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Synergistic effects of tea polyphenols and ascorbic acid on human lung adenocarcinoma SPC-A-1 cells
Wei Li1, Jian-xiang Wu, You-ying Tu
1Department of Tea Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310029, China.
Abstract:
Tea polyphenols have been shown to have anticancer activity in many studies. In the present study, we investigated effects of theaflavin-3-3'-digallate (TF(3)), one of the major theaflavin monomers in black tea, in combination with ascorbic acid (AA), a reducing agent, and (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), the main polyphenol presented in green tea, in combination with AA on cellular viability and cell cycles of the human lung adenocarcinoma SPC-A-1 cells. The 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay showed that the 50% inhibition concentrations (IC(50)) of TF(3), EGCG, and AA on SPC-A-1 cells were 4.78, 4.90, and 30.62 micromol/L, respectively. The inhibitory rates of TF(3) combined with AA (TF(3)+AA) and EGCG combined with AA (EGCG+AA) at a molar ratio of 1:6 on SPC-A-1 cells were 54.4% and 45.5%, respectively. Flow cytometry analysis showed that TF(3)+AA and EGCG+AA obviously increased the cell population in the G(0)/G(1) phase of the SPC-A-1 cell cycle from 53.9% to 62.8% and 60.0%, respectively. TF(3)-treated cells exhibited 65.3% of the G(0)/G(1) phase at the concentration of its IC(50). Therefore, TF(3)+AA and EGCG+AA had synergistic inhibition effects on the proliferation of SPC-A-1 cells, and significantly held SPC-A-1 cells in G(0)/G(1) phase. The results suggest that the combination of TF(3) with AA or EGCG with AA enhances their anticancer activity.
Insights
Theaflavin-3-3'-digallate (TF(3)) and epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) from tea polyphenols, when combined with ascorbic acid (AA), show synergistic anticancer effects. These combinations significantly inhibit lung adenocarcinoma cell proliferation by halting them in the G(0)/G(1) phase.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Cell Biology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Tea polyphenols, including theaflavin-3-3'-digallate (TF(3)) from black tea and epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) from green tea, exhibit anticancer properties.
- Ascorbic acid (AA) is a known reducing agent with potential biological activities.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the combined effects of TF(3) with AA and EGCG with AA on the viability and cell cycle of human lung adenocarcinoma SPC-A-1 cells.
- To determine if these combinations enhance the anticancer activity of TF(3) and EGCG.
Main Methods:
- The 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay was used to determine the 50% inhibition concentrations (IC(50)) of TF(3), EGCG, and AA.
- Combinations of TF(3)+AA and EGCG+AA at a 1:6 molar ratio were tested for their inhibitory rates.
- Flow cytometry was employed to analyze the cell cycle distribution of SPC-A-1 cells treated with the combinations.
Main Results:
- The IC(50) values for TF(3), EGCG, and AA on SPC-A-1 cells were 4.78, 4.90, and 30.62 micromol/L, respectively.
- TF(3)+AA and EGCG+AA demonstrated inhibitory rates of 54.4% and 45.5%, respectively.
- Both TF(3)+AA and EGCG+AA significantly increased the G(0)/G(1) phase cell population from 53.9% to 62.8% and 60.0%, respectively, indicating cell cycle arrest.
Conclusions:
- TF(3)+AA and EGCG+AA exhibit synergistic anticancer effects on human lung adenocarcinoma SPC-A-1 cells.
- These combinations effectively induce cell cycle arrest in the G(0)/G(1) phase.
- Combining TF(3) or EGCG with AA enhances their anticancer efficacy, suggesting a potential therapeutic strategy.