Trans-Chalcone Attenuate Arsenic-Induced Toxicity in 3t3 Embryonic Fibroblast Cells; An In Vitro And In Silico Study

Abstract

This study investigated the curative role of trans-chalcone, a flanovide, against arsenic toxicity using in vitro and computer-based analyses. MTT and LDH methods were used to assess the cytotoxicity and viability of cells, spectrophotometric methods to evaluate SOD, GSH-px, MDA and PC biomarkers, and ELISA method to evaluate TNF-a IL-1(3 levels. Bax, Bcl-2 levels and Caspase-3 activity were measured by qRT-PCR technique, while TUNEL staining was performed to detect DNA breaks and DAPI staining was performed to visualize nuclear changes. In addition, computer-based analyses of trans-chalcone and Dimercaprol molecules were analyzed using SwissADME, ADMETlab, DFT web tools. Trans-chalcone treatment rescued 3T3 embryonic fibroblast cells, reduced oxidative stress. Again, trans-chalcone treatment showed positive effects on TNF-alpha, IL-1(3 levels and apoptotic markers. In conclusion, trans-chalcone showed antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic effects against cellular toxicity caused by arsenic, as well as DFT, ADMET, drug similarity, molecular docking profiles predicted trans-chalcone to be a promising ligand. This research, based on in vitro and in silico analyses, may be useful in the development of promising drug(s) to reduce toxicity.