Apocynin Induces Apoptosis in Human Lung Cancer A549 Cells via Regulating Apoptotic Protein and Inflammatory Cytokines

Objectives: Lung cancer, widely considered the leading cause of cancer-related deaths world wide, ranks fourth in terms of its occurrence among all types of malignant tumors. Phytochemicals are the potent alternative for these chemotherapeutic drugs. They have proven to render anticancer effects against various cancers such as breast, liver, brain, lung, skin, bone etc., in vivo, in vitro and even in clinical phase trials. One such phytochemical is apocynin, polyphenolic compound obtained from the Picrorhiza kurroa roots. It is a persuasive anti-inflammatory drug utilized to treat inflammatory ailments like arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, colitis, stroke etc., Materials and Methods: We demonstrated the anticancer activity of apocynin against lung cancer A549 cells. Cytotoxicity effect of apocynin at different dose against A549 cells were assessed with MTT assay. The ROS accumulation and impairment of mitochondrial membrane permeability by apocynin in A549 cells were analyzed with DCFH-DA and Rhodamine 123 staining techniques. Dual staining with AO/EtBr was done to detect the percentage of cell apoptosis induced by apocynin in A549 cells. DAPI staining was performed to detect the induction of nuclear fragmentation in A549. The apoptosis induction and inflammation in A549 cells by apocynin was studied by quantifying the apoptotic proteins and inflammatory cytokines using ELISA technique. Results: Apocynin significantly induced cytotoxicity against A549 cells in dose dependent. It enhanced the caspases, Bax levels and diminished the antiapoptotic protein Bcl2 level. Apocynin also decreased the proinflammatory cytokines thereby prevented the cancer cell growth and aided apoptosis induction in A549.The induction of apoptosis in A549 cells were confirmed with our staining techniques. Conclusion: Our findings of apocynin on A549 cells suggest apocynin may possess possible therapeutic efficacy in treating lung cancer patients.