Anti-Proliferation and Apoptosis Induction in Epidermoid Carcinoma A431 Cells by Terminalia bellirica Extract
Innajak S, PhD1, Chulasiri M, PhD2,3, Watanapokasin R, PhD1
Affiliation : 1 Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Srinakharinwirot University, Bangkok, Thailand 2 Faculty of Pharmacy, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand 3 Research & Development Division, SJI, Bangkok, Thailand
Background : Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is a member of non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC), which is slow-growing and high
metastasis. UV exposed from the sun or tanning beds is one of the risk factors of SCC developing. Nowadays, SCC treatments include
surgery, photodynamic therapy, radiation therapy and chemotherapy, but it is unsatisfactory. Therefore the finding of new
therapeutic target is necessary.
Objective : To investigate the effect of Terminalia bellirica extract on anti-proliferation and apoptosis induction in highly metastasis
epidermoid carcinoma A431 cells.
Materials and Methods : Cytotoxicity, cell viability and cell proliferation were determined by MTT assay. Nuclear morphological
changes and protein expression were determined by Hoechst staining and Western blot analysis, respectively.
Results : T. bellirica extract showed anti-proliferative effect on A431 cells. Hoechst staining revealed chromatin condensation and
apoptotic bodies induction in A431 treated cells by T. bellirica extract. In addition, apoptosis induction via up-regulartion of Bax, Bik,
and Bok as well as down-regulation of Mcl-1 was obtained. Moreover, T. bellirica extract showed apoptosis induction through
caspase-7 protein activation.
Conclusion : The present study showed that T. bellirica extract inhibited cell proliferation and induced apoptosis induction in A431
treated cells. The results indicated that T. bellirica extract may be further developed as skin cancer protection product. However the
underlying mechanisms of apoptosis induction in A431 cells should be further studied.
Keywords : Skin cancer, T. bellirica extract, Apoptosis, Anti-proliferation
