Tropical Journal of Pharmaceutical Research

Original Research Article | OPEN ACCESS

Bauerenol inhibits proliferation, migration and invasion of retinoblastoma cells via induction of apoptosis, autophagy and cell cycle arrest

Yiyi Chen , Jianjun Peng, Si Cao

Department of Ophthalmology, Wuhan Puren Hospital, Wuhan, Hubei, 430081, China;

For correspondence:- Yiyi Chen Email: 317220769@qq.com Tel:+862786868999

Accepted: 20 June 2022 Published: 31 July 2022

Citation: Chen Y, Peng J, Cao S. Bauerenol inhibits proliferation, migration and invasion of retinoblastoma cells via induction of apoptosis, autophagy and cell cycle arrest. Trop J Pharm Res 2022; 21(7):1377-1382 doi: 10.4314/tjpr.v21i7.3

© 2022 The authors.
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Abstract

Purpose: To determine the anticancer effects of bauerenol on human retinoblastoma cells.

Methods: The effect of bauerenol on cell proliferation was evaluated using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, while cancer cell migration and invasion were determined by Transwell assay. Apoptosis of retinoblastoma cells was assessed by Annexin VFITC/PI staining procedure. Autophagy was evaluated using TEM, while cell cycle was studied by flow cytometry.

Results: Bauerenol significantly inhibited the proliferation of retinoblastoma cells, with a half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) of 10 μM (p < 0.05). However, bauerenol exhibited a comparatively lower antiproliferative effect on normal paediatric retina cells, with a higher IC₅₀ of 100 μM. Annexin V/PI staining results revealed that the antiproliferative effect of bauerenol was due to apoptotic cell death. The proportion of apoptotic SORB-50 cells increased from about 4 % in control to about 19 % on exposure to 20 μM bauerenol. Western blot assay showed marked up-regulation of LC3B II protein, indicating autophagy. Cell cycle analysis showed that the arrest of SO-RB50 cells at the G₂/M phase of the cell cycle markedly contributed to the antiproliferative effects of bauerenol. Moreover, the migration and invasion of SO-RB50 cells were suppressed by bauerenol (p < 0.05).

Conclusion: These results indicate that bauerenol suppresses the growth of retinoblastoma cells. Therefore, it may be a beneficial lead molecule for the development of a suitable agent for the treatment of retinoblastoma.

Keywords: Retinoblastoma, triterpenoid, anticancer, apoptosis, autophagy, migration, invasion, metastasis