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Rosmarinic Acid as a Potential Therapeutic Agent against Neuroblastoma: Anticancer Activity and Molecular Docking
Pınar Yumrutaş1, Demet Taşdemir2, Önder Yumrutaş3
1Department of Respiratory Disease and Cancer Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Gaziantep University, 27410, Gaziantep, Turkey.
Introduction:
Rosmarinic acid (RA) is a phenolic acid known for its important biological activities. Although it has been shown to inhibit various cancer cell types, its effects on the suppression and induction of apoptosis in neuroblastoma cells remain unclear. In this study, the antiproliferation and apoptosis-inducing effects of various concentrations of rosmarinic acid on neuroblastoma cells (SH-SY5Y) were investigated. Additionally, molecular docking analysis was conducted to examine the interaction between rosmarinic acid and the antiapoptotic protein BCL2.
Methods:
SH-SY5Y cells were treated with rosmarinic acid at concentrations of 50, 100, 150, and 200 μg/ml for 24 hours. The percentages of apoptotic and necrotic cells in cultures treated with the lowest and highest concentrations were assessed using the Annexin V/PI staining method. Furthermore, the interaction between rosmarinic acid and BCL2 protein was analyzed using molecular docking techniques.
Results:
The viability of rosmarinic acid-treated SH-SY5Y cells decreased. In SH-SY5Y cells, the percentage of late apoptotic cells increased to 40%. Molecular docking results showed that the benzene ring of rosmarinic acid formed pi-alkyl interactions with PHE71 and van der Waals interactions with SER64, ALA72, SER75, and VAL115 of BCL2. The lowest binding energy was calculated as -7.2 kcal/mol.
Discussion:
RA demonstrated a suppressive effect on SH-SY5Y cells by targeting the antiapoptotic protein BCL2, suggesting a potential mechanism of action through the induction of apoptosis.
Conclusion:
RA inhibited neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cell proliferation and induced apoptotic cell death. It inhibited the proliferation of neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells and promoted apoptotic cell death, potentially through interaction with the BCL2 protein.
Insights
Rosmarinic acid (RA) suppresses neuroblastoma cell growth and induces apoptosis. This study reveals RA
Area of Science:
- Pharmacology
- Molecular Biology
- Cancer Research
Background:
- Rosmarinic acid (RA) is a phenolic compound with known biological activities.
- Its effects on neuroblastoma cells, specifically apoptosis induction, require further investigation.
- Neuroblastoma is a pediatric cancer with significant unmet therapeutic needs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the antiproliferative and apoptosis-inducing effects of rosmarinic acid on SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells.
- To explore the potential interaction between rosmarinic acid and the antiapoptotic BCL2 protein using molecular docking.
Main Methods:
- SH-SY5Y cells were treated with varying concentrations of rosmarinic acid (50–200 μg/ml).
- Apoptosis and necrosis were assessed using Annexin V/PI staining.
- Molecular docking was employed to analyze rosmarinic acid's interaction with the BCL2 protein.
Main Results:
- Rosmarinic acid treatment reduced SH-SY5Y cell viability.
- A significant increase in late apoptotic cells (up to 40%) was observed.
- Molecular docking indicated favorable interactions between rosmarinic acid and BCL2, with a binding energy of -7.2 kcal/mol.
Conclusions:
- Rosmarinic acid exhibits antiproliferative effects on neuroblastoma cells.
- RA induces apoptotic cell death in SH-SY5Y cells.
- Interaction with the antiapoptotic BCL2 protein is a potential mechanism for RA's action.
