Cardamonin as a potential treatment for melanoma induces human melanoma cell apoptosis

2',4'-dihydroxy-6'-methoxychalcone (cardamonin) is a natural compound with anti-proliferative effects on several cancer types including nasopharyngeal carcinoma. The effects of cardamonin on melanoma cells are unknown. The present study investigated the anti-proliferative effect of cardamonin on human melanoma cell lines (M14 and A375), and the underlying apoptosis inducing mechanisms. MTS assay showed that cardamonin inhibited M14 cells viability, and a reduction of the M14 cell density was also observed. Flow cytometry showed that cardamonin induced M14 cells apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner. Western blot analysis showed protein expression in M14 and A375; the pro-apoptotic protein BAX was upregulated, while the anti-apoptotic protein B-cell lymphoma-2 was downregulated. The protein expression of cleaved caspase-8, -9 and cleaved poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase was increased, whereas P65 was decreased. Furthermore, cardamonin inhibited M14 cell migration. These findings suggest that cardamonin may be a novel anticancer treatment for human melanoma.