Taxifolin inhibits the scar cell carcinoma growth by inducing apoptosis, cell cycle arrest and suppression of PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway.

PURPOSE: Plant metabolites have gained considerable attention as the anticancer agents over the last few decades. Previous studies have indicated the potential of taxifolin as an anticancer agent. However, the information on the anticancer activity of taxifolin against skin scar cell carcinoma as well as several other types of cancers is scantly. Against this background, the present study was designed to investigate the anticancer activity of taxifolin against a panel of skin scar cell carcinoma cell lines.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

Proliferation rate of the cells was monitored by MTT assay. DAPI and annexin V/PI assay was used to investigate the induction of apoptosis. Flow cytometery was employed to carry out the cell cycle analysis. Transwell assay was used to check the invasion of the cancerous cells.

RESULTS

The results indicated that taxifolin inhibits the growth of the skin scar cell carcinoma cell lines. However the anticancer effects were more profound on the SSCC cancer cells (IC50, 20 µM). In contrast the anticancer effects of taxifolin on the non-cancerous skin cells were minimal. Further investigation revealed that the anticancer effects of taxifolin on the SSCC cells is due to the induction of apoptosis and cell cycle arrest. Moreover, taxifolin could also inhibit the invasion of SSCC cells which was associated with downregulation of the MMP-2 and MMP-9 expression indicative of the potential of taxifolin in the treatment of scar cell carcinoma

Conclusion

It is was found that taxifolin inhibited the growth of skin scar cell carcinoma growth by triggering apoptosis and cell cycle arrest and also inhibited cell invasion capacity and therefore this study warrants further investigation on the anticancerous potential of taxifolin.