Novel Synthetic Mono-triazole Glycosides Induce G0/G1 Cell-cycle Arrest and Apoptosis in Cholangiocarcinoma Cells

Background/aim: The treatment of cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is still ineffective and the search for a novel treatment is needed. In this study, eight novel mono-triazole glycosides (W1-W8) were synthesized and tested for their anticancer activities in CCA cell lines.

Materials and methods: The anti-proliferation effect and the underlying mechanisms of the triazole glycosides were explored. Viable cells were determined using the MTT test.

Results: Among glycosides tested, W4 and W5 exhibited the most potent anticancer activity in a dose- and time-dependent fashion. Flow cytometry and wstern blot analysis revealed that W4 and W5 induced G₀/G₁ phase cell-cycle arrest through down-regulation of cyclin D1, cyclin E and induction of cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors, p27 and p21 protein expression. Annexin V/propidium iodide (PI) staining demonstrated that W4 and W5 also induced apoptotic cells in a dose-dependent manner via caspase signaling cascade.

Conclusion: Together, these findings imply that the novel synthetic glycosides might be a promising anticancer agent for CCA.