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Apigenin induces autophagic cell death in human papillary thyroid carcinoma BCPAP cells

Li Zhang1, Xian Cheng, Yanyan Gao

  • 1Key Laboratory of Nuclear Medicine, Ministry of Health, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Nuclear Medicine, Jiangsu Institute of Nuclear Medicine, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214063, China. yuhuixin@jsinm.org.

Food & Function
|August 22, 2015
PubMed

Insights

Apigenin, a natural compound, effectively reduces papillary thyroid cancer cell viability. It triggers cell death through DNA damage, cell cycle arrest, and autophagy, suggesting its potential as a cancer therapeutic.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Natural Product Chemistry

Background:

  • Apigenin is a flavonoid found in fruits and vegetables.
  • It possesses known anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anticancer properties.
  • Papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) is a significant health concern.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the anti-neoplastic effects of apigenin on the BCPAP papillary thyroid cancer cell line.
  • To elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying apigenin's action on these cancer cells.

Main Methods:

  • Cell viability assays were performed on BCPAP cells treated with apigenin.
  • Autophagy was assessed by monitoring Beclin-1, LC3 protein conversion, p62 degradation, and acidic vesicular organelles (AVOs).
  • Reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, DNA damage (TUNEL assay), and cell cycle progression (Cdc25C expression) were analyzed.

Main Results:

  • Apigenin inhibited BCPAP cell viability in a dose-dependent manner.
  • Apigenin induced autophagy, evidenced by molecular markers and increased AVOs.
  • Autophagy inhibition by 3-MA rescued cells from apigenin-induced death.
  • Apigenin increased ROS production, caused DNA damage, and induced G2/M cell cycle arrest via Cdc25C down-regulation.

Conclusions:

  • Apigenin exhibits anti-neoplastic effects against papillary thyroid cancer cells.
  • Apigenin-induced cell death involves ROS production, DNA damage, G2/M cell cycle arrest, and subsequent autophagic cell death.
  • Apigenin shows promise as a potential chemotherapeutic agent for papillary thyroid cancer.

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