Cytotoxic and Apoptotic Effects of Teucrium Polium L Extract on Human Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cell Line SNU-449

Abstract Purpose : The current study aims to evaluate the effects of T. polium extract on the human HCC cell line SNU-449 in vitro and to determine possible cytotoxic, apoptotic and anti-cancer properties. Methods : The MTT assay was performed to determine the dose-dependent effects of T. polium on tumor cell proliferation and to calculate IC50. The colony formation assay was carried out using the IC50 dose of T. polium to evaluate its effects on colony formation. To study the effect of T. polium on in vitro migration of SNU-449 cells, the scratch assay was performed. Finally, Western blotting was performed for caspase-3 and cleaved caspase-3 to study possible apoptotic effects. Results : MTT analysis results demonstrated a dose-dependent decrease in cell viability. IC50 was calculated as 90 μg/mL using measurements from the 48th hour results. The colony formation assay showed that colony formation efficiency was reduced by 50% among SNU-449 cells in the T. polium treated group. With the wound healing assay results, half-gap times for the T. polium treated group and the control group were determined as 50.5 and 28.5 hours, respectively. Comparison of the caspase-3 and cleaved caspase-3 levels measured in T. polium treated cells and control cells by means of Western blotting did not demonstrate a significant difference between the two groups. Conclusion : Reducing proliferation and survival rates in SNU-449 cells, T. polium appears to be a potentially effective antineoplastic agent. However, the cytotoxic effect of T. polium on SNU-449 cells is not mediated by induction of apoptosis.