Synergistic effects of baicalein with gemcitabine or docetaxel on the proliferation, migration and apoptosis of pancreatic cancer cells

Abstract

Baicalein, a type of flavonoids extracted from Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi, has been reported to be a very promising drug for pancreatic cancer. However, it is unclear whether combination of baicalein with gemcitabine or docetaxel is synergistic to the treatment for pancreatic cancer (PC). We investigated the combinational effects of baicalein with gemcitabine or docetaxel on proliferation, cell cycle, migration and apoptosis of human PC cells. Administration of baicalein alone significantly inhibit the proliferation of PC cells. Notably, when it is combined with gemcitabine or docetaxel, combination index (CI) values calculated by Calcusyn software are smaller than 1, indicating the synergism of baicalein with gemcitabine or docetaxel for the treatment of PC cells. Consistently, EdU assay showed that administration of baicalein significantly enhanced the capacity of gemicitabine to inhibit proliferation of PC cells. Cell cycle analysis showed that high-concentration of baicalein was able to arrest PC cells in the S phase. Furthermore, low concentration of baicalein in combination with either gemcitabine or docetaxel exhibited strong suppression on the migration of PC cells. A further study using transmission electron microscope (TEM), DAPI staining and western blot showed that baicalein induced-apoptosis of PC cells might be via caspase-3/PARP signaling pathway. Notably, combination treatment was able to induce more severe cell apoptosis of PC cells. In conclusion, baicalein exhibited synergistic effects with gemcitabine or docetaxel on the treatment of PC cells.

Skullcapflavone I has a potent anti‐pancreatic cancer activity by targeting miR‐23a

“…[21][22][23][24] Baicalein is one of the primary active elements of this plant, and much attention has focused on the anticancer property of baicalein in pancreatic cancer. [25][26][27] SFI is another main compound in Scutellaria barbata D. Don, which has a similar chemical structure with baicalein. It has been well-known that the pharmacological activities of flavonoids depend on their molecular structures.…”

“…Scutellaria barbata D. Don, a traditional Chinese herb, has been proved as an anticancer drug for multiple kinds of cancers, such as liver, lung, rectal, breast, and prostate tumors . Baicalein is one of the primary active elements of this plant, and much attention has focused on the anticancer property of baicalein in pancreatic cancer . SFI is another main compound in Scutellaria barbata D. Don, which has a similar chemical structure with baicalein.…”

Anticancer Effect by Combined Treatment of Artemisia annua L. Polyphenols and Docetaxel in DU145 Prostate Cancer Cells and HCT116 Colorectal Cancer Cells

“…Polyphenolic compounds can be simply classified into flavonoids and non-flavonoids, and can be subdivided into various subclasses depending on their chemical structure and number of phenol groups [26,27]. It is known that synergistic anticancer effect is induced by combination treatment of PTX with flavonoid-type polyphenols such as flavone, flavonol, baicalein, luteolin, kaempferol, and quercetin [28,29]; in addition, the anticancer effect of DTX is synergistically induced by combined treatment with polyphenols such as baicalein, resveratrol, and quercetin in pancreatic cancer cells and prostate cancer cells [30][31][32]. However, studies on the efficient anticancer effect and mechanism by the combined treatment of DTX and various types of polyphenols are still needed to further improve DTX-containing chemotherapy used in the treatment of various cancers.…”

Curcumin enhances anti‑cancer efficacy of either gemcitabine or docetaxel on pancreatic cancer cells

“…Gemcitabine is a deoxycytidine analogue widely used for the therapy of PC patients and improved their survival ( 4 ). Docetaxel, a semi-synthetic analogue of paclitaxel, is a clinically well used anti-mitotic chemotherapeutic drug for the treatment of various carcinomas, including breast, ovarian, lung and pancreatic cancer ( 1 , 2 , 5 ). However, the unsatisfactory effects and unavoidable toxic side effects are major obstacles for the present chemotherapeutic regimens ( 1 , 2 , 6 ).…”