Acetylation may strengthen the antitumor activity of low molecular heparin

Background To synthesize acetylated low anticoagulant low molecular weight heparin (ALMWH) and to detect its antineoplastic activity. Methods We obtained Low anticoagulant low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) by splitting unfractionated heparin (UFH) with sodium periodate oxidation and sodium borohydride reduction, then the LMWH was subjected to acetylate catalyzed by dicyclohexylcarbodiimide and dimethylaminopyridine to produce ALMWH. The anti-proliferative activities were determined on MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cells in vitro. Results ALMWH exhibited stranger anti-proliferative activity Compared with LMWH, In the MDA-MB-231 cell line, the growth of MDA-MB-231 cells with IC50 of 22.16 µM at 48 h in a concentration-dependent and time-dependent manner, ALMWH produced stronger inhibitory effects especially when it was used in low concentrations. By the use of bulky catalysts, the acetylation site in the molecular chain of low molecular weight heparin with a high selectivity, the synthesis process of Low anticoagulant low molecular weight heparin can be easily controlled. Therefore, large scale industrial production can be carried out. Conclusions The synthesized ALMWH possesses a high anti-proliferative activity, Chemical modification of structure can endow LMWH with a high antiproliferative activities. ALMWH is expected to enter clinical trials due to its high druggability. Simultaneously, this study provides a basic method for screening of antineoplastic drug with low toxicity.