Evaluation of the Cytotoxic Effect of the Epoxyconazole and Difenoconazole on Human Colorectal Cancer HCT116 Cell Line

Abstract

Since the anticancer role of itraconazole has been approved, interest in other triazole members has been increased. In this study, we try to investigate the anticancer effect of two triazole members, difenoconazole (DIF) and epoxyconazole (EPO) on the HCT116 human colorectal cancer cell line and compare their effect with the standard anticancer agent: methotrexate (MTX) by MTT cytotoxicity assay. Aim: To assess the cytotoxic effect of epoxyconazole and difenoconazole on human colorectal cancer HCT116 cell line. Results: The DIF, EPO, and MTX in all concentrations resulted in highly significant (p is less than 0.001) growth rate inhibition in the HCT-116 and Vero cells compared to the dose-dependent negative control group. All concentrations of DIF and EPO (except the concentration of 1000 μg/mL of EPO) show significant (p is less than 0.01) higher growth rate inhibition in the vero cell line in comparison to the HCT 116 cell line. The MTX group in all concentrations showed highly significant inhibition in the growth percentage of the HCT116cell line in comparison to the vero cell line except for the concentration of 1000 μg/ml in which no significant (p > 0.05) difference was seen between cell lines. Conclusions: EPO and DIF are ineffective as anticancer drugs; EPO and DIF are toxic to the normal cells and nonselective in their action toward cancer cells.