Apigenin-induced Apoptosis in Lung Adenocarcinoma A549 Cells: Involvement in IFNA2, TNF, and SPON2 With Different...

Apigenin, found in a variety of vegetables and fruits, exhibits anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory and anticancer effects. Recently, we reported the possibility that apigenin induces apoptosis in human lung adenocarcinoma A549 cells through the miR-34a-5p/SNAI1/caspase-3/-7 pathway. Understanding how apigenin triggers apoptosis in cancer cells will help lay the groundwork for developing effective cancer treatments.

The lung adenocarcinoma A549 Cell line was used. To determine whether caspase-8 or caspase-9 is activated, we performed a caspase activity assay. Real-time qRT-PCR was performed to identify mRNAs that may stimulate the upstream pathways, including tumor necrosis factor-a (TNF-a), spondin-2 (SPON2), and interferon-a2 (IFNA2), which are known to be involved in apoptosis in various cancer cell lines.

In apigenin-treated cells, early-stage apoptosis was observed at 24 h, with increased activity of caspase-8 at 18 h and again at 24 h, and caspase-9 at 24 h and further at 48 h. However, mRNA levels of caspase-8 and caspase-9 significantly decreased after 24 h. Real-time RT-qPCR analysis revealed increased mRNA levels of TNF-a, spondin-2, and interferon-a2 after 24 h of apigenin treatment in A549 cells, whereas treatment for 48 h led to decreased expression of SPON2 and IFNA2.

Apigenin promotes apoptosis in A549 cells by modulating various signaling pathways at different time points.