Anticancer Potential of Thiocolchicoside: An In-Vitro MTT Assay Study

Thiocolchicoside (THC), a semi-synthetic derivative of colchicoside, is utilized clinically as a muscle relaxant. Nonetheless, its structural resemblance to colchicine indicates possible anticancer attributes. This study sought to assess the cytotoxic effects of THC on human mammary gland breast adenocarcinoma (MCF-7) and human gastric adenocarcinoma (AGS) cell lines utilizing the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, in comparison to VC. Cells were exposed to incremental dosages of THC 20-100 µg/ml and VC 20-100 µg/ml for 24 to 48 hours, and cell viability was evaluated. THC showed dose‑dependent cytotoxicity, reducing cell viability at higher concentrations, though less potent than VC. These results suggest that THC may have anticancer properties, necessitating more mechanistic and in vivo investigations. The aim was to study the anticancer effects of THC in various cell lines in comparison with the standard drug VC. The MCF-7 and AGS cell lines, which were chosen as exemplary models for the investigation, were procured from the National Centre of Cell Sciences (NCCS), Pune, India. Dimethyl Sulfoxide (DMSO), 200 µl, which was used as a control in this study, was procured from Thermo Fisher, Pune, India. THC was used as a test drug and was procured from Dr. Reddy's Laboratory Limited, Hyderabad, India, and VC, which was used as a reference drug, was procured from Yarrow Chem Products, Mumbai, India. The MTT reagent used in this study to monitor cell viability was procured from Thermo Fisher Scientific, Pune, India. Cell lines were treated with different concentrations of THC and VC ranging from 20 to 100 µg/ml for 24-48 hours, and absorbance was measured at 570 nm. After treatment, their cell viability was measured. VC exhibited markedly superior inhibitory action compared to THC in MCF-7 cells (p < 0.05); however, in AGS cells, the difference was not statistically significant (p > 0.05), suggesting comparable effects under the evaluated conditions. This shows THC has moderate cytotoxic activity. THC showed a dose-dependent decrease in cell viability and can be selected as a repurposing agent.