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  3. Inhibitory effect of trans-ferulic acid on proliferation and migration of human lung cancer cells accompanied with increased endogenous reactive oxygen species and β-catenin instability

Inhibitory effect of trans-ferulic acid on proliferation and migration of human lung cancer cells accompanied with increased endogenous reactive oxygen species and β-catenin instability

  • Chin Med. 2016 Oct 1;11:45. doi: 10.1186/s13020-016-0116-7.
Yao Fong  # 1,  Chia-Chun Tang  # 2,  Huei-Ting Hu 3,  Hsin-Yu Fang 4,  Bing-Hung Chen 3 5,  Chang-Yi Wu 3 6,  Shyng-Shiou Yuan 7,  Hui-Min David Wang 8,  Yen-Chun Chen 3,  Yen-Ni Teng 9,  Chien-Chih Chiu 3 6 7 10
Affiliations

Affiliations

  • 1 Department of Thoracic Surgery, Chi-Mei Medical Center, Tainan, 710 Taiwan.
  • 2 Division of Chest, Ten Chan General Hospital, Chung-Li, 320 Taiwan, ROC.
  • 3 Department of Biotechnology, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, 807 Taiwan.
  • 4 Department of Food Nutrition, Chung-Hwa University of Medical Technology, Tainan, 701 Taiwan.
  • 5 The Institute of Biomedical Sciences, National Sun Yat-Sen University, Kaohsiung, 804 Taiwan.
  • 6 Department of Biological Sciences, National Sun Yat-sen University, Kaohsiung, 804 Taiwan.
  • 7 Translational Research Center, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung, 807 Taiwan.
  • 8 Graduate Institute of Biomedical Engineering, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, 402 Taiwan.
  • 9 Department of Biological Sciences and Technology, National University of Tainan, Tainan, 700 Taiwan.
  • 10 Research Center for Environment Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, 807 Taiwan.
  • # Contributed equally.
PMID: 27733866 DOI: 10.1186/s13020-016-0116-7
Abstract

Background: Trans-ferulic (FA) acid exhibits antioxidant effects in vitro. However, the underlying mechanism of trans-FA activity in cellular physiology, especially Cancer physiology, remains largely unknown. This study investigated the cellular physiological effects of trans-FA on the H1299 human lung Cancer cell line.

Methods: The 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl assay was used to determine free radical scavenging capability. Assessment of intracellular Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) was evaluated using oxidized 2',7'-dichlorofluorescin diacetate and dihydroethidium staining. Trypan blue exclusion, colony formation, and anchorage-independent growth assays were used to determine cellular proliferation. Annexin V staining assay was used to assess cellular Apoptosis by flow cytometry. Wound healing and Boyden's well assays were used to detect the migration and invasion of cells. Gelatin zymography was used to detect matrix metalloproteinase (MMP-2 and MMP-9) activity. Western blotting was used to detect expression levels of various signaling pathway proteins.

Results: DPPH assay results indicated that trans-FA exerted potent antioxidant effects. However, trans-FA increased intracellular ROS levels, including hydrogen peroxide and superoxide anion, in H1299 cells. Trans-FA treatment inhibited cellular proliferation and induced moderate apoptotic cell death at the highest concentration used (0.6 mM). Furthermore, trans-FA moderately inhibited the migration of H1299 cells at the concentrations of 0.3 and 0.6 mM and attenuated MMP-2 and MMP-9 activity. Trans-FA caused the phosphorylation of β-catenin, resulting in proteasomal degradation of β-catenin. Conversely, trans-FA treatment increased the expression of pro-apoptotic factor Bax and decreased the expression of pro-survival factor Survivin.

Conclusion: Various concentrations (0.06-0.6 mM) of trans-FA exert both anti-proliferation and anti-migration effects in the human lung Cancer cell line H1299.

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