Prodigiosin hydrochloride, a red pigment, is a bioactive secondary metabolite produced by bacteria. It exhibits potent proapoptotic activity and functions as an inhibitor of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway. Additionally, this compound possesses antibacterial, antifungal, antiprotozoal, antimalarial, immunosuppressive, and anticancer properties.

Prodigiosin (25-500 nM; 24 hours) treatment reduces the viability of breast cancer cells, with IC 50 values at 48 h of 62.52 nM in MDA-MB-231 cells and 261.2 nM in MDA-MB-468 cells[1]. Prodigiosin (25-500 nM; 24 hours) treatment significantly reduces the levels of phosphorylated LRP6 and DVL2, active β-catenin, and total β-catenin. Prodigiosin noticeably inhibits the phosphorylation of GSK3β at Ser9 in HEK293T cells, which is indicative of an increase in GSK3β activity[1]. Prodigiosin can inhibit proliferation and induce apoptosis in breast cancer cells[1]. Prodigiosin (25-500 nM; 24 hours) treatment dose-dependently blocks Wnt signaling activated by Wnt1, Wnt3, Wnt1/LRP6, Wnt3/LRP6, and Dishevelled 2 (DVL2) in transfected HEK293T cells. Prodigiosin treatment inhibits Wnt3A-CM-induced transcription in a dose-dependent manner. Prodigiosin inhibits transcription of the SuperTopFlash reporter activated by either Wnt transfection or Wnt3A treatment[1]. When applied to cultures of chytrid fungi Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis and B. salamandrivorans , Prodigiosin causes significant growth inhibition, with MIC values of 10 μM and 50 μM, respectively[2]. Cell Proliferation Assay[1]Cell Line: MDA-MB-231 and MDA-MB-468 cells Concentration: 10 nM, 25 nM, 50 nM, 100 nM, 250 nM, 500 nM, 1000 nM, 2500 nM, 5000 nM Incubation Time: 24 hours, 48 hours Result: Reduced the viability of breast cancer cells, with IC50 values at 48 h of 62.52 nM in MDA-MB-231 cells and 261.2 nM in MDA-MB-468 cells. Western Blot Analysis[1]Cell Line: HEK293T cells Concentration: 50 nM, 100 nM, 250 nM, 500 nM Incubation Time: 24 hours Result: Significantly reduced the levels of phosphorylated LRP6 and DVL2, active β-catenin, and total β-catenin.

Prodigiosin (5 mg/kg; intraperitoneal injection; twice weekly; for 3 weeks) treatment significantly inhibits tumor growth. Prodigiosin treatment decreases tumor cell density and expression of the proliferation marker Ki-67[1]. Animal Model: Female BALB/c nude mice injected with MDA-MB-231 cells[1]Dosage: 5 mg/kg Administration: Intraperitoneal injection; twice weekly; for 3 weeks Result: Significantly inhibited tumor growth in mice.