Licochalcone A induces apoptotic cell death via JNK/p38 activation in human nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells.

Abstract

Licochalcone A is widely studied in different fields and possesses antiasthmatic, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidative, and anticancer properties. Its antimalignancy activity on renal, liver, lung, and oral cancer has been explored. However, limited studies have been conducted on the inhibitory effects of licochalcone A in human nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells. We determined cell viability using MTT assay. Cell cycle distribution and apoptotic cell death were measured via flow cytometry. Caspase activation and mitogen-activated protein kinase-related proteins in nasopharyngeal cancer cells in response to licochalcone A were identified by Western blot analysis. Results indicated that licochalcone A reduces cell viability and induces apoptosis, as evidenced by the upregulation of caspase-8 and caspase-9, caspase-3 activation, and cleaved-poly ADP-ribose polymerase expression. Treatment with licochalcone A significantly increases ERK1/2, p38, and JNK1/2 activation. Co-administration of a JNK inhibitor (JNK-IN-8) or p38 inhibitor (SB203580) abolishes the activation of caspase-9, caspase-8, and caspase-3 protein expression during licochalcone A treatment. These findings indicate that licochalcone A exerts a cytostatic effect through apoptosis by targeting the JNK/p38 pathway in human nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells. Therefore, licochalcone A is a promising therapeutic agent for the treatment of human nasopharyngeal cancer cells.

• Authors: Chun-Yi Chuang, Cheng-Ming Tang, Hsin-Yu Ho, Chung-Han Hsin, Chia-Jui Weng, Shun-Fa Yang, Pei-Ni Chen, Chiao-Wen Lin
• Journal: Environmental toxicology (Environ Toxicol) Vol. 34 Issue 7 Pg. 853-860 (Jul 2019) ISSN: 1522-7278 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 30983163 (Publication Type: Journal Article)
• Copyright: © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Chemical References

• Antineoplastic Agents
• Chalcones
• Imidazoles
• Pyridines
• JNK Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases
• p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases
• Caspases
• licochalcone A
• SB 203580

Topics

• Antineoplastic Agents (pharmacology)
• Apoptosis (drug effects)
• Caspases (metabolism)
• Cell Death (drug effects)
• Cell Line, Tumor
• Cell Survival (drug effects)
• Chalcones (pharmacology)
• Drug Screening Assays, Antitumor
• Enzyme Activation (drug effects)
• Humans
• Imidazoles (pharmacology)
• JNK Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases (antagonists & inhibitors, metabolism)
• MAP Kinase Signaling System (drug effects)
• Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma (metabolism, pathology)
• Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms (metabolism, pathology)
• Pyridines (pharmacology)
• Signal Transduction (drug effects)
• p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases (antagonists & inhibitors, metabolism)