Protective effect of (±)-gossypol through modulation of VEGF and apoptosis in mice bearing Ehrlich’s solid carcinoma


Ulus G., Karayıldırım Ç. K., Yigitturk G., KOPARAL A. T., Yavasoglu A., Yavasoglu N. U. K.

Zeitschrift fur Naturforschung - Section C Journal of Biosciences, 2025 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus) identifier identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Publication Date: 2025
  • Doi Number: 10.1515/znc-2025-0050
  • Journal Name: Zeitschrift fur Naturforschung - Section C Journal of Biosciences
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, Aquatic Science & Fisheries Abstracts (ASFA), BIOSIS, CAB Abstracts, Chemical Abstracts Core, MEDLINE, Veterinary Science Database
  • Keywords: (±) gossypol, apoptosis, Ehrlich solid carcinoma, protective effect, VEGF
  • Anadolu University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

This study aimed to demonstrate the protective effect of the racemic form of gossypol ((±)-gossypol) on Ehrlich’s solid carcinoma (ESC) model as a syngeneic breast cancer model. In the study, solid tumors developed in 100 % of BALB/c mice in the tumor control group, no tumor development was observed in the group treated with (±)-gossypol prior to tumor cell implantation, and tumor formation was determined as 28.6 % in the post-implantation gossypol treatment group. (±)-Gossypol treatment significantly reduced VEGF expression, indicating a potent anti-angiogenic effect. In the tumor control group, VEGF expression was observed to be markedly intense and extensively distributed across the tumor tissue. Conversely, in the post-implantation gossypol treatment group, VEGF expression was assessed to be significantly lower in comparison to the tumor control group. Administration of (±)-gossypol (40 mg/kg/day ip) for five consecutive days was well tolerated, with no observable signs of systemic toxicity, such as >5 % weight loss or behavioral abnormalities on mice. These findings revealed that (±)-gossypol, in addition to its tumor suppressive effect, can inhibit pro-angiogenic effects of Ehrlich’s ascites carcinoma (EAC) cells and have a protective effect in breast cancer.