Investigation of anticancer and apoptotic effects of water-soluble zinc phthalocyanine carrying a morpholine group on human breast cancer cell line (MCF-7)

Breast cancer is one of the most common malignant tumors in women, developing under the influence of genetic and environmental factors. Genetic mutations, hormonal imbalances, environmental toxins, and lifestyle-related elements contribute to alterations in somatic cells, leading to tumor formation. Phthalocyanine derivatives exhibit anticancer properties capable of inducing apoptosis by influencing cellular oxidative stress pathways. Zinc phthalocyanines, as photosensitizers, are considered potential agents in photodynamic therapy (PDT), a cancer treatment modality. In this study, the cytotoxic and apoptotic effects of a zinc phthalocyanine compound bearing morpholine groups were investigated on the human breast cancer cell line MCF-7. The EC25 and EC50 doses of the zinc phthalocyanine compound applied to MCF-7 cells were determined as 1.41 mg/mL and 5.47 mg/mL, respectively. Following treatment with these concentrations, RNA isolation was performed, and mRNA expression levels of BAX, P53, CASP3, and BCL-2 genes were analyzed using qRT-PCR. At the dose of 1.41 mg/mL, the morpholine-containing zinc phthalocyanine compound did not cause a marked change in the mRNA levels of BAX, P53, and CASP3; however, at the 5.47 mg/mL dose, increases of 3.11-fold in BAX, 6.84-fold in P53, and 4.61-fold in CASP3 were observed. In contrast, BCL-2 gene expression decreased by 4.59-fold at 1.41 mg/mL and by 8.83-fold at 5.47 mg/mL. For apoptosis determination, the EC25 and EC50 doses of the morpholine-bound zinc phthalocyanine compound were applied to cells seeded in six-well plates, and the apoptotic process was evaluated using the Annexin V-FITC Apoptosis Assay Kit. Cells treated with the EC25 dose were observed to be 92% viable and 6% apoptotic, while at the EC50 dose, 81% viability and 18% apoptosis were recorded. According to our results, the morpholine-bound zinc phthalocyanine compound exhibits mild to moderate cytotoxic and apoptotic effects on MCF-7 cells, suggesting its potential as a therapeutic agent in cancer treatment. Further investigations using animal models may provide more comprehensive insights into the anticancer and apoptotic effects of zinc-substituted phthalocyanine.