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Updated: Aug 8, 2026
An Orthotopic Bladder Cancer Model for Gene Delivery Studies
Published on: December 1, 2013
Growth inhibitory effects of quercetin on bladder cancer cell
Li Ma1, Jean Magloire Feugang, Patricia Konarski
1The Second Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, China.
Abstract:
Quercetin, a flavonoid found in many fruits and vegetables, belongs to an extensive class of polyphenolic compounds. Previous studies reported that quercetin inhibits the proliferation of various cancer cells and tumor growth in animal models. We investigated the growth inhibition and colony formation of quercetin on three bladder cancer cells (EJ, J82 and T24). The expression of tumor suppressor genes and oncogenes such as P53, Survivin, PTEN, as well as the methylation status of these genes was also evaluated. We observed that quercetin induced apoptosis in bladder cancer cells in a time- and dose-dependent manner. Quercetin (100 micromolars) significantly inhibited EJ, T24 and J82 cell growth accompanied by an increase in the G0/G1 phase. In all cell lines, quercetin decreased the expression of mutant P53 and Survivin proteins. However, there was no change in the level of PTEN protein. Moreover, the DNA methylation levels of the estrogen receptor (Er-beta), P16INK4a and RASSF1A were strongly decreased (from 35 to 70%) in the quercetin-treated group compared to the control. In conclusion, our study suggested that quercetin inhibits growth, colony formation and hypermethylation of bladder cancer cell lines. Quercetin-induced apoptosis might be associated with a decrease in mutant P53 and Survivin proteins.
Insights
Quercetin, a plant flavonoid, inhibits bladder cancer cell growth and colony formation. It induces apoptosis by decreasing mutant P53 and Survivin protein expression and reducing gene hypermethylation.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Quercetin is a flavonoid found in fruits and vegetables with reported anti-cancer properties.
- Previous studies suggest quercetin inhibits cancer cell proliferation and tumor growth in animal models.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of quercetin on bladder cancer cell growth, colony formation, and gene expression.
- To evaluate quercetin's impact on apoptosis and DNA methylation in bladder cancer cells.
Main Methods:
- Exposure of EJ, J82, and T24 bladder cancer cell lines to quercetin.
- Assessment of cell growth inhibition, colony formation, apoptosis, and cell cycle phase distribution (G0/G1).
- Evaluation of tumor suppressor gene (P53, PTEN) and oncogene (Survivin) expression and DNA methylation status.
Main Results:
- Quercetin demonstrated time- and dose-dependent apoptosis induction in bladder cancer cells.
- Significant inhibition of EJ, T24, and J82 cell growth was observed at 100 micromolars quercetin, with increased G0/G1 phase.
- Quercetin decreased mutant P53 and Survivin protein expression but did not alter PTEN levels.
- A significant decrease in DNA methylation (35-70%) was noted for estrogen receptor beta (Er-beta), P16INK4a, and RASSF1A.
Conclusions:
- Quercetin effectively inhibits the growth and colony formation of bladder cancer cell lines.
- Quercetin-induced apoptosis is potentially linked to reduced expression of mutant P53 and Survivin.
- Quercetin treatment leads to decreased hypermethylation of specific genes in bladder cancer cells.
