Protective effect of (±)-gossypol through modulation of VEGF and apoptosis in mice bearing Ehrlich’s solid carcinoma
Zeitschrift fur Naturforschung - Section C Journal of Biosciences, vol.81, no.3-4, pp.267-279, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
- Publication Type: Article / Article
- Volume: 81 Issue: 3-4
- Publication Date: 2026
- 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
- Page Numbers: pp.267-279
- 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.