Apigenin exerts anticancer effects on human cervical cancer cells via induction of apoptosis and regulation of Raf/MEK/ERK signalling pathway

Abstract

Purpose: To investigate the anticancer activity of apigenin on human cervical cancer cells. Methods: The anti-proliferative effects of apigenin on HeLa cervical cancer cells were determined by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) and clonogenic assays, while its effect on apoptosis was assayed by DAPI and annexin V/PI double staining. Expression of proteins was assessed by immunoblotting. Results: Apigenin exerted anticancer effects on HeLa cervical cancer cells with an IC50 of 15 µM, and also reduced the colony formation of HeLa cells. These antiproliferative effects were due to induction of apoptosis as indicated by DAPI and annexin V/PI staining. Apigenin altered Bax/Bcl-2 ratio, thereby triggering apoptosis, and also inhibited the Raf/MEK/ERK signalling pathway. Conclusion: These results indicate that apigenin suppresses the growth of cervical cancer cells and may prove to be an important molecule for the treatment of cervical cancer.

The Anti-cancer Effect of Olea europaea L. Products: a Review

“…Flavonoids are secondary metabolites corresponding to polyphenols that have a diverse structure, taking the form glycosides or aglycones in fruits and vegetables such as onions, berries, kale, and green tea [60]. Apigenin A recent study investigated the anti-proliferative effects of apigenin, an abundant flavonoid, on the human cervical cancer cell line HeLa [62]. Initial research demonstrated an IC 50 of 15 μMsimilar to that observed for some common chemotherapeutics.…”

“…This was demonstrated by Western blot where apigenin increased the expression of Bax and decreased the expression of Bcl-2, commonly observed in apoptosis. The authors concluded that apigenin has apparent potential as a chemotherapeutic agent [62]. Erdogan et al [63] observed apigenin reduce prostate cancer stem cell survival and migration, via treating PC3 and cancer stem cells with a series of μM concentrations of apigenin for 48 hours.…”

“…A recent study investigated the anti-proliferative effects of apigenin, an abundant flavonoid, on the human cervical cancer cell line HeLa [ 62 ]. Initial research demonstrated an IC 50 of 15 μM – similar to that observed for some common chemotherapeutics.…”

“…This was demonstrated by Western blot where apigenin increased the expression of Bax and decreased the expression of Bcl-2, commonly observed in apoptosis. The authors concluded that apigenin has apparent potential as a chemotherapeutic agent [ 62 ]. Erdogan et al .…”

Flavonoids as promising anticancer therapeutics: Contemporary research, nanoantioxidant potential, and future scope

“…The 4,6‐diamidino‐2‐phenylindole (DAPI) and Annexin V double staining techniques were applied for the analysis of the apoptosis in HeLa cells. The results indicated that apigenin reduced colony formation on HeLa cells and also induced apoptosis via habiting the Raf/MEK/ERK signaling pathway (Yang et al, 2018). Another study was performed to investigate the ability of apigenin in inhibition of self‐renewal capacity of sphere‐forming cells of HeLa cells and the results revealed the positive effects of apigenin in treatment of cervical cancer by reducing self‐renewal capacity of cells through the overexpression of casein kinase 2α (Liu et al, 2015).…”