Researchers are looking into the potential development of natural compounds for anticancer
therapy. Previous studies have postulated the cytotoxic effect of
helichrysetin towards different
cancer cell lines. In this study, we investigated the cytotoxic effect of
helichrysetin, a naturally occurring
chalcone on four selected
cancer cell lines, A549, MCF-7, Ca Ski, and HT-29, and further elucidated its biochemical and molecular mechanisms in human
lung adenocarcinoma, A549.
Helichrysetin showed the highest cytotoxic activity against Ca Ski followed by A549. Changes in the nuclear morphology of A549 cells such as
chromatin condensation and nuclear fragmentation were observed in cells treated with
helichrysetin. Further evidence of apoptosis includes the externalization of
phosphatidylserine and the collapse of mitochondrial membrane potential which are both early signs of apoptosis. These signs of apoptosis are related to cell cycle blockade at the S checkpoint which suggests that the alteration of the cell cycle contributes to the induction of apoptosis in A549. These results suggest that
helichrysetin has great potentials for development as an
anticancer agent.