Baicalein induces apoptosis via a mitochondrial-dependent caspase activation pathway in T24 bladder cancer cells.
Recurrence of bladder cancer following transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TURBt) is an obstacle in clinical management. In the current study, we investigated the antitumor activity of baicalein, a Chinese herbal medicine, against T24 bladder cancer cells in vitro. Baicalein inhibited growth and caused G1/S arrest of the cell cycle in the T24 cells. Moreover, baicalein induced apoptosis via loss of mitochondrial transmembrane potential (ΔΨm), release of cytochrome c and activation of caspase-9 and caspase-3. Baicalein inhibited Akt phosphorylation, downregulated Bcl-2 expression and upregulated Bax expression, which in turn increased the ratio of Bax/Bcl-2. Our results demonstrate that baicalein repressed growth inhibition and induced apoptosis via loss of ΔΨm and activation of caspase-9 and caspase-3 in T24 bladder cancer cells, which indicates that baicalein may be an effective agent in the clinical management of bladder cancer.
Department of Urology, Second Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710004, PR China.
Hong-Liang
HL
Li
Shu
S
Zhang
Yuan
Y
Wang
Rong-Rui
RR
Liang
Jun
J
Li
Peng
P
An
Zi-Ming
ZM
Wang
Jun
J
Yang
Zong-Fang
ZF
Li
D000975:Antioxidants / Q000494:pharmacology; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D053148:Caspase 3 / Q000378:metabolism; D053453:Caspase 9 / Q000378:metabolism; D020169:Caspases / Q000378:metabolism*; D059447:Cell Cycle Checkpoints / Q000187:drug effects; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004789:Enzyme Activation / Q000187:drug effects; D044950:Flavanones / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D053078:Membrane Potential, Mitochondrial / Q000187:drug effects; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism*; D051057:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt / Q000378:metabolism; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000187:drug effects*; D014410:Tumor Stem Cell Assay; D001749:Urinary Bladder Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*
D000975:Antioxidants; D044950:Flavanones; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2; C006680:baicalein; D051057:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt; D053148:Caspase 3; D053453:Caspase 9; D020169:Caspases