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Luteolin inhibits proliferation, triggers apoptosis and modulates Akt/mTOR and MAP kinase pathways in HeLa cells

Ritu Raina1, Sreepoorna Pramodh2, Naushad Rais1

  • 1School of Life Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

Oncology Letters
|February 12, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Luteolin, a flavonoid, effectively combats cervical cancer cells by inducing apoptosis and inhibiting proliferation. This study confirms its anti-cancer properties through various molecular and cellular assays, highlighting its therapeutic potential.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Cancer Research
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Flavonoids, a subclass of polyphenols, exhibit anti-cancer effects by reducing cell proliferation and promoting apoptosis.
  • Luteolin is a flavonoid with potential anti-carcinogenic properties that warrant further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the anti-carcinogenic effects of luteolin on HeLa human cervical cancer cells.
  • To elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying luteolin's action, including apoptosis induction and cell cycle regulation.

Main Methods:

  • Cell viability assay, DNA fragmentation assay, and mitochondrial membrane potential assay.
  • Cell cycle analysis via Annexin/PI staining and flow cytometry.
  • Gene expression analysis and protein profiling array to assess key molecular pathways.

Main Results:

  • Luteolin demonstrated dose- and time-dependent cytotoxicity against HeLa cells, leading to cell cycle arrest in sub-G1 phase.
  • Apoptosis was induced through mitochondrial membrane potential depolarization and DNA fragmentation, with altered expression of pro- and anti-apoptotic genes (e.g., increased BAX, decreased BCL-2).
  • Luteolin modulated cell cycle regulatory genes and key proteins in apoptosis and survival pathways (e.g., AKT, MAPK), indicating inhibition of AKT and MAPK signaling.

Conclusions:

  • Luteolin exhibits significant anti-proliferative and apoptosis-inducing properties against human cervical cancer cells.
  • The anti-cancer effects of luteolin are mediated by the modulation of apoptosis-related genes and proteins and the inhibition of AKT and MAPK signaling pathways.
  • Luteolin shows promise as a potential therapeutic agent for cervical cancer.
Keywords:
anticancerantiproliferationapoptosiscancerchemoprevention

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