Investigation of the Effects of Mebendazole on the Caspase-mediated Apoptosis Mechanism in Cancer Cell Culture

Abstract This study was conducted to compare mebendazole in terms of its apoptosis-inducing and tubulin-inhibitory effects when combined with vincristine and paclitaxel, both of which are used in cancer treatment Lung fibroblast cells (MRC-5) and small cell lung carcinoma (NCI-H209) cell lines were used in the study. Concentrations of mebendazole, vincristine, and paclitaxel at 0.5 µM, 1 µM, 1.5 µM, and 2 µM were separately applied to these cell lines, as well as in combinations. After the cells were kept in the culture medium for 24 hours following drug administration, cell proliferation, apoptotic DNA levels, caspase 3, 8, and 9 levels, and in-vitro wound healing experiments were performed. It was determined that mebendazole suppressed cell proliferation and cell healing, increased caspase-3, caspase-8, caspase-9 levels and apoptotic DNA formation in NCI-H209 cancer lung cells. Compared to the groups given mebendazole and vincristine alone, it was observed that cell proliferation was more suppressed and, the level of apoptosis increased in cancerous cells in the groups given the combination of the two drugs. According to the findings obtained from our study, we believe that mebendazole may possess therapeutic activity against cancerous lung cells (NCI-H209) due to its apoptosis-inducing and cell proliferation-suppressive effects.