Korean Journal of Veterinary Research (대한수의학회지)

The Korean Society of Veterinary Science (대한수의학회)
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Differential cytotoxic effects of fenbendazole on mouse lymphoma EL-4 cells and spleen cells

  • Haebeen Jung (College of Veterinary Medicine, Jeju National University) ;
  • You-Jeong Lee (College of Veterinary Medicine, Jeju National University) ;
  • Hong-Gu Joo (College of Veterinary Medicine, Jeju National University)
  • Received : 2022.11.09
  • Accepted : 2023.01.20
  • Published : 2023.03.31
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Abstract

Fenbendazole (FBZ) is a benzimidazole anthelmintic widely used to treat parasitic infections. The anticancer effect of FBZ has been recently highlighted leading to its consideration as a potential anticancer agent. Although previous studies have demonstrated the effect of FBZ on cancer cells, there is a paucity of studies on the effect of FBZ on lymphoma cells and normal immune cells. Herein, we investigated the effects of FBZ on a mouse lymphoma cell line, EL-4 cells, and spleen cells, using vincristine as a positive control. The cellular metabolic activity of EL-4 cells was decreased by FBZ, but that of the spleen cells was not decreased. Moreover, FBZ reduced the mitochondrial membrane potential and induced reactive oxygen species production in EL-4 cells, but not in spleen cells. FBZ induced G2/M phase arrest and increased the sub G0/G1 phase ratio, indicating apoptosis. Furthermore, compared to the control cells, the reactivity of spleen cells pretreated with FBZ to lipopolysaccharide was maintained. In summary, FBZ is cytotoxic to EL-4 cells, but not to spleen cells. This study provides experimental evidence that FBZ exerts an anticancer effect, and less cytotoxic effects and functional damage to normal spleen cells.

Keywords

Acknowledgement

This research was supported by the 2022 scientific promotion program funded by Jeju National University.

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