Oxidative Stress Mediates Anti-proliferative Effects of Nifedipine on AGS Cells

Previous studies have demonstrated the anticancer properties of certain calcium channel blockers when administered as sole agents. This exploration aimed to explore the potential anti-proliferative activity of nifedipine on AGS gastric cancer cells and to determine the contribution of oxidative stress in mediating this response. To assess the anti-proliferative impact of nifedipine, AGS cell viability was calculated employing the XTT assay across a concentration range of 25, 50, 100, 200, and 500 µg/mL. Concurrently, TAS and TOS kits were employed to evaluate the drug's influence on oxidative stress levels. Nifedipine exhibited a concentration-dependent cytotoxic effect on AGS cells, with a statistically significant reduction in cell viability. The IC50 value for AGS cells after 24 hours was determined to be 98.49 µg/mL. At this concentration, a substantial augmentation in TOS and a concurrent diminution in TAS levels were observed relative to the control group. These observations imply that nifedipine-induced oxidative stress is one of the mechanisms underlying its cytotoxic action against gastric cancer cells. Our results highlight the potential therapeutic utility of nifedipine in this cancer type.