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The caspase 3-dependent apoptotic effect of pycnogenol in human oral squamous cell carcinoma HSC-3 cells

In-Hyoung Yang1, Ji-Ae Shin1, Lee-Han Kim1

  • 1Department of Oral Pathology, School of Dentistry, and Institute of Oral Bioscience, Chonbuk National University, Jeonju 561-756, Korea.

Journal of Clinical Biochemistry and Nutrition
|January 23, 2016
PubMed

Insights

Pycnogenol effectively combats oral cancer by inducing apoptosis in cancer cells. This natural compound shows promise for future chemoprevention and chemotherapy strategies against oral squamous cell carcinoma.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is a significant global health concern.
  • Identifying novel therapeutic agents for OSCC chemoprevention and chemotherapy is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the apoptotic effects of Pycnogenol on human oral cancer cells (HSC-3).
  • To elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying Pycnogenol's anti-cancer activity.

Main Methods:

  • Cell viability assays were performed on HSC-3 cells treated with Pycnogenol.
  • Apoptosis markers, including cleaved poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase and caspase 3, were analyzed.
  • Protein levels of Bcl-2 family members and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production were assessed.

Main Results:

  • Pycnogenol significantly inhibited HSC-3 cell viability and neoplastic cell transformation.
  • Pycnogenol induced caspase-dependent apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner.
  • Pycnogenol increased Bak protein stability and induced ROS generation, which was partially blocked by N-acetyl-l-cysteine.

Conclusions:

  • Pycnogenol demonstrates potent anti-cancer properties against human oral squamous cell carcinoma cells.
  • The mechanism involves caspase-dependent apoptosis, modulation of Bak protein, and ROS production.
  • Pycnogenol holds potential as a therapeutic agent for oral cancer chemoprevention or chemotherapy.
Keywords:
BakROSapoptosisoral cancerpycnogenol

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