Inhibition of nasopharyngeal carcinoma cell proliferation and synergism of cisplatin with silvestrol and episilvestrol isolated fromAglaia stellatopilosa.
Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is a type of tumour that arises from the epithelial cells that line the surface of the nasopharynx. NPC is treated with radiotherapy and cytotoxic chemotherapeutic drugs such as cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil. However, current strategies are often associated with potential toxicities. This has prompted efforts to identify alternative methods of treatment. The present study aimed to investigate silvestrol and episilvestrol-mediated inhibition of cell proliferation in human NPC cells. The growth kinetics of NPC cells treated with silvestrol or episilvestrol were monitored dynamically using a real-time, impedance-based cell analyzer, and dose-response profiles were generated using a colorimetric cell viability assay. Furthermore, apoptosis was evaluated using flow cytometry and high content analysis. In addition, flow cytometry was performed to determine cell cycle distribution. Finally, the effects of combining silvestrol or episilvestrol with cisplatin on NPC cells was examined. Apoptosis was not observed in silvestrol and episilvestrol-treated NPC cells, although cell cycle perturbation was evident. Treatment with both compounds induced a significant increase in the percentage of cells in the G2/M phase, as compared with the control.In vitrocultures combining silvestrol or episilvestrol with cisplatin showed synergistic effects against NPC cells. The results of the present study suggested that silvestrol and episilvestrol had an anti-tumour activity in NPC cells. Silvestrol and episilvestrol, particularly in combination with cisplatin, merit further investigation, so as to determine the cellular mechanisms underlying their action(s) as anti-NPC agents.
Molecular Pathology Unit, Cancer Research Centre, Institute for Medical Research, Kuala Lumpur 50588, Malaysia.
Maelinda
M
Daker
Sarawak Biodiversity Centre, KM20, Semengoh, Kuching, Sarawak 93990, Malaysia.
Jiun-Tzen
JT
Yeo
Molecular Pathology Unit, Cancer Research Centre, Institute for Medical Research, Kuala Lumpur 50588, Malaysia.
Norhasimah
N
Bakar
Sarawak Biodiversity Centre, KM20, Semengoh, Kuching, Sarawak 93990, Malaysia.
Asma' Saiyidatina Aishah Abdul
AS
Abdul Rahman
Molecular Pathology Unit, Cancer Research Centre, Institute for Medical Research, Kuala Lumpur 50588, Malaysia.
Munirah
M
Ahmad
Sarawak Biodiversity Centre, KM20, Semengoh, Kuching, Sarawak 93990, Malaysia.
Tiong-Chia
TC
Yeo
Molecular Pathology Unit, Cancer Research Centre, Institute for Medical Research, Kuala Lumpur 50588, Malaysia.
Alan Soo-Beng
AS
Khoo
Aglaia stellatopilosa; cell cycle arrest; cell proliferation; cisplatin; episilvestrol; nasopharyngeal carcinoma; silvestrol; synergism