Aotaphenazine, a rare hydrophenazine, targets topoisomerase II with anticancer efficacy: In silico to in vitro evidence
aotaphenazine exhibits a compelling combination of Topo II inhibition, DNA intercalation, and selective anticancer activity, supported by both computational modeling and biological validation. Its lower cytotoxicity toward normal cells and ability to induce apoptosis and cell cycle arrest suggest strong therapeutic potential. These findings establish aotaphenazine as a promising lead compound for the development of safer and more selective Topo II-targeting anticancer agents.
Authors
- Mohamed S. Abdelfattah (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6416-9011)
- Ibrahim H. Eissa (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6955-2263)
- Aisha A. Alsfouk (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4497-5013)
- Wael M. Afifi (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7388-253X)
- Eslam B. Elkaeed (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2546-8035)
- Ahmed M. Metwaly (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8566-1980)
- Ibrahim M. Ibrahim (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0005-1699-848X)
Institutions
- Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University (SA)
- Alfaisal University (SA)
- Sinai University (EG)
- Cairo University (EG)
- Al-Azhar University (EG)
- Almaarefa University
- Helwan University (EG)
Publication Details
- Journal
- PLoS ONE
- Published
- 2025-12-05
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0338135
- Citations
- 1
- Primary Topic
- Cancer therapeutics and mechanisms
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.81