Effect of indirubin‐3‐monoxime against lung cancer as evaluated by histological and transmission electron microscopic studies

The aim of this study is to evaluate the antitumor effect of indirubin‐3‐monoxime and its mode of action in benzo(α)pyrene [B(α)P] induced lung cancer in A/J mice. Light microscopic examination of lung sections of [B(α)P] induced lung cancer mice revealed the presence of adenocarcinoma characterized by extensive proliferation of alveolar epithelium and loss of alveolar spaces. The control lung tissue showed a normal architecture with clear alveolar spaces. Interestingly the indirubin‐3‐monoxime treated groups showed the reduced adenocarcinoma with appearance of alveolar spaces. Transmission Electron Microscopic (TEM) studies of lung sections of [B(α)P] induced lung cancer mice showed the presence of phaemorphic cells with dense granules and increased mitochondria. The lung sections of mice treated with indirubin‐3‐monoxime showed the presence of shrunken, fragmented, and condensed nuclei implying apoptosis. The effects were dose dependent and prominent in 10 mg/kg/5 d/week groups suggesting the therapeutic role of indirubin analogue against this deadly human malignancy. Here, our results indicate that indirubin‐3‐monoxime brings antitumor effect against [B(α)P] induced lung cancer by its apoptotic action in A/J mice. Microsc. Res. Tech. 73:1053–1058, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.