Vinblastine sulfate

Vinblastine sulfate can inhibit the formation of microtubule, it also inhibit nAChR (IC50=8.9 uM) . (In Vitro) :Vinblastine does not depolymerize spindle microtubules, yet it powerfully blocks mitosis (for example, IC50 0.8 nM in HeLa cells) and cells die by apoptosis. In NB4 cells, vinblastine produces alteration of p53 and DNA fragmentation. Vinblastine treatment has an antiproliferative effect via the induction of apoptosis producing Bax/Bcl-2 imbalance. Vinblastine treatment suppresses NFκB expression and depresses NFκB-DNA binding activity while maintaining JNK activation that subsequently results in apoptotic response through caspase-dependent pathway. Vinblastine is found to trigger apoptosis as evidenced by the loss of mitochondrial membrane potential, the release of both cytochrome c and apoptosis inducing factor, activation of caspase-9 and 3, and cleavage of Poly (ADP-ribose) -Polymerase. (In Vivo) :Vinblastine is a widely used anticancer drug with undesired side effects. Its conjugation with carrier molecules could be an efficient strategy to reduce these side effects.