Luteolin Induces Apoptosis in Oral Squamous Cancer Cells

• Published in: Journal of dental research Vol. 87; no. 4; pp. 401 - 406
• Main Authors: Yang, S.-F., Yang, W.-E., Chang, H.-R., Chu, S.-C., Hsieh, Y.-S.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States SAGE Publications 01-04-2008; SAGE PUBLICATIONS, INC
• Subjects: Animals; Antineoplastic Agents - therapeutic use; Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic - therapeutic use; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols - therapeutic use; Apoptosis - drug effects; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell - drug therapy; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell - pathology; Caspase 3 - drug effects; Caspase 9 - drug effects; Cell Line, Tumor; Cell Survival - drug effects; Cyclin-Dependent Kinases - antagonists & inhibitors; Cyclins - antagonists & inhibitors; Dentistry; Humans; Luteolin - therapeutic use; Mice; Mice, Nude; Neoplasm Transplantation; Paclitaxel - therapeutic use; Poly(ADP-ribose) Polymerases - drug effects; Tongue Neoplasms - drug therapy; Tongue Neoplasms - pathology; Transplantation, Heterologous; luteolin; apoptosis; oral squamous cell carcinoma; SCC-4
• ISSN: 0022-0345; 1544-0591
• DOI: 10.1177/154405910808700413

Oral squamous cell carcinoma is the most common malignancy of the oral cavity, and treatment approaches are inadequate. Luteolin, a natural flavonoid compound, has been shown to have anti-tumorigenic properties on various types of tumors. Therefore, we hypothesized that luteolin has anti-tumorigenic properties for oral squamous cell carcinoma, and may provide effective chemotherapy. Results revealed that luteolin reduced the viability of SCC-4 cells and induced apoptosis by decreasing the expression of cyclin-dependent kinase (CDKs), cyclins, and phosphor- retinoblastoma (p-Rb) anti-apoptotic protein, but increased the expression of pro-apoptotic proteins and activated caspase 9 and 3, with a concomitant increase in the levels of cleaved poly-ADP-ribose polymerase (PARP). Combination treatment of luteolin with paclitaxel enhanced the cytotoxic effect of paclitaxel in SCC-4 cells, and continuous administration of luteolin suppressed the growth of xenograft tumors in nude mice. These results suggest that luteolin could be an effective chemotherapeutic agent for the treatment of oral squamous cell carcinoma.