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Updated: Feb 23, 2026
An In Vitro Approach to Photodynamic Therapy
Published on: August 17, 2018
Diosmin reduces cell viability of A431 skin cancer cells through apoptotic induction
Rajamanickam Buddhan1, Shanmugam Manoharan1
1Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Annamalai University, Chidambaram, Tamil Nadu, India.
Objectives:
Aim of the present study was to evaluate the in vitro cytotoxic potential of the diosmin in A431 skin cancer cells.
Materials And Methods:
The cytotoxic (anti-cell proliferative) potential of diosmin in A431 cells was assessed using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay (cell viability), dual staining (apoptotic induction), dichloro-dihydro-fluorescein diacetate assay (reactive oxygen species [ROS] generation), DNA fragmentation study, Western blotting analysis (apoptotic markers expression) and flow cytometry (cell cycle arrest).
Results:
Diosmin reduced the cell viability of A431 cells in a dose-dependent fashion and the inhibitory concentration 50% value was attained at 45 μg/ml using MTT assay. Diosmin at a concentration of 45 μg/ml generated excessive ROS in A431 cells, as compared to untreated cells. Diosmin treated A431 cells also revealed multiple DNA fragments than the untreated cells. Diosmin upregulated the expression of p53, caspases 3 and 9 and downregulated the expression of Bcl-2, matrix metalloproteinases-2 and 9 in A431 cells.
Conclusion:
The cytotoxic or anti-cell proliferative potential of diosmin is due to its ROS-mediated apoptotic induction potential, as well as due to its role in the inhibition of invasion in the A431 cells.
Insights
Diosmin exhibits cytotoxic effects on A431 skin cancer cells by inducing apoptosis through reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and inhibiting invasion.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Pharmacology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Skin cancer, particularly A431 cell lines, presents a significant therapeutic challenge.
- Natural compounds are increasingly investigated for their anti-cancer properties.
- Diosmin, a flavonoid, has shown potential biological activities.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the in vitro cytotoxic potential of diosmin against A431 skin cancer cells.
- To elucidate the mechanisms underlying diosmin's anti-cancer effects.
Main Methods:
- Cytotoxicity was assessed using MTT assay for cell viability.
- Apoptosis induction was evaluated via dual staining and DNA fragmentation assays.
- Reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation was measured using the dichloro-dihydro-fluorescein diacetate assay.
- Western blotting analyzed apoptotic markers (p53, caspases 3 and 9, Bcl-2) and invasion-related proteins (MMPs-2 and 9).
- Cell cycle arrest was determined by flow cytometry.
Main Results:
- Diosmin demonstrated dose-dependent cytotoxicity against A431 cells, with an IC50 of 45 μg/ml.
- Diosmin induced significant ROS generation and DNA fragmentation in A431 cells.
- Upregulation of pro-apoptotic markers (p53, caspases 3 and 9) and downregulation of anti-apoptotic (Bcl-2) and invasion markers (MMPs-2 and 9) were observed.
- Flow cytometry indicated cell cycle arrest.
Conclusions:
- Diosmin exhibits significant in vitro cytotoxic effects on A431 skin cancer cells.
- The anti-cancer mechanism involves ROS-mediated apoptosis induction.
- Diosmin also plays a role in inhibiting cancer cell invasion.
