Cytotoxic effect of cryptopleurine and its interaction with cisplatin in A549 lung cancer cells

In this study, the effect of the plant alkaloid cryptopleurine (CRP) on the cytotoxic activity of cisplatin (CDDP) in non-small cell lung carcinoma A549 cells was investigated. Cells were treated with various concentrations of CRP and CDDP, either individually or in combination. Cell viability was assessed using the MTT assay, and drug interactions were evaluated employing the Chou-Talalay method. The results did not demonstrate a synergistic interaction between CDDP and CRP, instead, the combination exhibited an antagonistic effect in vitro. Further analyses using flow cytometry and fluorescence microscopy revealed no significant induction of apoptosis following combined treatment. Most cells remained viable and only a minimal increase in necrosis was observed. While morphological alterations and reduced cell proliferation were detected, these effects did not correspond to classical apoptotic features, suggesting the involvement of alternative non-apoptotic mechanisms.

These findings indicate that CRP does not enhance CDDP cytotoxicity and should not be considered a chemosensitizer of CDDP. Rather, CRP may be more appropriately evaluated as an independent or alternative approach under the tested conditions.