Evaluation of in vitro and in vivo anticancer potential of two 5-acetamido chalcones against breast cancer

Two 5'acetamido chalcones, C1 and C2 were synthesized by Claisen-Schmidt condensation method and characterized by IR, LC-MS, H NMR and C NMR. These compounds were evaluated for anticancer activity in breast cancer cell lines (MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231) using MTT assay, anti-metastatic assay, apoptotic screening by AO/EB staining and in N-Methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU) induced breast carcinoma model. Sprague-Dawley rats with developed tumors (50 mg/kg MNU ) were grouped in four, namely MNU control (0.25 % of CMC ), standard group (doxorubicin 2 mg/kg once in 4 days, ), C1 and C2 groups (50 mg/kg each). After 21 days of treatments, tumor volume and weight were assessed. Excised tumors were subjected to DNA fragmentation study. MTT assay showed IC values of 62.56 and 37.8 µM by for C1 and C2. Both compounds increased apoptotic bodies more than 3 fold compared to normal control in AO/EB staining. Antimetastatic (scratch wound) assay showed a significant (p