Licoricidin Enhances Paclitaxel-induced Apoptosis Through Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress in Human Cervical Cancer...

Area of Science:

• Pharmacology
• Oncology
• Cell Biology

Background:

• Chemotherapy side effects drive research into natural compounds as adjuncts.
• Licoricidin, from licorice, has known pharmacological effects.
• Antitumor mechanisms of licoricidin and paclitaxel in cervical cancer require elucidation.

Purpose of the Study:

• Investigate the antitumor mechanisms of combined licoricidin and paclitaxel treatment in cervical cancer.
• Evaluate the effects on cell growth, apoptosis, and endoplasmic reticulum stress.

Main Methods:

• Cell viability assessed via MTT assay.
• Apoptosis evaluated using Annexin V/PI staining.
• Endoplasmic reticulum stress and protein expression analyzed by ER-ID assay and western blotting.

Main Results:

• Combined treatment inhibited growth and induced apoptosis in HeLa and C-33A cells.
• Increased expression of apoptotic proteins (c-PARP, Bax, DR5) and decreased pro-caspase proteins observed.
• Endoplasmic reticulum stress induced, with altered expression of key ER stress markers (ERp44, ERp57, ERp72, GRP78).

Conclusions:

• The combination of licoricidin and paclitaxel induces apoptosis via endoplasmic reticulum stress.
• This combination represents a potential therapeutic strategy for human cervical cancer.