Artepillin C as a targeting survivin molecule in oral squamous cell carcinoma cells in vitro: A preliminary study

J Oral Pathol Med. 2018 Jan;47(1):48-52. doi: 10.1111/jop.12624. Epub 2017 Oct 12.

Abstract

Background: Survivin, a member of the inhibitor of apoptosis family, is overexpressed in most human tumors, but undetectable in normal adult tissues. It is a promising target molecule in cancer treatment, as interference in its function promotes apoptosis. Artepillin C, a major, biologically active ingredient of Brazilian propolis, possesses anticancer activity against several cancer cells with different tissue origins. However, little is known about its bioactivity on oral squamous cell carcinoma cells or its effect on survivin expression. The aim of this study was to investigate the cytotoxic and antisurvivin activities of artepillin C in oral squamous cell carcinoma cells.

Methods: HSC-3 human oral squamous cell carcinoma cells were treated with varying doses of artepillin C for up to 72 hours. Cell viability was measured by WST-1, and the cytotoxic effects of artepillin C on HSC-3 cells were quantified with flow cytometry. The survivin levels were determined by ELISA.

Results: Artepillin C exhibited dose- and time-dependent cytotoxic effects on HSC-3 cells. Flow cytometric analysis showed that 22% of untreated HSC-3 cells underwent spontaneous cell death, whereas 77.32% of the cells were killed in response to the highest dose of artepillin C at 72 hours. Survivin expression was reduced in treated cells.

Conclusions: HSC-3 cells are vulnerable to artepillin C in a dose- and time-dependent manner. HSC-3 cell death induced by artepillin C, at least in part, was a result of a decrease in survivin levels.

Keywords: artepillin C; cytotoxicity; oral squamous cell carcinoma; survivin.

MeSH terms

  • Apoptosis / drug effects
  • Brazil
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / drug therapy*
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / pathology
  • Cell Death / drug effects
  • Cell Line, Tumor / drug effects
  • Cell Survival / drug effects
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic / drug effects
  • Humans
  • Inhibitor of Apoptosis Proteins / biosynthesis
  • Inhibitor of Apoptosis Proteins / drug effects*
  • Mouth Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Mouth Neoplasms / pathology
  • Phenylpropionates / administration & dosage
  • Phenylpropionates / pharmacology*
  • Propolis / pharmacology
  • Survivin
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • BIRC5 protein, human
  • Inhibitor of Apoptosis Proteins
  • Phenylpropionates
  • Survivin
  • artepillin C
  • Propolis