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Artepillin C as a targeting survivin molecule in oral squamous cell carcinoma cells in vitro: A preliminary study
Seokjoon Pang1, Michael Yee2, Yasmin Saba2
1International Dental Studies Program, Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry, University of the Pacific, San Francisco, CA, USA.
Background:
Survivin, a member of the inhibitor of apoptosis family, is overexpressed in most human tumors, but undetectable in normal adult tissues. It is a promising target molecule in cancer treatment, as interference in its function promotes apoptosis. Artepillin C, a major, biologically active ingredient of Brazilian propolis, possesses anticancer activity against several cancer cells with different tissue origins. However, little is known about its bioactivity on oral squamous cell carcinoma cells or its effect on survivin expression. The aim of this study was to investigate the cytotoxic and antisurvivin activities of artepillin C in oral squamous cell carcinoma cells.
Methods:
HSC-3 human oral squamous cell carcinoma cells were treated with varying doses of artepillin C for up to 72 hours. Cell viability was measured by WST-1, and the cytotoxic effects of artepillin C on HSC-3 cells were quantified with flow cytometry. The survivin levels were determined by ELISA.
Results:
Artepillin C exhibited dose- and time-dependent cytotoxic effects on HSC-3 cells. Flow cytometric analysis showed that 22% of untreated HSC-3 cells underwent spontaneous cell death, whereas 77.32% of the cells were killed in response to the highest dose of artepillin C at 72 hours. Survivin expression was reduced in treated cells.
Conclusions:
HSC-3 cells are vulnerable to artepillin C in a dose- and time-dependent manner. HSC-3 cell death induced by artepillin C, at least in part, was a result of a decrease in survivin levels.
Insights
Artepillin C from Brazilian propolis effectively kills oral cancer cells by reducing survivin protein levels. This natural compound shows promise for targeting oral squamous cell carcinoma.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Natural Products Chemistry
Background:
- Survivin, an apoptosis inhibitor, is highly expressed in human tumors and is a key target for cancer therapy.
- Artepillin C, a component of Brazilian propolis, exhibits anticancer properties against various cancer types.
- The specific effects of Artepillin C on oral squamous cell carcinoma and its impact on survivin expression remain largely unexplored.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the cytotoxic activity of Artepillin C against human oral squamous cell carcinoma (HSC-3) cells.
- To investigate the effect of Artepillin C on survivin expression in HSC-3 cells.
Main Methods:
- HSC-3 cells were exposed to varying concentrations of Artepillin C for up to 72 hours.
- Cell viability was assessed using WST-1 assay.
- Cytotoxicity was quantified by flow cytometry, and survivin levels were measured by ELISA.
Main Results:
- Artepillin C demonstrated dose- and time-dependent cytotoxicity against HSC-3 cells.
- The highest dose of Artepillin C at 72 hours resulted in 77.32% cell death, compared to 22% spontaneous cell death in untreated cells.
- Survivin expression was significantly reduced in Artepillin C-treated HSC-3 cells.
Conclusions:
- HSC-3 cells are susceptible to Artepillin C-induced cell death in a dose- and time-dependent manner.
- The observed cell death is, at least partially, attributed to the downregulation of survivin by Artepillin C.
- Artepillin C presents a potential therapeutic agent for oral squamous cell carcinoma by targeting survivin.
