Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 13, 2026

Network Pharmacology Prediction and Experimental Validation of Trichosanthes-Fritillaria thunbergii Action Mechanism Against Lung Adenocarcinoma
Published on: March 3, 2023
[Effects of trichostatin A on human lung cancer cell strains A549]
Dong Zhang1, Chang-ting Liu, Xiao-dan Yu
1Nanlou Respiratory Diseases Department, PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100853, China.
Objective:
To explore the effect of trichostatin A (TSA) on human lung cancer cell strains A549.
Methods:
A549 cells were exposed to TSA at different concentrations, then the growth-inhibiting effects of the cell line were detected with 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay; After the cells were exposed to TSA for 48 and 96 hours at 300 nmol/L, the change of the cell cycle and apoptosis of A549 were analyzed with flow cytometry. p21 protein and extracellular signal regulated kinase (ERK) expression were detected by Western blot.
Results:
TSA inhibited the growth of A549 cells in time- and concentration-dependent manners. The proportion of apoptosis, G0/G1 and G2/M phase increased in accordance with raising of the TSA concentration. The expression of p21 protein was significantly up-regulated and the expression of phosphorylation ERK was significantly down-regulated after A549 cells were treated with TSA.
Conclusions:
Histone deacetylase inhibitor TSA can inhibit the proliferation of human lung cancer cell strains A549 and induce the cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in the A549 cells. This may be related to up-regulation of p21 protein expression and the down-regulation of phosphorylation ERK.
Insights
Trichostatin A (TSA), a histone deacetylase inhibitor, effectively inhibits human lung cancer A549 cell proliferation. TSA induces cell cycle arrest and apoptosis, potentially by upregulating p21 protein and downregulating phosphorylated ERK.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Cancer Research
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Lung cancer remains a leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide.
- Understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying lung cancer proliferation is crucial for developing targeted therapies.
- Histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors are emerging as a promising class of anti-cancer agents.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of trichostatin A (TSA) on the human lung cancer cell line A549.
- To determine TSA's impact on cell proliferation, cell cycle progression, and apoptosis.
- To explore the molecular mechanisms, including p21 protein and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) pathways, involved in TSA's action.
Main Methods:
- A549 cells were treated with varying concentrations of TSA.
- Cell viability and growth inhibition were assessed using the MTT assay.
- Cell cycle distribution and apoptosis rates were analyzed by flow cytometry.
- Western blotting was employed to detect changes in p21 protein and phosphorylated ERK expression.
Main Results:
- TSA demonstrated a time- and concentration-dependent inhibition of A549 cell growth.
- Treatment with TSA led to an increased proportion of cells in the G0/G1 and G2/M phases of the cell cycle.
- TSA treatment significantly increased the rate of apoptosis in A549 cells.
- A notable upregulation of p21 protein expression and a significant downregulation of phosphorylated ERK were observed.
Conclusions:
- Trichostatin A (TSA), a histone deacetylase inhibitor, effectively inhibits the proliferation of human lung cancer A549 cells.
- TSA induces cell cycle arrest and promotes apoptosis in A549 cells.
- These effects are potentially mediated by the upregulation of p21 protein and the downregulation of phosphorylated ERK.

