Sildenafil Induces Cell Cycle Arrest and Apoptosis in Human Colorectal Cancer HT-29 Cells

Phosphodiesterase is an enzyme that degrades the phosphodiester bond in second messenger molecules cAMP and cGMP, regulates localization, duration, amplitude of cyclic nucleotide signaling within subcellular domains. Sildenafil a potent selective inhibitor type 5 cGMP-specific phosphodiesterase used clinically to treat erectile dysfunction pulmonary arterial hypertension. In this study, we examined effect sildenafil on human colorectal cancer HT-29 cells. Our data showed induced cell cycle arrest apoptosis, cotreatment with ROS scavenger N-acetyl-L-cysteine partially reversed apoptosis caused by Overall, our study suggests appears be promising new treatment option for cancer.