Tropical Journal of Pharmaceutical Research

Original Research Article | OPEN ACCESS

Eriodictyol modulates glioma cell autophagy and apoptosis by inhibition of PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway

Lang Zeng¹, Wen Fan¹, Liang Tao¹, Song Cao², Yuefei Wang¹, Qin Tu¹

¹Department of Neurosurgery; ²Department of Intensive Care Unit, Tongren Hospital of Wuhan University (Wuhan Third Hospital), Wuhan, Hubei 430070, China.

For correspondence:- Qin Tu Email: dr.tuqin@yahoo.com Tel:+86276539 9972

Accepted: 15 October 2020 Published: 30 November 2020

Citation: Zeng L, Fan W, Tao L, Cao S, Wang Y, Tu Q. Eriodictyol modulates glioma cell autophagy and apoptosis by inhibition of PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway. Trop J Pharm Res 2020; 19(11):2329-2336 doi: 10.4314/tjpr.v19i11.12

© 2020 The authors.
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Abstract

Purpose: To investigate the effects of eriodictyol (ERD) on U251 human glioma cell cycle and viability, autophagy and apoptosis by modulation of PI3/Akt/mTOR signaling cascade.

Methods: 740 Y-P was used to activate U251 human glioma cells. For exploring ERD effects, the U251 cells were treated with ERD and 740 Y-P together. MTT assay was used to elucidate cell viability and apoptosis. The expression of autophagic proteins (LC3B and Beclin-1), and apoptotic proteins (Bcl-2 and Bax) were quantified using Western blotting. To explore the role of PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway, their expression was measured in comparison to their respective phosphorylated derivatives by Western blotting.

Results: ERD exposure downregulated p-PI3K and p-Akt protein expression. The results also indicate that ERD reduced cell viability and stimulated apoptosis in U251 cells (p < 0.05). Consequently, Bax expression was upregulated and the expression of Bcl-2 was downregulated. ERD enhanced the autophagy of glioma cells U251 by enhancing LC3B and Beclin-1 expression (p < 0.05). These effects were opposite to that revealed by 740 Y-P exposure alone.

Conclusion: ERD reduces U251 human glioma cell viability, and triggers cell autophagy and apoptosis, which is significantly correlated to downregulation of PI3K/Akt/mTOR signalling cascade. Thus, the compound can potentially be used for the treatment of glioma.

Keywords: Eriodictyol, Glioma, U251 human glioma cell, Apoptosis, Autophagy