Astilbin from </em>Smilax glabra</em> Roxb. as a pro-apoptotic agent: cytotoxicity in multiple cancer cell lines and selectivity for 5637 bladder carcinoma

Bao Nguyen; Thi Do; Linh Nguyen; Nga Nguyen; Dang Nguyen; Phuong Nguyen Thi Mai Phuong; Nguyen Thi Trang Huyen

doi:10.15625/2615-9023/22547

Author affiliations

Authors

Nguyen Quoc Bao University of Science and Technology of Hanoi (USTH), Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology (VAST), 18 Hoang Quoc Viet, Cau Giay, Ha Noi 10000, Vietnam
Doan Do Thi University of Science and Technology of Hanoi (USTH), Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology (VAST), 18 Hoang Quoc Viet, Cau Giay, Ha Noi 10000, Vietnam
Nguyen Phuong Linh University of Science and Technology of Hanoi (USTH), Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology (VAST), 18 Hoang Quoc Viet, Cau Giay, Ha Noi 10000, Vietnam
Nguyen Phuong Nga University of Science and Technology of Hanoi (USTH), Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology (VAST), 18 Hoang Quoc Viet, Cau Giay, Ha Noi 10000, Vietnam
Nguyen Hai Dang University of Science and Technology of Hanoi (USTH), Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology (VAST), 18 Hoang Quoc Viet, Cau Giay, Ha Noi 10000, Vietnam
Nguyen Thi Mai Phuong University of Science and Technology of Hanoi (USTH), Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology (VAST), 18 Hoang Quoc Viet, Cau Giay, Ha Noi 10000, Vietnam
Nguyen Thi Trang Huyen University of Science and Technology of Hanoi, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, 18 Hoang Quoc Viet, Ha Noi, Vietnam

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15625/2615-9023/22547

Keywords:

5637 bladder carcinoma, apoptosis, astilbin, anticancer, cytotoxicity, Smilax glabra Roxb

Abstract

This study aims to evaluate the cytotoxic and pro-apoptotic effects of astilbin, derived from Smilax glabra Roxb., on multiple cancer cell lines, including 5637 (human bladder carcinoma), A549 (lung carcinoma), and HeLa (cervical adenocarcinoma), with a focus on apoptosis induction in 5637 cells. Using MTT assays, we observed a dose-dependent cytotoxic effect in both A549 and 5637 cancer cell lines, with the latter showing greater sensitivity to the treatment. Additionally, astilbin demonstrated preferential toxicity toward cancer cells compared to normal HEK-293T cells. Hoechst 33342 staining revealed apoptotic nuclear changes, including chromatin condensation and nuclear fragmentation, in 5637 cells treated with astilbin at varying concentrations. Conventional PCR analysis further confirmed the upregulation of apoptotic markers, including BAX, CASP8, and CASP3, suggesting activation of both intrinsic and extrinsic apoptotic pathways. These findings highlight astilbin’s selective anticancer properties and apoptotic mechanisms. Future studies should focus on optimizing its potency, validating these effects in in vivo models, and exploring its potential in combination therapies.

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