold), CASP3 (>= 1.37-fold), and CASP9 (>= 1.83-fold), with no significant change in BCL2. Epigenetic analysis indicated that both glyphosate and AMPA increased global DNA methylation, with fold changes ranging from 1.43 to 1.62-fold at concentrations of 100-250 mu M (p < 0.05). DNA methyltransferase genes DNMT1 (>= 2.44-fold), DNMT3A (>= 1.65-fold), and DNMT3B (>= 1.65-fold) were upregulated. Additionally, histone modification profiling showed elevated levels of H3K27me3, H3K9me3, and H3K9ac (p < 0.05), alongside increased expression of G9a (>= 1.64-fold), EZH2 (>= 2.14-fold), SETD1B (>= 2.15-fold), HAT1 (>= 2.40-fold), and SIRT1 (>= 2.57-fold), and downregulation of SUV39H1 (>= 0.27-fold). These findings reveal the molecular mechanisms of glyphosate and AMPA toxicity, linking apoptosis to epigenetic alterations and enhancing understanding of their risks.