In this section
@article{Alsharif:2026:10.1016/j.ejphar.2026.179506,
author = {Alsharif, A and Chang, E and Wang, Y and Ariarasa, O and Shum, K and Chen, Q and Zhao, H and Ying, L and Ma, D},
doi = {10.1016/j.ejphar.2026.179506},
journal = {Eur J Pharmacol},
title = {A Novel Sedative Remimazolam Besylate Inhibits Human Lung Cancer Growth in vitro and in vivo.},
url = {http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ejphar.2026.179506},
year = {2026}
}
TY - JOUR
AB - BACKGROUND: Anaesthetic drugs used during the perioperative period may influence surgical outcomes in cancer patients. Recently, remimazolam besylate, a rapid-onset and ultra-short-acting sedative, has been introduced for sedation and anaesthesia maintenance. This study aimed to assess its potential anti-cancer effects on human lung carcinoma cells (A549) in vitro and in vivo, and to explore the underlying mechanisms. METHODS: Cultured A549 lung cancer cells were exposed to remimazolam besylate (0.1 to 500 μM) for up to 24 hours and their viability was assessed with the CCK-8 assay. The effects of remimazolam besylate on cancer cell proliferation, migration, mitochondrial mass, and apoptosis were assessed through RNA sequencing and immunofluorescence staining. Tumour growth was evaluated in a xenograft model of Balb/c nude mice after treatment with 5 mg/kg of remimazolam besylate via intraperitoneal injection for 21 consecutive days. Its cytotoxicity was also assessed with cultured HK-2 normal kidney cells. RESULTS: Remimazolam besylate significantly inhibited cell viability at 200 μM (61.2 ± 12.7 vs 103.8 ± 6.0, P = 0.003) and 300 μM (46 ± 10 vs 95 ± 21, P = 0.02). It suppressed migration (56.38 ± 3.06 vs 85.10 ± 10.84, P = 0.03) and reduced mitochondrial mass (63.5 ± 24.9 vs 150.5 ± 55.9, P = 0.02). Additionally, it increased caspase-3 and cleaved caspase-9 expression, and reduced tumour size by 74.6% compared to the control (P = 0.002). The 50% concentration of cytotoxicity (IC50) for remimazolam besylate in A549 cells was found to be 297.5 μM, whereas the IC50 for HK-2 cells was predicted to be significantly higher at 2,200 μM. CONCLUSION: Remimazolam besylate primarily and preferentially inhibits human lung carcinoma cells. It induces apoptosis associated with endoplasmic reticulum stress and cell death signaling pathways.
AU - Alsharif,A
AU - Chang,E
AU - Wang,Y
AU - Ariarasa,O
AU - Shum,K
AU - Chen,Q
AU - Zhao,H
AU - Ying,L
AU - Ma,D
DO - 10.1016/j.ejphar.2026.179506
PY - 2026///
TI - A Novel Sedative Remimazolam Besylate Inhibits Human Lung Cancer Growth in vitro and in vivo.
T2 - Eur J Pharmacol
UR - http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ejphar.2026.179506
UR - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/42988246
ER -