Effect of allyl isothiocyanate on the viability and apoptosis of the human cervical cancer HeLa cell line in�vitro

Abstract

Abstract. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of allyl isothiocyanate (AITC) on the viability and apoptosis of the human cervical cancer HeLa cell line in vitro, and to explore the potential underlying mechanisms of this. HeLa cells were treated with varying concentrations of AITC for different durations. The cell viability was then measured using a Cell Counting kit-8 assay and the apoptosis rate of the cells was detected using flow cytometry. Additionally, the B cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2) and Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax) mRNA expression levels were determined by reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction, while the Bax and Bcl-2 protein expression levels in cells were detected by western blot analysis. AITC was revealed to inhibit the viability of HeLa cells. AITC was revealed to induce the apoptosis of HeLa cells, as the apoptosis rate increased gradually with an increase in the dose. As the concentration of AITC increased, the Bax mRNA expression level increased, whilst the Bcl-2 mRNA expression level decreased. Furthermore, the Bax protein expression intensity increased whilst Bcl-2 protein expression intensity decreased, thereby resulting in a decrease in the ratio of Bcl-2/Bax proteins. AITC may inhibit cell viability by inducing the apoptosis of HeLa cells and this may be accounted for by the imbalance in the Bcl-2/Bax expression ratio.

Sensitivity of allyl isothiocyanate to induce apoptosis via ER stress and the mitochondrial pathway upon ROS production in colorectal adenocarcinoma cells

“…Moreover, ITCs have drawn attention owing to their capability to exert a broad spectrum of antitumor effects (9)(10)(11). Allyl isothiocyanate (AITC) is a constituent of naturally occurring ITCs and exerts multiple biological effects (such as anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory, anti-angiogenic and anticancer activities) (12)(13)(14)(15). AITC was found to inhibit cell proliferation and to facilitate apoptosis through Bcl-2/Bax imbalanced expression in human renal carcinoma GRC-1 cells (16).…”

Molecular Mechanisms of the Anti-Cancer Effects of Isothiocyanates from Cruciferous Vegetables in Bladder Cancer

“…AITC is a volatile and water-insoluble compound derived from various cruciferous vegetables that exhibits multiple functions, such as anti-inflammation, neuroprotection, and anti-bacterial activity [38,39]. In addition, AITC is reported to have anti-cancer effects in various types of malignancies [40][41][42]. However, a study showed that AITC had no significant inhibitory effects on cell proliferation or stimulation of apoptosis in the human breast cancer cell line MDA-MB-231 [43].…”

Antiproliferation effect of sulforaphene isolated from radish (Raphanus sativus L.) seeds on A549 cells

“…The early studies focused mainly on the ability of ITCs to inhibit the growth of cancer cells, recent studies showed that ITCs also suppress the survival and proliferation of existing cancer cells. Anticancer potency of ITCs on cancer cells via multiple mechanisms, including inhibition of carcinogen-activating enzymes, induction of carcinogen-detoxification enzymes, induction of apoptosis, and other mechanisms not yet well understood [4][5][6][7][8]. Apoptotic induction is of particular interest because it can be exploited for cancer prevention and treatment.…”

“…Sulforaphane (SFA) obtained from broccoli is the most well-known example of a plant ITC with anticancer properties [5]. SFA was isolated from broccoli extracts as a potent inducer of mammalian cytoprotective enzymes [5][6][7]. Broccoli seeds and sprouts are rich sources of glucoraphanin (GRA), which is the chemical precursor of SFA [9].…”