Tannic Acid Induces Apoptosis In Bladder Cancer Cells Via Mitochondrial-Dependent And AKT Pathway

Abstract

Urothelial bladder cancer is rapidly spreading across Western countries, and therapy has shown little-to-moderate effects on bladder cancer. Thus, focusing on curbing cancer incidence has become crucial. In this study, we examined the effects of tannic acid, a polyphenol with anti-fungal and anti-cancer effects, on UMUC3 bladder cancer cells. UMUC3 cells were exposed to tannic acid for 24 hours, following which we observed significant inhibition of cell proliferation. Additionally, flow cytometry and TUNEL assay revealed that tannic acid induces apoptosis in UMUC3 cells in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, tannic acid treatment upregulated the expression of cleaved caspase-3 which further confirmed induction of apoptosis in UMUC3 cells by treatment with tannic acid. TA treatment decreased stem cell markers expression such as SOX2, OCT4, and NANOG. Together, these results showed that tannic acid can promote apoptosis; therefore, it may have potential as treatment for bladder cancer.