Action of econazole on Ca2+ levels and cytotoxicity in OC2 human oral cancer cells

Background/purpose: Econazole is an antifungal drug. Antifungal activity of econazole against non-dermatophyte molds was reported. Econazole inhibited Ca2+ channels and stimulated cytotoxicity in lymphoma and leukemia cells. Ca2+ cations are crucial second envoy that triggers various processes. This research was aimed to investigate action of econazole on Ca2+ levels and cytotoxicity in OC2 human oral cancer cells. Materials and methods: Cytosolic Ca2+ levels ([Ca2+]i) were detected employing fura-2 as a probe in a RF-5301PC spectrofluorophotometer (Shimadzu). Cytotoxicity was determined using 4-[3-[4-lodophenyl]-2-4(4-nitrophenyl)-2H-5-tetrazolio-1,3-benzene disulfonate] (WST-1) to detect fluorescence changes. Results: Econazole at 10–50 μmol/L provoked [Ca2+]i raises. Forty % of 50 μml//L econazole-induced signal was diminished when external Ca2+ was eliminated. The Ca2+ influx provoked by econazole was suppressed by different degrees by store-induced Ca2+ influx suppressors SKF96365 and nifedipine; GF109203X (a protein C [PKC] inhibitor); an extracellular signaling pathway (ERK) 1/2 blocker PD98059, and phospholipase A2 suppressor aristolochic acid, but was enhanced by phorbol 12-myristate 13 acetate (PMA; a PKC activator) by 18%. Without external Ca2+, econazole-caused [Ca2+]i raises were abolished by thapsigargin. In contrast, econazole partially suppressed the [Ca2+]i raises caused by thapsigargin. U73122 fell short to change econazole-caused [Ca2+]i responses. Econazole (10–70 μmol/L) elicited cytotoxicity in a dose-dependent fashion. Blockade of 50 μmol/L econazole-induced [Ca2+] rises with BAPTA/AM enhanced econazole-induced cytotoxicity by 72%. Conclusion: Econazole evoked [Ca2+]i raises and provoked cytotoxicity in a concentration-dependent manner in OC2 human oral cancer cells. In Ca2+-containing solution, BAPTA/AM enhanced 50 μmol/L econozole-induced cytotoxicity.