Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM) are tumours arising from astrocytes, which are transformed, and the supportive cells of neurons. These tumours are highly malignant due to high proliferation capacity and angiogenesis. One of the reason for cancer cell survival is the activation of oncogenes, cancerous proteins, high expression of cancer proteins and enzymes such as kinases. Therefore, it is essential to study the effect of inhibition of various proteins, enzymes and their expression levels in cell lines. β-galactosidase and acid phosphatase are lysosomal hydrolytic enzymes which when expressed in abnormal levels have major impact in cancer progression. Higher expression of β-galactosidase has been reported in glioblastoma tissue, which promotes the degradation of glycol-conjugates present in the ECM and promotes tumor infiltration and metastasis. Signalling pathways such as MAPK/ERK, PI3K are the kinases, which phosphorylate cancer proteins and activates certain transcription factors required for cancer activation. Therefore, it is necessary to dephosphorylate cancerous protein where the phosphatases play a very important role in the inhibition of cancer. It was aimed to study the effect of chemical modulator (Lithium) and indigenous modulator (Curcuma longa extract) on β-galactosidase and Acid Phosphatase in LN229 cell lines. Total protein content (Lowry’s assay) significantly reduced with an increase in concentration of both the modulators (Li-1µM,2µM,5µM,10µM), Curcuminoid-2.5ppm,5ppm,10ppm,25ppm) both in cell line and spent media. β-galactosidase content and specific activity in cells were found to be downregulated in cells and upregulated in spent media. However, acid phosphatase concentration and specific activity was increased with an increase in the concentration of both the modulators in the cells and was found to decrease in spent media. Hence, it was concluded that both the modulators Lithium and Turmeric extract were positive for acid phosphatase and negative for β-galactosidase dealing with lysosomal activity and failure of membrane permeability. These results pave way for its use as conjugates with anti-cancer drugs.

Keywords: Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM) cell lines LN229, Acid Phosphatase, β-Galactosidase, Lithium, Turmeric, Spent media