Berberine induced apoptosis via promoting the expression of caspase-8, -9 and -3, apoptosis-inducing factor and endonuclease G in SCC-4 human tongue squamous carcinoma cancer cells.
Many phytochemicals have been recognized to have potential chemopreventive or chemotherapeutic efficacy in cancer treatment. In this study, we hypothesized that berberine would have anticancer activities in SCC-4 human tongue cancer cells. Results indicated that berberine reduced the viability of SCC-4 cells, which was initiated by the generation of reactive oxygen species, via an increase in cytosolic Ca(2+). Berberine-induced apoptosis was associated with a reduction of the mitochondrial membrane potential associated with changes in the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio, release of cytochrome c from mitochondria and activation of down stream caspase-3. Real-time PCR showed that berberine stimulated gene expression of caspase-8, -9 and -3, apoptosis-inducing factor and endonuclease G. The present study demonstrated that berberine-mediated apoptosis of SCC-4 cells is regulated by ROS, mitochondria, caspase-3-dependent and mitochondria-dependent pathways, suggesting that berberine may be considered for future studies as a promising therapeutic candidate for human tongue cancer.
Ho
Yung-Tsuan
YT
Graduate Institute of Chinese Medical Science, China Medical University, Taichung 404, Taiwan.
Lu
Chi-Cheng
CC
Yang
Jai-Sing
JS
Chiang
Jo-Hua
JH
Li
Tsai-Chung
TC
Ip
Siu-Wan
SW
Hsia
Te-Chun
TC
Liao
Ching-Lung
CL
Lin
Jaung-Geng
JG
Wood
W Gibson
WG
Chung
Jing-Gung
JG
D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D051033:Apoptosis Inducing Factor / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D001599:Berberine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D020169:Caspases / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D003600:Cytosol / Q000378:metabolism; D004249:DNA Damage; D004706:Endodeoxyribonucleases / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006801:Humans; D007527:Isoenzymes; D053078:Membrane Potential, Mitochondrial / Q000187:drug effects; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000378:metabolism; D014062:Tongue Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology
C494829:AIFM1 protein, human; D051033:Apoptosis Inducing Factor; D007527:Isoenzymes; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D001599:Berberine; D004706:Endodeoxyribonucleases; C052391:endonuclease G; D020169:Caspases; D002118:Calcium