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Ellagic acid promotes A549 cell apoptosis via regulating the phosphoinositide 3-kinase/protein kinase B pathway

Qiong Liu1, Xiaobing Liang1, Chengwei Niu1

  • 1Medical Experiment Center, Xinhua College of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510520, P.R. China.

Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine
|June 14, 2018
PubMed

Insights

Ellagic acid inhibits non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) A549 cell proliferation by arresting the cell cycle and inducing apoptosis. This occurs through the inhibition of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt signaling pathway.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remains a leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide.
  • Identifying novel therapeutic agents with targeted mechanisms is crucial for improving patient outcomes.
  • Ellagic acid, a natural polyphenol, has shown potential anti-cancer properties in various studies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the anti-cancer effects of ellagic acid on human NSCLC A549 cells.
  • To elucidate the underlying molecular mechanisms, focusing on cell cycle regulation, apoptosis, and the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.

Main Methods:

  • MTT assay to assess cell proliferation inhibition.
  • Flow cytometry for cell cycle analysis and apoptosis quantification (Annexin V/propidium iodide staining).
  • Western blotting to evaluate the expression of PI3K/Akt pathway proteins and apoptosis-associated markers.

Main Results:

  • Ellagic acid significantly inhibited the proliferation of A549 cells.
  • Treatment with ellagic acid led to G1 phase cell cycle arrest and increased apoptosis rates.
  • Ellagic acid reduced the phosphorylation of PI3K and Akt, and modulated apoptosis-related protein expression.

Conclusions:

  • Ellagic acid demonstrates potent anti-cancer activity against NSCLC A549 cells.
  • The mechanism involves suppression of cell proliferation, cell cycle arrest, and induction of apoptosis.
  • Inhibition of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway is a key mechanism underlying ellagic acid's anti-cancer effects in NSCLC.
Keywords:
A549 cellsapoptosisnon-small cell lung cancerphosphoinositide 3-kinase/protein kinase B

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