Extracts from Cladiella australis, Clavularia viridis and Klyxum simplex (soft corals) are capable of inhibiting the growth of human oral squamous cell carcinoma cells.
Many biomedical products have already been obtained from marine organisms. In order to search more therapeutic drugs against cancer, this study demonstrates the cytotoxicity effects of Cladiella australis, Clavularia viridis and Klyxum simplex extracts on human oral squamous cell carcinoma (SCC4, SCC9 and SCC25) cells using cell adhesion and cell viability assay. The morphological alterations in SCCs cells after treatment with three extracts, such as typical nuclear condensation, nuclear fragmentation and apoptotic bodies of cells were demonstrated by Hoechst stain. Flow cytometry indicated that three extracts sensitized SCC25 cells in the G(0)/G(1) and S-G(2)/M phases with a concomitant significantly increased sub-G(1) fraction, indicating cell death by apoptosis. This apoptosis process was accompanied by activation of caspase-3 expression after SCC25 cells were treated with three extracts. Thereby, it is possible that extracts of C. australis, C. viridis and K. simplex cause apoptosis of SCCs and warrant further research investigating the possible anti-oral cancer compounds in these soft corals.
Liang
Chia-Hua
CH
Department of Cosmetic Science, Chia Nan University of Pharmacy and Science, Tainan 717, Taiwan.
Wang
Guey-Horng
GH
Liaw
Chih-Chuang
CC
Lee
Mei-Feng
MF
Wang
Shih-Hao
SH
Cheng
Da-Long
DL
Chou
Tzung-Han
TH
D000818:Animals; D037421:Anthozoa / Q000737:chemistry*; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D053148:Caspase 3 / Q000378:metabolism; D002448:Cell Adhesion / Q000187:drug effects; D002453:Cell Cycle / Q000187:drug effects; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D015971:Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D014020:Tissue Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D014020:Tissue Extracts; D053148:Caspase 3