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[Non-apoptotic programmed cell death induced by extract of Spatholobus suberctus in human lung cancer A549 cells]
1Beijing Hospital of Chinese Medicine alias Capital University of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100010, China.
Objective:
The goal of study is to explore the cytotoxic activity and its underlying mechanisms of the extract of Spatholobus suberctus in human lung cancer A549 cells.
Method:
The inhibitory effects of the extract on proliferation of human lung cancer cell line A549 was measured by MTT cell viability assay and growth curve. Cell cycle was analyzed using flow cytometry. Apoptotic morphological changes was observed by HE staining technique and AO/PI double-staining confocal laser scanning microscope (CLSM). Employing agarose gel electrophoresis and Annexin V-PI assay, we examed the presence of cytoplasmic histone-associated DNA fragments, and membrane phosphatidylserine (PS) externalization as well as caspase-3 activation.
Result:
The extract of S. suberctus shows strong cytotoxic power on A549 cells during 24 hours and IC50 is 25.54 mg x L(-1). The cells in S-phase increase while the cells in G0-G1 and G2-M decrease. These changes recovered after 48 hours. The nucleus became pyknosis between 8 to 12 hours and many vacuoles and granules in cytoplasm can be seen. Membrane phosphatidylserine externalization occurs in a dose-dependent and time-dependent manner afer 12 hours. Caspase-3 activity has no more changes in a converse dose-dependent manner. No cytoplasmic histone-associated DNA fragments was detected by agarose gel electrophoresis.
Conclusion:
The extract of S. suberctus shows a direct anti-tumor activity. The drug acts quickly and causes S delay in one cell cycle. The main cell death feature appears to be non-apoptotic programmed cell death.
Insights
The Spatholobus suberctus extract exhibits potent cytotoxic effects against human lung cancer A549 cells, inducing S-phase delay and non-apoptotic programmed cell death. This natural compound demonstrates direct anti-tumor activity.
Area of Science:
- Phytochemistry
- Cancer Biology
- Cellular Mechanisms
Context:
- Lung cancer remains a leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide.
- Natural products are increasingly investigated for their therapeutic potential against various cancers.
- Spatholobus suberctus is a traditional medicinal plant with potential anti-cancer properties.
Purpose:
- To investigate the cytotoxic activity of Spatholobus suberctus extract on human lung cancer A549 cells.
- To elucidate the underlying mechanisms of cell death induced by the extract.
- To evaluate the impact of the extract on cell cycle progression and apoptosis.
Summary:
- Spatholobus suberctus extract demonstrated significant cytotoxic effects on A549 cells with an IC50 of 25.54 mg/L within 24 hours.
- The extract induced an increase in S-phase cells and a decrease in G0-G1 and G2-M phases, indicating an S-phase delay.
- Cell death was characterized by nuclear pyknosis, cytoplasmic vacuolization, and phosphatidylserine externalization, but lacked detectable DNA fragmentation or significant caspase-3 activation, suggesting non-apoptotic programmed cell death.
Impact:
- The findings support the direct anti-tumor activity of Spatholobus suberctus extract.
- This research provides mechanistic insights into the anti-cancer effects of the plant extract.
- The study highlights the potential of Spatholobus suberctus as a source for novel lung cancer therapeutics.
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