α-Viniferin-Induced Apoptosis through Downregulation of SIRT1 in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Cells

Area of Science:

• Biochemistry
• Molecular Biology
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Alpha-viniferin, a stilbene polymer, exhibits potential anti-cancer properties.
• The precise anti-cancer mechanisms of alpha-viniferin require further elucidation.
• Non-small cell lung cancer (NCSC) remains a significant global health challenge.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the anti-cancer efficacy of alpha-viniferin and epsilon-viniferin against NCI-H460 non-small cell lung cancer cells.
• To elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying alpha-viniferin's anti-cancer activity.
• To evaluate the in vivo anti-tumor effects of alpha-viniferin.

Main Methods:

• MTT assay to assess cell viability.
• Annexin V/7AAD and TUNEL assays to detect apoptosis.
• Western blotting to analyze protein expression (caspase 3, PARP, SIRT1, vimentin, p-AKT).
• In vivo xenograft model in nude mice.

Main Results:

• Alpha-viniferin significantly reduced NCI-H460 cell viability, outperforming epsilon-viniferin.
• Alpha-viniferin induced apoptosis in NCI-H460 cells, evidenced by caspase 3 and PARP cleavage, and AIF nuclear translocation.
• Treatment with alpha-viniferin decreased SIRT1, vimentin, and phosphorylated AKT expression.
• In vivo studies confirmed alpha-viniferin's anti-tumor efficacy by promoting apoptosis in xenograft models.

Conclusions:

• Alpha-viniferin demonstrates potent anti-cancer activity against non-small cell lung cancer by inducing apoptosis.
• The compound modulates key apoptotic and signaling pathways, including caspase activation and SIRT1/AKT inhibition.
• Alpha-viniferin represents a promising therapeutic candidate for non-small cell lung cancer treatment.